Buffalo Honey Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe
This Buffalo Honey Grilled Chicken Thighs recipe offers a perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors with tender, juicy chicken marinated in a buttermilk and Buffalo sauce mixture, then grilled to perfection with a sticky honey-Buffalo glaze. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a flavorful cookout treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes plus 2 to 8 hours marinating
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ⅓ cup Buffalo Sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Glaze
- ¼ cup Buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large zip-top bag, combine the buttermilk, ⅓ cup Buffalo sauce, honey, garlic powder, and black pepper. Add the chicken thighs to the bag, seal it securely, and refrigerate to marinate for 2 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to infuse and the chicken to tenderize.
- Preheat the Grill: When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure a nicely seared exterior while keeping the chicken juicy inside.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, stir together the remaining ¼ cup Buffalo sauce and 2 tablespoons honey until well combined to create a sweet and spicy glaze for brushing during grilling.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade and place them on the preheated grill. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes on the first side without moving, allowing grill marks to form.
- Apply Glaze and Flip: Flip the chicken thighs over and brush them generously with the Buffalo honey glaze. Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes on the second side to let the glaze set and the chicken cook through.
- Final Glaze and Check Temperature: Flip the chicken thighs once more and brush with the glaze again. Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 170°F (77°C), which ensures the chicken is safely cooked and juicy. Remove from grill and let rest briefly before serving.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours enhances flavor and tenderness, but avoid exceeding 8 hours to prevent overly soft texture.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness and avoid overcooking.
- If you don't have Buffalo sauce, you can substitute with a mix of hot sauce and melted butter for a similar flavor.
- For extra smoky flavor, add wood chips to your grill when preheating.
- Serve with celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing for a classic Buffalo chicken experience.
