Charcoal-Grilled Beer-Brined Chicken Thighs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs brined in beer and herbs, grilled over charcoal for a tender, smoky flavor with a crisp skin. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 285 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, lager beer, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 270 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups lager beer, 2 cups water, 1/4 cup kosher salt, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 4 fresh thyme sprigs, and 1 tbsp black peppercorns. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve completely to make the brine.
  2. Step 2: Submerge 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs fully in the brine. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours to allow the meat to absorb moisture and flavor.
  3. Step 3: Remove the chicken thighs from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Rub 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over the skin and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Step 4: Preheat a charcoal grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down directly over the coals. Grill for 6-7 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden.
  5. Step 5: Flip the chicken thighs and continue grilling for another 6-8 minutes with the lid closed, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
  6. Step 6: Remove the chicken from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Charcoal-Grilled Beer-Brined Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 285 minutes (270 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Charcoal-Grilled Beer-Brined Chicken Thighs?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lager beer from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charcoal-Grilled Beer-Brined Chicken Thighs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Charcoal-Grilled Beer-Brined Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Charcoal-Grilled Beer-Brined Chicken Thighs?

American bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes