Tequila Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe

Fire up the grill for these unbelievably juicy and sticky Tequila Glazed Chicken Thighs! A show-stopping BBQ recipe that's surprisingly easy to make. The sweet and savory tequila glaze (or pineapple juice alternative!) creates a flavor explosion that will have your guests begging for more. Perfect for summer parties, family dinners, or a weeknight treat!

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 60 mins

Calories 266.7 kcal

Protein 33g

Rating Be the first

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Tequila Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs

Chicken Thighs
Ground Cumin
2 tablespoons chili powder
Kosher Salt
Dried Chipotle Powder
1/2 cup pineapple juice (or 1/3 cup tequila)
1/3 cup tequila (optional, substitute with extra pineapple juice)
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon lime zest
Fresh Lime Juice
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Tequila Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Tequila Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates.
In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Rub this mixture evenly over 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs).
In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup pineapple juice (or 1/3 cup tequila), 1/4 cup honey, and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce heat to low and simmer until the mixture thickens slightly and reduces to about 1/4 cup (about 8-10 minutes).
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until smooth.
Gradually whisk the cornstarch mixture into the simmering sauce. Continue to whisk constantly until the sauce thickens and comes to a boil (about 1 minute).
Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon lime zest and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste).
Place chicken thighs on the preheated grill. Grill for 5 minutes per side over direct heat, basting occasionally with the glaze.
Move chicken to indirect heat, cover the grill, and continue to grill for another 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), basting frequently with the glaze.
Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

12 g

Sugar

59g

Fat

20g

Carbs

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Poultry Chicken Recipes The Americas American Mexican Southern Gluten Free Summer Recipes Game Day Recipes Grilling & Bbq

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Weeknight 60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Preparation Occasion Main Dish Poultry Dinner Party Chicken Meat Chicken Thighs Legs Taste Mood Number Of Servings

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Tequila Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs?

Tequila Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs takes about 75 minutes from start to finish — roughly 15 minutes to prepare and 60 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Tequila Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs?

Tequila Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs has approximately 266.7 calories per serving, with about 33 g protein, 5 g carbohydrates and 22 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Tequila Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs?

The key ingredients for Tequila Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs are Chicken Thighs, Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, Kosher Salt, Dried Chipotle Powder, Pineapple Juice. See the full list with measurements above.