Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs

Name: Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 Bone-in, skin on chicken thighs; 1 cups Dill pickle juice; 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tbsp All purpose seasoning; 5 oz Plain greek yogurt; 1/4 cup Mayo; 1/4 cup Dill pickle juice; 5-6 Pickles, diced; 4-5 sprigs Fresh dill, diced; Cracked black pepper and salt

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If you’re looking for a simple way to make incredibly juicy, flavorful chicken, these Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs are a game changer. Marinated in tangy pickle juice, seasoned to perfection, and grilled over open flames, this recipe delivers tender, smoky chicken with a subtle zesty kick you won’t forget.

Pickle brining is one of the easiest secrets to locking in moisture and boosting flavor. This easy grilled chicken thigh recipe is perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or backyard cookouts.

Looking for more grilled chicken recipes packed with flavor, then you have to try Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken, Sweet Tea Brined Chicken or this Cherry Coke BBQ Chicken.

Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs on plate.

What does Pickle Brine do for the Chicken?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients Needed to Make Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken
Prepare the Pickle Brine
How to Grill the Perfect Chicken Thighs
Flavor Variations
How to make the perfect Pickle Dipping Sauce
Serving Suggestions
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions:
The Most Popular Grilled Chicken Recipes
Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs Recipe

What does Pickle Brine do for the Chicken?

This Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs are not just flavorful, but extra tender and juice. Why? The acidity from pickle juice helps tenderize the meat, while the salt and spices infuse it with bold flavor. When grilled, the result is juicy, tender chicken with a lightly tangy, savory profile.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Extra juicy and tender chicken
Unique tangy flavor from pickle brine
Perfectly charred on the grill
Minimal prep, big results
Great for meal prep or cookouts
High protein, budget friendly

Ingredients Needed to Make Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken

Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thigh ingredients.

Chicken thighs: I used bone-in, skin on. Thighs stay juicy and flavorful on the grill, making them perfect for this recipe.
Pickle juice: the star ingredient used for the brine. Adds a tangy flavor and tenderizes the chicken. Dill pickle juice works best.
Pickles: texture and crunch to the dill pickle dipping sauce.
Yogurt: creamy, tangy base for the dipping sauce.
Dill: fresh, herby aromatics that add vibrancy to the dipping sauce and balancing the vinegar based pickle juice.
Seasoning: an All Purpose rub for the chicken to add savoriness to the dish.

Prepare the Pickle Brine

The star of this Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs recipe is in the brine itself. Simple, but bold enough to tenderize the chicken infusing it with a lot of amazing flavor.

In a large container or bowl, add a jar of pickle juice. Dill juice is best. Next add some Worcestershire sauce to balance the acidity with some savory flavors and add in your raw chicken.

I used bone-in, skin on chicken thighs, however any cut of chicken will work. Boneless, skinless, chicken breast, or whole chicken. Use what you enjoy most.

Place the marinating chicken in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or ideally 3-4 hours. I do not recommend prepping the brine the night before and marinating it for 12 or more hours. The vinegar will over tenderize the meat.

Dad’s Seasonings

Must have grillin seasonings!

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How to Grill the Perfect Chicken Thighs

I used my charcoal grill for these Grilled Pickle Brined Chicken Thighs, but any grill, stove top or oven will do. Just make sure you have it set to high heat and the internal temps are correct.

Preheat the grill to a high 425 degrees Fahrenheit and set it for dual zone grilling.

How to create an indirect heat zone on grills

Dual zone heat set up on a charcoal grill.

Indirect heat zones are created differently depending on the type of grill you have.

Gas grill: Turn the burners on one half of the grill. For indirect heat, place food on the opposite end.
Charcoal grill: position the heated charcoal to one half of the round bowl. For indirect heat, place the food on the opposite end.
Komodo style grill: use a plate setter that will deflect direct heat from the food on the grates.

Remove the brined chicken from the container and season both sides with Dad’s All Purpose seasoning.

Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs on the indirect side of a charcoal grill.

Start by placing the pickle brined chicken skin side up on the indirect side first and cook for 10-15 minutes. I like starting the chicken on the indirect side first as it helps dry out the outside and get the skin nice and crispy.

Move it to the direct side and cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 175 degrees. Not only does this help the skin get nice and crispy, but because thighs have dark meat and are bone-in, you will not overcook the meat, trust me.

Once the chicken reaches it’s final cooked temperature, remove the thighs from the grill and let them rest for 10 minutes.

Flavor Variations

Want to add a little more flavor or variety to this brine? Consider a spicy, sweet or citrusy touch:

Spicy Version: Add cayenne or hot sauce
Sweet & Tangy: Add honey glaze at the end
Garlic Herb: Add fresh herbs and garlic
Citrus Twist: Add lemon zest and juice

How to make the perfect Pickle Dipping Sauce

The perfect compliment to the Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs is a creamy and tangy dipping sauce.

In a bowl, add plain greek yogurt, mayo, pickle juice, diced pickles and freshly chopped dill. Mix the ingredients together. For a smoother sauce, add more pickle juice. Finally, finish off with freshly cracked black pepper and some salt if needed.

Serving Suggestions

These Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs go perfect with some roasted potatoes or a simple and easy Potato Salad if hosting a BBQ party.

Final Thoughts

These Grilled Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs are juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. The pickle brine adds a unique tangy twist while keeping the chicken tender and moist on the grill.

If you’re looking to upgrade your grilled chicken game with minimal effort, this recipe is a must try.

Simple ingredients. Big flavor. Perfect results every time.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How to keep chicken thighs moist while grilling?

The best method to ensure juicy grilled chicken thighs is to grill indirect heat until the internal temperature reads 175 degrees. Remove them from the grill and rest for 10 minutes. This will redistribute the juices throughout the meat.
Other options include marinades and brines.

Will the chicken taste like pickles?

Slightly tangy, but not overpowering, just a subtle flavor boost.

Can I replace chicken thighs with chicken breast?

Yes, in any chicken recipe, you can swap the protein cuts. If you are grilling chicken breast instead of thighs, remove the meat once the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit and let it rest to bring it up to 165 degrees.