• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Panning The Globe
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
×
Home » Recipes » Barbecue

Grilled Aleppo Pepper Chicken Thighs

Published: Jul 13, 2018 · Updated: Mar 20, 2025 · By Lisa Goldfinger · 51 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe
a dozen grilled boneless chicken thighs on a platter with grilled lemon slices
Pinterest pin: grilled chicken thighs and grilled lemons with a forked stabbed through one thigh

Some recipes have the magic to amaze and thrill everyone at the table every time. This is one of those recipes. These are the BEST grilled chicken thighs I can imagine, made with a Turkish yogurt marinade that tenderizes and infuses the chicken with flavors of lemon, garlic and amazing spices.

grilled Aleppo pepper chicken on a platter with grilled lemons

Don't worry if you can't find Aleppo pepper. You can substitute a mixture of crushed red pepper and paprika and it's equally delicious.

I love everything about this dish, including how easy and foolproof it is. Thick Greek yogurt tenderizes the chicken thighs. A smoky pepper and lemon-garlic combination infuses it with intense bright flavor. Aleppo pepper chicken comes off the grill golden brown and irresistibly delicious.

I've been raving about this dish to friends for as long as I can remember. It's one of the best chicken dishes I have ever tasted and a most requested favorite in my house. I make these all summer long. I especially love this recipe for when I'm entertaining or feeding a crowd because the prep is easy and you can do it all ahead of time.

THE BEST MARINADE FOR GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS

Chicken thighs are are great on the grill. They have so much natural flavor and they're very difficult to overcook. This recipe takes them to the highest heights of deliciousness and it's all about the wonderful Turkish marinade.

  • The Marinade: Yogurt is an ideal marinade base for beef and poultry.  Any dairy - yogurt , milk, buttermilk - is an excellent tenderizer, partly because it is not very acidic. Acidic marinades can actually toughen meat.
  • According to Fine Cooking contributor Shirley Corriher, "dairy products are the only marinades that truly tenderize." She goes on to explain that calcium seems to activate enzymes in the meat, causing the proteins to break down. I have to assume all that "breaking-down" makes way for the delicious flavors of pepper, lemon, and garlic to move in.
  • The marinade for this grilled Aleppo Pepper Chicken is a mix of yogurt, sliced lemons, smashed garlic cloves, tomato paste, vinegar, olive oil and spices. Mix it all together with the chicken and let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour.
  • Preheat the barbecue to medium-high heat. Rub oil over the grates. Remove the chicken from the marinade and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill for about 6 minutes per side. Serve and enjoy!

Turkish yogurt marinade for Aleppo pepper chicken, best grilled chicken thighs

WHAT IS ALEPPO PEPPER?

Aleppo Pepper is a ruby colored spice named after the city of Aleppo in northern Syria, where it is grown. I discovered Aleppo pepper on a trip to Istanbul in early 2013 (just before the war in Syria took hold) and I fell I love with the spice. It's fruity with a moderate level of heat, not as hot as crushed red pepper flakes and way more flavorful. I brought home lots of Aleppo pepper from the spice markets of Istanbul, but not enough.

Authentic Aleppo pepper is hard to come by now. Just as Aleppo pepper was becoming popular among chefs in the United States, the devastating war in Syria destroyed the crops. There has been some effort to produce Aleppo pepper in the United States but many experts say it's not quite the same.

ALEPPO PEPPER SUBSTITUTE

If you can't find Aleppo pepper, the best substitute is to mix up equal amounts of crushed red pepper flakes and sweet paprika. I've done this on several occasion and the result is spectacular. Use this Aleppo pepper substitute in this recipe and you will still enjoy the best grilled chicken thighs ever!

Aleppo Pepper Paste

This recipe calls for flattened garlic. Flattening garlic is a really easy way to get the skin off and release the garlic flavors into a marinade without having to chop the garlic.

To flatten a garlic clove, hold the clove down against the cutting board with the flat side of a broad knife. With the heel of your other hand, pound the side of the knife blade (very carefully!), crunching down on the garlic. When you lift the knife the skin on the clove will be loose and you can just pull it off. Toss the flattened garlic clove into the marinade.

how to flatten garlic using the side of a knife

The Turks are credited with bringing yogurt to the world. The word "yogurt" comes from the Turkish word "Yogurt." The invention of yogurt likely came about by chance, many centuries ago, in the process of trying to figure out how to store dairy products. Yogurt has always been an important ingredient in Turkish cuisine.

Here are a few more delicious Panning The Globe recipe with yogurt marinades:

  • Spicy Yogurt-Marinated Turkey
  • Indian Chicken Biryani
  • Ras El Hanout Grilled Chicken Thighs
  • Spicy Chicken Shawarma

TURKISH BARBECUE

Turkish BBQ often involves threading the meat on a skewer before grilling - the famous Turkish kebab - and serving it with rice. I love shish kebabs but I also love that this grilled chicken recipe is quick and easy and doesn't require the step of skewering.

However if you want a more authentic presentation, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces after it's marinated and thread it onto skewers before grilling.

Grilled Aleppo pepper chicken and lemons on a platter

Enjoy these amazing grilled chicken thighs and don't forget to serve the grilled lemons and garlic alongside. They are delicious!

