Caribbean Grilled Chicken Thighs

The best thing about summer is breaking out the grill to make these delicious Caribbean grilled chicken thighs. Making marinated chicken on the grill is one of my favorite ways to cook. This particular grilled chicken marinade is so tasty and simple. The char from the grill adds just the right amount of crunch and spice to these incredible grilled chicken thighs.

The first time I made these grilled chicken thighs with the Caribbean marinade I wasn’t sure how my family would react. I was pleased to find out that they loved it! This is one of those marinated chicken recipes that we make on a regular basis now.

Grilled chicken thighs VS. chicken breasts:

A lot of people go right for chicken breasts when they’re making grilled chicken, I think you’d be missing out by not using thighs for this recipe. It actually makes a big difference in taste and I think the thighs grill up nicer!

Another reason I prefer to use thighs when grilling is because they are more forgiving. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are popular but they are so easy to overcook and dry out, I’ve found that thighs are a little easier to work with and cook more evenly.

Finally, the thighs are much more budget friendly! Chicken breasts get all the glory but thighs are the unsung hero. They are more affordable, more versatile, and if they’re Bobby Flay’s preferred cut of chicken, who am I to argue?! If your chicken thighs come with extra fat or skin you can easily remove that with a pair of kitchen shears. Trimming your thighs before marinating and grilling will help prevent flare-ups on the grill as well as reduce the fat and calories in your meal.

How long to grill chicken thighs:

Chicken thighs will take between 4 and 6 minutes per side to grill over medium heat. When cooking grilled chicken, how long depends on a lot of factors: the temperature outside, the consistency of your grill heat, and even how many times you check on them!

The best thing you can do is trust the process. The delicious grilled chicken marinade is going to create the best kind of sticky, crispy, charred chicken that is bursting with flavor. Everyone will devour it the minute you put it on the table.

What is the best grilled chicken temp for cooking?

The grilled chicken temp should be between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s typically a  medium heat setting on a gas grill and if you are cooking over charcoal (which I think is best for this recipe) you’ll want to wait until your coals have a nice even burn. Putting the chicken on too soon can cause flare ups and uneven cooking.

All grilled chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165F to be safe for eating. Reaching that temperature might be different for each piece of meat depending on thickness and where it’s placed on the grill. Your best bet is to use a meat thermometer to remove any guess work about when the chicken is done.

Ingredients needed for Caribbean grilled chicken thighs and marinade:

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make my Caribbean grilled chicken thighs for four people. This recipe is easy to double or even triple if you want to prep some in advance or are cooking for a large group.

You can easily freeze these grilled chicken thighs for later use. They retain their flavor and moisture and thawing them out is a breeze. Perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something quick and delicious.

• 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup green onions, chopped thinly
• ¼ cup lime juice, fresh or bottled
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 large garlic clove, minced

Can I put this Caribbean marinade on different meats?

I love putting this marinade on chicken thighs but it would also be really tasty as a marinade for pork! A lot of Caribbean flavors transfer between pork and chicken dishes easily, I’d definitely recommend trying this marinade on pork chops or even a pork loin.

How to make Caribbean grilled chicken thighs:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until well combined.

Add chicken to the marinade.

Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 8 hours.

Heat up the grill.

Place chicken on the grill and cook over medium coals 4-6 minutes or until browned.

Turn chicken and continue grilling for 4-6 minutes.

Remove from grill when browned and serve immediately.

Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Wondering what to serve with your new favorite chicken thighs recipe?

Some of my favorite side dishes to pair with this marinated chicken on the grill are rice, grilled or baked vegetables, and pineapple salsa! There’s just something about this Caribbean grilled chicken that tastes like summer. It goes great with fresh veggies from the farmers market or the garden.

Print

Note: The nutrition facts I have calculated include all the marinade. You will not actually consume all of the marinade so your nutrition facts could be lower than the numbers included on this recipe.

Find more FASTer Way to Fat Loss recipes here or follow my FWTFL pinterest board for even more ideas!