Dill Pickle Chicken Thighs

By Emily Richter

5/24/2024

Calling all pickle lovers, these Dill Pickle Chicken Thighs are made on the grill and will be your new favorite dinner!

The chicken thighs bine in dill pickle juice and then are grilled to juicy perfection. A vibrant and creamy dill sauce is served on top for an extra burst of flavor.

Grilled chicken breasts served with pickles and a dollop of sauce on a plate. - 3

I love to let my chicken brine in pickle juice. I know, it sounds a little odd, but it is the year of the pickle after all! Brining in pickle juice not only adds a delicious tangy flavor but also helps to tenderize the meat. The longer you let the chicken sit in the brine, the more flavorful and tender it will be! It’s got all the benefits of a marinade without having to do any prep work.

You really just soak it in pickle juice, grill it, and you’re done! It’s a quick and easy meal that will be an instant family favorite. These dill pickle grilled boneless chicken thighs are perfect for summer cookouts or lazy weeknight dinners.

What You Need for Pickle Brined Chicken Thighs

Boneless Chicken thighs: We love the way dark meat cooks up juicy and flavorful on the grill. Boneless, skinless thighs are easy to work with and cook evenly.
Dill pickle juice: A jar of pickle juice from Milwaukee or Clausen brands is best!
Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the dill pickle chicken recipe.
2% Greek yogurt: This helps to make the dill pickle sauce creamy and tangy.
Mayonnaise: Another key ingredient for making a rich and creamy dill sauce.
Fresh dill: Amps up the pickle flavor and adds a fresh herbaceous note.

Our Recipe Testing Process

We tested this using Grillo’s brand pickle juice, which wasn’t salty enough for a brine.
We do not recommend using butter pickle juice, as it will drastically change the flavor profile.

A glass bowl containing sour cream, dill, and a liquid, possibly part of a recipe preparation. - 6

Top Tips for Grilling Chicken Thighs

Grill at 400ºF for around 4-5 minutes on each side.
Cook until chicken reaches 160ºF – 165ºF.
Let rest for 10 minutes after grilling.

Try it!

Thermoworks Thermapen

I never cook pork chops , or really any meat grilling recipes , without a good meat thermometer . It takes the guesswork out of grilling and ensures perfectly cooked chops every time. My favorite is the Thermapen from ThermoWorks . It’s fast and accurate for checking internal temperatures .

Ingredient Swaps & Add-Ins

Experience different flavors and textures by swapping or adding in ingredients to this dill pickle chicken recipe. Here are a few ideas:

Use different cuts of chicken: Chicken breasts, drumsticks, or even wings would all work well in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust cook times accordingly.

Spice it up: Add some heat by adding your favorite hot sauce to the pickle brine. You can also sprinkle some chili powder or red pepper flakes on the chicken before grilling.

Make a pickle slaw: Toss together shredded cabbage, grated carrots, and sliced dill pickles for a tangy slaw to serve on top of the chicken.

Squeezing lemon juice over grilled chicken breasts. - 8

Other Cooking Methods for Chicken Thighs

Baking instructions: Transfer the chicken thighs into an oven-safe dish. Bake at 400ºF for around 18-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF – 165ºF .

Grilling instructions: Preheat the grill to 400ºF . Grill chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes over direct heat on each side or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160ºF .

Grilled chicken strips on a plate with pickles and a dollop of dipping sauce. - 9

How to Store

Store leftover dill pickle chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days . To reheat, place the chicken on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes .

What to Serve with Dill Pickle Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs

This pickle juice chicken would pair wonderfully with other summery foods and drinks. To keep the pickle theme going, we recommend our Dill Pickle Chicken Salad and Spicy Pickle Margarita .

You would also LOVE our Garlic Lemon Pasta Salad with Fresh Herbs , Summer Corn Salad , or Easy Bean Salad !

Ingredients1x2x3x

▢ 1-1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
▢ 1 cup dill pickle juice , juice from Milwaukee or Clausen brands are best*
▢ ½ large lemon

Dill Sauce

▢ ½ cup 2% Greek yogurt
▢ 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
▢ 2 teaspoons dill pickle juice
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
▢ 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Place the chicken thighs in a flat container and pour the dill pickle juice over the chicken. Be sure the pickle juice covers the chicken. Allow the chicken to brine in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and remove the chicken from the brine. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
Add all of the ingredients for the dill sauce to a bowl and mix until combined. Set aside.
Preheat the grill to 400ºF. Grill chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes over direct heat on each side or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160ºF.
Remove the chicken from the grill and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the chicken. Serve with a dollop of the dill sauce, and enjoy.

Tips & Notes

We tested these with Grillo’s brand pickle juice, which wasn’t salty enough for a brine.
We do not recommend using butter pickle juice.
Baking instructions: Transfer the chicken thighs into an oven-safe dish. Bake at 400ºF for around 18-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF—165ºF.
Grilling instructions: Preheat the grill to 400ºF. Grill chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes over direct heat on each side or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160ºF.

Watch It

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Photography by: The Wooden Skillet