The summer is all about getting recipes on the table quickly and the Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs deliver on speed and taste. These are great for dinner or when you need to heat up some leftovers the next day!

If you want another fantastic grilling recipe, try our Chicken Spiedini or Grilled Stuffed Pork Chops.

Looking for more delicious chicken recipes? Try ourCreamy Lemon Butter Chicken Breastor PERFECT Cast Iron Chicken Breast.

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Quick Summer Grilling

This recipe is perfect for the summer. We're always looking to add a protein to our meal that can easily be reheated, like Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Thighs. Chicken thighs are perfect for reheating because it takes a lot for them to get dry!

Don't get me wrong, I love a good burger whether it be a Greek chicken burger or a bacon blue cheese burger. But burgers get old and it's good to eat on the lighter side in the summer because we're always moving around.

So, whether you're looking for an easy summer meal prep or you're cooking for the family BBQ, these chicken thighs are a simple addition to the menu. No matter what my dad was cooking on the grill he always had some chicken going too, whether it was lemon chicken or chicken marinated in Chipotle BBQ Sauce. If the grill is on, might as well use it and have some leftovers for the next day!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

The ingredients are super simple for this recipe. There isn't much to substitute or replace. Make sure to salt and pepper your chicken thighs before you marinate them.

Otherwise, high-quality ingredients yield high-quality results. When you're looking for your chicken thighs, consider shopping at a local farm! You can substitute chicken breast if you prefer.

How to make Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

The first step to these thighs is marinating them. This will give a good flavor base when they're on the grill.

Step 1: Make the marinade by combining half the minced garlic, half the parsley, lemon zest from one lemon, olive oil, and juice from 1 lemon. Whisk together. Or use our Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette!

Step 2:Season chicken with salt and pepper. Mix the chicken into the marinade well and marinate for 1-3 hours.

Step 3: Preheat the grill to high heat. Saute butter over medium-low heat. Add the rest of the garlic, parsley, and peppercorn. Saute for about 3 minutes. Squeeze in the juice from half a lemon and remove from the heat.

Step 4: Place chicken on the grill and sear for 3 minutes. Place a half lemon on the grill as well. Flip the chicken sear for another 2 minutes. Turn one burner off and move the chicken to indirect heat. Cook each side for another 6 minutes. Use a cooking brush to brush on the sauce occasionally.

Step 5: Once the chicken reaches 165 -185 degrees F, remove from the grill. Squeeze the lemon juice over the chicken and serve.

I love to serve simple dishes like this with something a little more complex or rich, like Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pastaor Gorgonzola Risotto with Mushrooms. It's a great way to balance the flavor of a dish with a lot of depth with some simple but delicious grilled chicken. Or keep it simple and make some Italian Grilled Eggplant and Creamy Corn Orzo.

Pro-Tips

Make sure to get a good sear on the chicken before placing it in indirect heat.
I like to cook chicken thighs to about 180 degrees F. The texture at 165 can be a little soft and fatty. 180 is the perfect temperature.

grilled lemon pepper chicken thighs served on a plate

What to Serve Them With

Serve them with cold pasta like Caprese Tortellini Salador Italian Pasta Salad.
Or cook a quick pasta dish like Pasta with Cauliflower, Artichoke Pesto Pasta, or 15-Minute Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil.
Add some vegetables to the meal and have a side of Lacinato Kale,Italian Green Bean Salad,Grilled Foil Potatoes (3 Ways), or Summer Farro Salad with Cannellini Beans.
Make a salad ahead of time, so all you have left to do is grill the chicken. Try our Mediterranean Lentil Salad with Goat Cheese or Chickpea Cucumber Feta Salad.

Recipe FAQs

How do I grill my chicken so it's not dry?

My number 1 piece of advice is to get an instant-read thermometer. It is the easiest way to make sure you're not overcooking your chicken. The second thing is to try not to flip your chicken a bunch. You want to leave it alone and let it cook. The maximum amount of times I will flip my chicken on the grill is twice.

How long does it take to cook chicken thighs?

It depends on how long you're cooking them. We cooked them in indirect heat so it took about 10 minutes total per side. But if you're cooking directly on the heat it could be as quick as 6-7 minutes per side.