Name: California-Style BBQ Chicken Thighs with Grilled Corn Salsa
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs; 1/3 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite, or smoky chipotle for extra flavor); 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 ears of fresh corn, husked; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced; 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced; 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped; Juice of 1 lime

California-Style BBQ Chicken Thighs with Grilled Corn Salsa

MintySpatula7299

These California-style BBQ chicken thighs celebrate the sweet, smoky flavors of summer with a bold spice rub and tangy barbecue glaze. Grilling the chicken over open heat ensures crispy skin and juicy meat, while the vibrant grilled corn salsa adds a fresh, tangy crunch that perfectly balances the richness of the chicken. It’s a recipe inspired by sunny West Coast cookouts—ideal for backyard dinners or easy weekend entertaining. Pair with a crisp salad or cold drinks for the full California experience.

Ingredients

Instructions

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture all over the chicken thighs.
Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates.
Grill the chicken thighs skin-side down for 5-7 minutes, until nicely charred. Flip, baste generously with barbecue sauce, and continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes, turning and basting with more sauce as needed until cooked through (internal temp 175°F).
While the chicken grills, grill the corn, turning occasionally, until lightly charred (about 8 minutes). Remove and let cool slightly.
Cut the grilled corn kernels off the cob and combine in a bowl with cherry tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the BBQ chicken thighs hot, topped with extra barbecue sauce and a hearty scoop of grilled corn salsa.