Beer BBQ Chicken Thighs 🍗🍺 Juicy, Glazed, and Sizzling With Beer-Infused Backyard Flavor

ByKarl S

These Beer BBQ Chicken Thighs are all about the glaze: deep, sticky, and brewed for boldness.

Bone-in or boneless, the chicken soaks in a malty marinade, then hits the grill (or oven) where it gets blasted with a beer-spiked BBQ sauce until lacquered and irresistible. Simple, smoky, and built for the plate and the pint glass.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

  • 6–8 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on preferred)
  • Salt and pepper
  • Oil for grilling or roasting

Beer Marinade

  • 1 cup beer (brown ale, Vienna lager, or amber ale)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup
  • Optional: 1 tsp mustard or hot sauce

Beer BBQ Glaze

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup beer (same as marinade)
  • 2 tbsp molasses or honey
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 1 tsp chili powder or hot smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

  1. Combine marinade ingredients in a zip-top bag or bowl.
  2. Add chicken and coat well.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
  4. Remove from marinade and pat dry. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Grill or Roast

Grill:

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high. Oil grates.
  2. Grill chicken 5–6 minutes per side (lid down), brushing with glaze during the last 5–10 minutes.
  3. Internal temp should hit 175°F for dark meat perfection.

Oven:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Place chicken on a foil-lined sheet. Roast 35–40 minutes, glazing during final 10 minutes.
  3. Broil briefly for charred edges if desired.

Step 3: Glaze and Finish

  1. While chicken cooks, simmer glaze ingredients until thick and shiny (8–10 minutes).
  2. Brush generously on chicken in final cook stage and again before serving.
  3. Rest 5 minutes before plating.

Flavor Variations

  • IPA Heat – Add hot sauce and sub in a citrusy IPA for bold bitterness and spice
  • Peach Ale Glaze – Add peach preserves and use a fruit beer for a sweet contrast
  • Smoky Bourbon Twist – Add a splash of bourbon and chipotle to the glaze
  • Asian-Inspired – Add ginger, soy, and sesame oil to the glaze; pair with rice lager

Beer Pairing

In the Marinade & Glaze

  • Brown Ale – smooth malt sweetness that won’t overpower
  • Vienna Lager – toasty and clean with great glaze synergy
  • Amber Ale – balanced and versatile with ketchup-based sauces

In Your Glass

  • Pair like-for-like with your marinade beer
  • Pale Ale for brightness and balance
  • Fruited Wheat Beer for sweet-glaze contrast
  • Smoked Lager or Porter if you want deep grill harmony

Final Thoughts

Beer BBQ Chicken Thighs bring the perfect balance of juicy meat, sticky glaze, and malty depth. Whether you’re grilling out back or roasting indoors, the beer makes it better — in the marinade, in the glaze, and in your hand while it cooks.

Sticky, smoky, and soaked in brew-kissed flavor. 🍗🔥🍺

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

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