Charcoal-Grilled Citrus-Herb Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a vibrant blend of citrus and fresh herbs, grilled over charcoal for a smoky finish. This Mediterranean-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 cloves minced garlic, 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the marinade. Whisk well until fully blended.
- Step 2: Place 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag, massage the marinade into the chicken, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Step 3: Prepare a charcoal grill by lighting the coals until they are covered with white ash, creating a medium-high heat zone around 400°F. Oil the grill grates with a paper towel dipped in olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Remove chicken thighs from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and place them skin-side down directly over the coals. Grill for 6-7 minutes until the skin is crisp and charred at the edges.
- Step 5: Flip the chicken and move it to indirect heat, cooking for an additional 10-12 minutes with the grill lid closed until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached and juices run clear.
- Step 6: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.









