Juicy Grilled Honey Buffalo Chicken Thighs Recipe for Summer

Grilled honey buffalo chicken thighs deliver a tantalizing fusion of sweet and spicy flavors that dance on your palate.

Tender chicken redefines into a mouthwatering meal with this simple yet remarkable technique.

The combination captures the essence of comfort food with a gourmet twist.

Bold buffalo sauce mingles seamlessly with golden honey, creating a glaze that caramelizes beautifully during grilling.

Each bite promises a perfect balance between heat and sweetness, elevating a classic protein into something extraordinary.

Marinades work magic in infusing deep, complex layers of taste into every morsel.

Weekend cookouts or weeknight dinners will never be the same with this game-changing recipe.

Sauce Variations to Keep Things Interesting

• Spicy Chipotle Honey Chicken: Replace buffalo sauce with chipotle peppers in adobo for a smoky, intense heat that complements the honey's sweetness.
• Asian-Inspired Glazed Thighs: Swap buffalo sauce for a blend of soy sauce, ginger, and sriracha, creating a tangy Asian-inspired marinade that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.
• Lemon Herb Infusion: Substitute buffalo sauce with a mixture of fresh lemon juice, rosemary, and thyme, offering a bright, aromatic alternative that lightens the dish's flavor profile.
• Caribbean Jerk Transformation: Use jerk seasoning instead of buffalo sauce, combining traditional Jamaican spices with honey for a tropical, spicy-sweet grilled chicken experience.

Why Honey Buffalo Thighs Are So Crave-Worthy

• Ignite Bold Flavor Explosion: The honey-buffalo sauce creates a mouthwatering blend of sweet and spicy that transforms ordinary chicken thighs into an extraordinary meal.
• Master Quick and Easy Grilling: This recipe requires minimal prep time and simple ingredients, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or casual weekend cookouts with minimal cooking skills needed.
• Achieve Perfectly Juicy Texture: Slow grilling at medium-low heat ensures the chicken remains tender and moist, preventing dryness while developing a delicious caramelized exterior that locks in incredible flavor.
• Customize for Any Crowd: The versatile sauce and simple method allow easy adaptation for different taste preferences, making it a crowd-pleasing dish that works for family meals, game day gatherings, or summer barbecues.

Your Ingredient List for a Backyard Favorite

• Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless cuts perfect for grilling, delivering tender and juicy meat.

• Buffalo Sauce, Honey: Combines tangy heat with sweet balance for a complex flavor profile.
• Garlic Cloves: Fresh and aromatic ingredient that provides depth to the marinade.

• Black Pepper, Salt, Parsley: Classic seasonings that boost the overall taste and add subtle herbal notes.
• Chopped Green Onions: Optional fresh topping that brings a crisp and bright finish to the dish.

Grilling Chicken Thighs with Big Flavor

Step 1: Whip Up the Zesty Sauce

• Buffalo sauce
• Honey
• Minced garlic

Blend these ingredients until they create a smooth, tangy mixture that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Massage Chicken with Flavor

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried parsley

Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the honey-buffalo sauce over the chicken, massaging it into every nook and cranny.

Step 3: Fire Up the Grill

Preheat your grill to medium-low heat. Place chicken thighs on the grates with the smooth side facing down. Cook slowly to lock in those incredible juices.

Step 4: Flip and Brush

Rotate the chicken every 3-4 minutes, ensuring even cooking. During the last few turns, brush generously with the remaining honey-buffalo sauce.

Step 5: Check for Perfect Doneness

Cook until chicken juices run clear and the internal temperature hits 165°F to 170°F on a meat thermometer.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

Remove chicken from the grill and sprinkle with freshly chopped green onions. Serve alongside your favorite summer side dishes and prepare for a flavor explosion.

Tips for Crispy Edges and Juicy Meat

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let chicken thighs sit in the honey-buffalo sauce for 30 minutes before grilling to enhance depth and tenderness.
• Control Grill Temperature: Maintain medium-low heat to prevent burning and ensure even cooking, keeping the meat juicy and preventing flare-ups.
• Check Meat Doneness Accurately: Use a digital meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked thighs.
• Rest Meat After Grilling: Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes after cooking, which helps redistribute juices and keeps the meat incredibly succulent.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust buffalo sauce quantity to match your heat preference, mixing mild and hot sauces for a personalized flavor profile.

Best Ways to Save and Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat: Warm chicken gently in the microwave at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Freeze: Wrap individual chicken thighs tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Sides and Sips That Love This Chicken

• Sip Cool Blue Brew: Pair these spicy-sweet grilled chicken thighs with a crisp blue moon wheat beer that balances the buffalo sauce's heat while complementing the honey's sweetness.
• Crunch Fresh Slaw: Serve alongside a tangy coleslaw with apple cider vinegar dressing, which cuts through the rich chicken and provides a refreshing, crunchy contrast.
• Mellow Creamy Dip: Create a quick ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce to cool down the buffalo sauce's intensity and add a creamy texture that enhances the grilled chicken's flavor profile.
• Zest Green Side: Add grilled asparagus or roasted Brussels sprouts with a light lemon zest to bring a bright, green vegetable element that lightens the dish's robust flavors.

Grilled Honey Buffalo Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling honey buffalo chicken thighs deliver a perfect balance of sweet, spicy heat with crispy grilled edges. Succulent chicken marinated in zesty buffalo sauce and golden honey creates an irresistible meal that brings bold flavors to your summer grill.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (0.91 kilograms) chicken thighs, boneless and skinless

Sauce and Sweeteners:

• 0.25 cup (59 milliliters) buffalo sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) honey

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon dried parsley

Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant honey-buffalo sauce by whisking together tangy buffalo sauce, golden honey, and aromatic minced garlic to create a complex flavor foundation.
2. Massage the boneless chicken thighs with a blend of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried parsley, ensuring even seasoning across all surfaces.
3. Incorporate a portion of the prepared honey-buffalo glaze directly onto the seasoned chicken, allowing the marinade to penetrate the meat’s fibers.
4. Preheat the grill to a gentle medium-low temperature, creating an ideal cooking environment for maintaining the chicken’s moisture and tenderness.
5. Position the chicken thighs on the grill’s surface, smooth side facing downward, and allow them to cook methodically, rotating every 3-4 minutes to ensure uniform caramelization.
6. During the final cooking stages, liberally brush the remaining honey-buffalo sauce over the chicken, enhancing its flavor profile and creating a glossy, appetizing exterior.
7. Verify the chicken’s doneness by checking that internal temperature reaches 165°F-170°F and the juices appear completely clear.
8. Transfer the grilled thighs from the heat, allowing a brief resting period to redistribute internal juices.
9. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions, adding a crisp, bright element to the richly glazed chicken.
10. Plate alongside complementary grilled accompaniments and savor the harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors.

Notes

• Perfect for summer gatherings, these thighs burst with tangy-sweet flavor that’ll make everyone’s taste buds dance.
• Marinating briefly enhances the chicken’s tenderness and allows the honey-buffalo sauce to deeply penetrate the meat.
• Quick grilling technique ensures juicy results without drying out the delicate chicken thighs, creating a restaurant-quality meal at home.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg