Grilled Chicken Thighs with Tomatoes
Two things that you need to experience when it’s summer – grilled chicken, and grilled tomatoes! If you’re a stickler for chicken breasts, we suggest giving the thighs a try. You’ll find that they’re more tender, juicy, and flavorful. Plus, tomatoes are simply irresistible this time of year! Dash™ Garlic & Herb Seasoning adds a nice, herby blend of spices to this recipe – you’ll enjoy its savory flavor combined with the tomatoes.
Why Slash the Chicken Thighs?
Before cooking the chicken, this recipe requires you to slash it…what’s that all about?
1. Helps Them Cook Evenly
-
Chicken thighs can be thick and uneven.
-
Slashes let heat reach the inside more efficiently, so the meat cooks through without burning the outside.
2. Boosts Flavor
-
Slashes create pockets where marinades, spice rubs, or sauces can penetrate deeper into the meat—not just sit on the surface.
-
More surface area = more flavor.
3. Prevents Dryness
-
Because the inside cooks faster, you don’t have to leave them on the grill too long—helping avoid dried-out edges or overcooked skin.
4. Crisps Up the Skin (for skin-on thighs)
-
The slashes help render fat from under the skin, leading to crispier, more flavorful skin.
5. Speeds Up Cooking Time
-
Shallower cuts reduce how long it takes for the heat to get into the center, so thighs finish faster on the grill.
Tip: Don’t Slash Too Deep
-
About ¼–½ inch deep is enough—just through the skin and into the meat, not all the way through.
Not a Tomato Fan? Try These Veggies Instead!
1. Bell Peppers
-
Sweet and colorful
-
Grill in large strips or chunks
-
Pair well with garlic, herbs, or balsamic
2. Red Onion
-
Grills beautifully with a little char and sweetness
-
Cut into thick slices or wedges
3. Zucchini / Yellow Squash
-
Mild and tender with nice grill marks
-
Slice into long planks or thick rounds
4. Mushrooms (like cremini or portobello)
-
Meaty texture, soak up marinades well
-
Grill whole or in large slices
5. Corn on the Cob
-
Sweet, smoky, and perfect with a little chili-lime butter or garlic herb seasoning
6. Carrots
-
Cut into thick sticks or lengthwise planks
-
They caramelize nicely when grilled
7. Broccolini or Asparagus
-
Quick cooking
-
Toss with oil and lemon juice before grilling
8. Baby Potatoes (parboiled first)
-
Firm and hearty
-
Finish with a sprinkle of garlic herb seasoning
Grilled Chicken Thighs with Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp Dash™ Garlic & Herb Seasoning
- 2 Garlic cloves finely grated
- 4 tbsp Red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt
- 2 tbsp Olive oil plus extra for drizzling
- 10 Cherry tomatoes sliced in half through the stem end
- 1 cup Arugula if desired
Instructions
- Slash the chicken thighs by placing on a cutting board with skin facing up. Pierce the skin with a knife, then drag the knife perpendicular to the bone to make a deep cut. Repeat on each thigh to make two slashes through the skin and flesh to the bone (but not all the way through to the other side).
- In a large bowl, combine Dash™ Garlic & Herb Seasoning, garlic, 3 tablespoons vinegar, 1 tablespoon mustard, and 1¾ teaspoons salt. Add chicken and toss; press the marinade into the slashes. Let marinate at room temperature while the grills heats up, or cover and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
- Remove the chicken from the fridge to come to room temperature if needed. Heat the grill to medium.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil with the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 tablespoon mustard, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir vigorously until the ingredients come together into a thick vinaigrette. Set aside.
- Once the grill is hot, place the chicken on the grill, skin side down, and close the lid. Grill until the skin has dark brown char lines and is easy to remove from the grates, about 3 minutes, then uncover. Rotate the chicken 45 degrees without flipping, and grill for 3 to 4 more minutes.
- Flip the chicken and add the tomatoes to the grill, cut sides down. Close the lid again and grill the second side of the chicken and the tomatoes until the chicken is cooked through and the tomatoes are charred and soft, 7 to 9 minutes - the internal temperature should reach 165℉.
- On a serving platter, spread about a tablespoon of the mustard vinaigrette on the plate. Place the chicken and tomatoes on top of the mustard vinaigrette. Spoon the remaining vinaigrette onto the tomatoes. Let everything rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then top with arugula (if desired) and drizzle with olive oil.