Grilled Green Goddess Chicken Thighs Recipe

If you crave dinner magic that feels both effortless and wildly delicious, these Grilled Green Goddess Chicken Thighs will absolutely win you over. Juicy, marinated chicken paired with an herby, creamy sauce turns an everyday meal into a celebration of bold, fresh flavors.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One look at this ingredient list and you’ll see: nothing complicated here, yet every element brings essential flavor, richness, freshness, or juiciness. Let’s break down why these items are the stars of these Grilled Green Goddess Chicken Thighs.

• Greek yogurt: The creamy base for both marinade and sauce, adding tang while keeping the chicken ultra-moist and tender.
• Olive oil: Infuses the chicken with richness and helps lock in moisture as it grills.
• Lightly packed herbs (like parsley, basil, cilantro, chives, or dill): They’re the “green” in Green Goddess—choose your faves for layers of bright, garden-fresh flavor!
• Green onions: Offer a mellow, savory backbone that rounds out the herbal notes.
• Garlic: Because every great marinade needs a little kick and aromatic complexity.
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds a whisper of umami that takes things from “good” to “can I have more please?”
• Kosher salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors to life.
• Lemon juice: For punchy brightness and a touch of acidity that makes the chicken sing.
• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Juicy, flavorful, quick-cooking, and the ideal blank canvas for major flavor infusion.

Variations

No two cravings are ever quite the same, and these Grilled Green Goddess Chicken Thighs are blissfully easy to adapt. Switch up the herbs, play with protein, or tweak to fit your mood or the season—flexibility is the name of the game!

• Make It Dairy-Free: Swap Greek yogurt for an unsweetened, plain non-dairy yogurt; you’ll still get all that creaminess and flavor.
• Herb Switch-Up: Try all cilantro and mint for a more Mediterranean vibe, or herbs de Provence for a Frenchy twist.
• Try Different Proteins: This marinade is dreamy on chicken breasts, drumsticks, or even salmon fillets and shrimp—just adjust grill times accordingly.
• Add Some Spice: Stir a little crushed red pepper or fresh jalapeño into the marinade for extra zing.

How to Make Grilled Green Goddess Chicken Thighs

Step 1: Make the Green Goddess Sauce

In a food processor or blender, combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil, your favorite mix of fresh herbs, green onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and bright lemon juice. Blitz everything together until you have a creamy, dreamy, vividly green sauce that smells as inviting as it looks! This “green goddess” base will both marinate the chicken and double as a spoonable sauce at the table.

Step 2: Divide the Sauce

Scoop out about half the sauce—roughly 1 cup—and stash it away in a jar or airtight container in the fridge. Trust me, this is the secret to those vibrant, saucy drizzles later. The other half will bathe your chicken in flavor from the inside out.

Step 3: Marinate the Chicken Thighs

Place your boneless, skinless chicken thighs into a large bowl, zip-top bag, or shallow dish. Pour the remaining Green Goddess sauce over the chicken and massage it in so every piece is coated. Let it work its magic for at least 30 minutes, or let those flavors get to know each other overnight for extra punch! If marinating longer, keep it all chilled in the fridge.

Step 4: Grill to Juicy Perfection

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat while the chicken soaks up all that herby goodness. Once the grill’s hot, lay the marinated chicken thighs on the grates. Grill for about 5 minutes per side, flipping as needed—usually two or three times—until the chicken gets those irresistible grill marks and reaches 175–180°F inside. (Don’t worry, thighs stay super moist even when cooked past the “safe” 165°F mark.)

Step 5: Rest, Serve, and Sauce It Up!

Once cooked, let the chicken rest on a plate covered gently with foil for 5 minutes so the juices settle. Serve your Grilled Green Goddess Chicken Thighs piled high and topped with that extra reserved sauce for a glossy, fresh, and utterly crave-worthy finish!

How to Serve Grilled Green Goddess Chicken Thighs

Garnishes

For a showstopping finish, shower your Grilled Green Goddess Chicken Thighs with a scattering of extra fresh herbs, a few thinly sliced green onions, or even a little squeeze of lemon juice right before serving. That vivid pop of green and the freshness from the herbs add instant appeal and a burst of aroma.

Side Dishes

This chicken loves company! Pair it with fluffy rice, grilled vegetables, or a crunchy slaw. It’s also dreamy alongside garlicky new potatoes, or piled into a pita or flatbread with crisp lettuce and tangy pickles—the Green Goddess sauce ties every side together.

Creative Ways to Present

Elevate the everyday by slicing the chicken thighs and serving over loaded salads, wrapping in lettuce cups for a pretty appetizer, or threading pieces onto skewers for a fun platter-style presentation. Or, lay out a make-your-own wrap station with all your favorite toppings and let everyone dig in!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Grilled Green Goddess Chicken Thighs keep beautifully! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep the leftover sauce separate, if possible, to maintain its bright, fresh flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked chicken thighs for up to 2 months. Place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, making sure to remove as much air as possible to keep them from drying out. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a covered skillet over low heat or in the microwave with a splash of water to keep it moist. Add fresh herb garnish and extra sauce right before serving to revive all those colorful flavors.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

These Grilled Green Goddess Chicken Thighs always feel like a little personal gift to myself—they’re fast, flavor-packed, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser any night of the week. Don’t hesitate to make them your own. Grab those herbs, fire up your grill, and let every bite remind you just how wonderful homemade can be!

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