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If you grill as much as we do during the warmer months, you know how easy it is to fall into a chicken rut. This quick and flavorful recipe is one of my favorite ways to shake things up—simple pantry spices, minimal prep, and reliably delicious results.
These spicy grilled chicken thighs are juicy, smoky, and just the right balance of sweet heat. They come together fast, making them perfect for easy weeknight dinners.
Why You’ll Love It
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Simple spice rub—no marinating required
- Juicy, flavorful, and hard to overcook
- Great for meal prep or grilling season
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Brown sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the spice and helps create a nice caramelized exterior. You can substitute coconut sugar or a sugar-free brown sugar alternative.
- Paprika – Brings mild smoky flavor and color. Smoked paprika works especially well here for extra depth.
- Onion powder – Adds savory flavor without the need for chopping. You can substitute a little grated onion if preferred.
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors.
- Chili powder – Provides warmth and a mild kick. Adjust to taste or swap with cayenne for more heat or a mild blend for less spice.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4 ounces each) – Stay tender and juicy on the grill. You can substitute chicken breasts if you prefer a leaner option, but watch closely to avoid overcooking.
Calories and WW Points
According to my calculations, each serving of spicy grilled chicken thighs has 176 calories and 1 WW Point.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
5 PointsPlus (Old plan)
How to Make Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs
Step 1: In a small bowl (affiliate link), mix together the brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, salt, and chili powder.
Step 2: Rub the spice mixture evenly over the chicken thighs.
Step 3: Lightly oil the grill grates using a paper towel and tongs.
Step 4: Grill chicken over medium heat for 5–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (internal temp 170°F for thighs).
Step 5: Let rest briefly, then serve.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- No thermometer? Pierce the chicken—juices should run clear when done.
- Chicken thighs are forgiving and stay juicy even if slightly overcooked.
- Prefer chicken breasts? They work well—just reduce cook time slightly.
- Want more heat? Add a pinch of cayenne or extra chili powder.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with grilled vegetables for an easy summer dinner
- Pair with a simple green salad
- Slice and add to wraps, bowls, or tacos
If you’ve made these Grilled Spicy Chicken Thighs, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (4 ounces each)
Instructions
- Combine the brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, salt and chili powder and rub all over the chicken.
- Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil. Using long-handled tongs, lightly coat the grill rack with the oil.
- Grill the chicken thighs, covered, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, until opaque and cooked through or until a thermometer reads 170°F.
- If you don’t have a thermometer, to test for doneness, pierce a thigh with a knife and, if the juice is clear, the thighs are done.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 5 PointsPlus (Old plan) The only change I made was to use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. I think they are more flavorful. And the thighs stay moist and tender, even if left on the grill a little too long. While the chicken cooks, you can grill some vegetables or toss together a simple salad.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Source: Recipe adapted from Sweet and Spicy Grilled Chicken
More WW Friendly Chicken Thighs Recipes
- Chicken drizzled with olive oil, lemon juice and seasoned with a little oregano, paprika, salt and pepper, Simple Baked Lemon Chicken Thighs make a super easy weeknight meal.
- Soaked in a delicious ginger-lime marinade for several hours and then grilled until tender, Weight Watchers Grilled Ginger Lime Chicken are a family favorite!
- Serve this Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Beer and Herbs de Provence with mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, rice or warm crusty bread to soak up every drop of the flavorful sauce.
Hi Martha,
Wondering if this can be prepared in an air fryer and of so, what would you recommend for temperature and cooking time?
With much appreciation,
Char
Hi Charlene,
I’m sure that these can be prepared in the air fryer. However I’ve never cooked them this way.
Here’s what I learned from Google Research: When cooking boneless, skinless chicken thighs in an air fryer, the recommended temperature is 375°F (190°C) and the cooking time is about 12-15 minutes. However, the exact cooking time can vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken thighs, as well as the specific model of air fryer you are using.
To ensure that the chicken thighs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C), it’s important to use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken before removing it from the air fryer. This will help you avoid undercooking or overcooking the chicken.
Hope this helps. ~Martha
We really liked this dinner. The rub is great. I was hesitant to make it because the name says spicy! It wasn’t spicy the way I made it!!! First time I cooked the chicken in a skillet on the stove. Yesterday I made it in the crock pot! Delish both ways! Very tender. Thank you Martha for another great recipe!!!
Joyce, love that you modified the recipe to work in both a skillet and crock pot! ~Martha
Delicious rub – using chicken thighs means that the result is tender, juicy chicken – LOVE!
Please enter me in the drawing for the grill.
I would make the “Spicey grilled chicken thighs”.
I would do the spicy grilled chicken thighs first on the grill. I love Mexican food and so often it is just loaded with unnecessary calories even doing it at home, so this recipe is right up my alley with a little kick and very few Smart Points. I’m in!