GREAT GRILLING SIDE DISHES

Here are a few of my favorite Panning The Globe side dishes for grilling season:

  • Brazilian Hearts of Palm Salad 
  • Corn, Tomato Avocado Salad
  • Out Of This World Pasta Salad
  • Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
  • Raw Kale Salad with Honey Lemon and Parmesan
  • Mediterranean Rice Salad

Grilled aleppo pepper chicken

Here's the recipe for Aleppo Pepper Chicken. If you try this recipe I hope you'll come back to leave a star rating and a comment. I'd love to know what you think!

Print

Recipe

clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
grilled Aleppo pepper chicken on a platter with grilled lemons

Grilled Aleppo Pepper Chicken Thighs


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 16 reviews

  • Author: Lisa
  • Total Time: 22 mins
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This recipe is adapted from a recipe in Bon Appetit

The most tender and delicious grilled chicken thighs ever! A very easy recipe and always a huge crowd pleaser.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons Aleppo pepper (crushed or flakes) or substitute Maras Pepper, or substitute 4 teaspoons dried crushed red pepper plus 4 teaspoons Hungarian sweet paprika
  • 2 cups plain whole-milk Greek-style yogurt (16 ounces)
  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 10-12 garlic cloves, flattened and skins removed
  • 2 unpeeled lemons, sliced into thin rounds.
  • 4 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl combine the 3 tablespoons Aleppo pepper with 2 tablespoons warm water. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes for the water to be absorbed. (if using red pepper flakes and paprika, combine 4 teaspoons of each in the bowl with 4 tablespoons warm water)
  2. Add the next six ingredients to the bowl: Yogurt, oil, vinegar, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine.
  3. Next mix in the garlic and lemon slices. Add the chicken and stir to fully combine all ingredients.
  4. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour (and up to a day)
  5. Preheat the barbecue to medium-high heat. Rub oil over the grates. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken about 6 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
  6. Serve with grilled lemons and garlic. Enjoy!
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 12 mins
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Grill
  • Cuisine: Turkish

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, please let me know how it turns out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on instagram with the hashtag #panningtheglobe

[This post first appeared on Panning The Globe in September 2012. It was updated in July 2018. It's the same delicious recipe with new photos, additional text and added nutritional information.]

More Grilling Recipes

  • small glass bowl on a black and white cloth napkin, filled with cranberry bourbon bbq sauce, a few cranberries scattered around
    Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce
  • 24 Best Grilling Recipes for Summer!
  • 8 coco bread rolls in a basket lined with a flowery cloth napkin.
    Jamaican Coco Bread
  • Two grilled lamb and fig skewers surrounded by lemon slices and mint sprigs
    Grilled Lamb and Fig Skewers with Mint Pepper Glaze

Filed Under: Asia, Barbecue, Chicken, Dinner, Entertaining, Turkey Tagged With: best entertaining recipes, gluten-free

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

  1. Susan

    November 09, 2018 at 4:41 pm

    I was wondering whether you could use this recipe with chicken wings? I bet that they would be delicious!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      November 10, 2018 at 10:00 am

      I've never tried this with wings. I'm sure the marinade would be delicious!

      Reply
  2. Karen Milne

    July 22, 2018 at 9:41 am

    Lori & Ty brought all the ingredients for this dish to Friendship, Maine and cooked this AMAZING chicken for us last night. DELICIOUS, totally Delicious......I'm going to check out the rest of your recipes this afternoon while it rains and will continue to get to know you through your recipes!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      July 22, 2018 at 6:37 pm

      Hi Karen - Great to hear from you! I hope you and Lori & Ty had a fun weekend together in Friendship. Lori mentioned she was bringing Aleppo chicken. I'm so glad you enjoyed it - It's a big favorite at our house. I make it all summer long and I always make extra for salads or wraps. Great to meet you here on the blog - hopefully sometime in person.

      Reply
  3. Charlene Davis

    July 20, 2018 at 12:06 pm

    Boy this is a good one! Loved it!

    Reply
  4. Lisa

    July 19, 2018 at 7:29 am

    This was the best chicken I've had all summer!! I'm just learning how to grill and it was very forgiving.

    Reply
  5. Deb Perugi

    April 28, 2018 at 2:58 pm

    Went to world market to get some san marzano canned tomatoes. I noticed aleppo pepper there. I bought some and knew you must have a recipe. Trying this one soon!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      April 29, 2018 at 3:20 am

      Lucky you to find Aleppo. It's scarce these days. I hope you enjoy the chicken. Let me know.

      Reply
  6. Elena

    May 17, 2017 at 10:54 am

    Hi,
    Is it possible to make that recipe in the oven or under a broiler?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      May 18, 2017 at 7:19 am

      Absolutely! I think they'd be delicious broiled. You probably only need to broil them for about 5 minutes per side since they're boneless. Try that and if they're not quite done, put them back in for another minute or two. Let me know how the turn out!

      Reply
      • Elena

        May 18, 2017 at 2:20 pm

        I am thinking of making chicken thighs with bone that way, so I guess it would take longer. Thank you!

  7. Ron Fischer

    April 20, 2017 at 11:10 am

    We tried this yesterday, and enjoyed it very much! As has been said, the yogurt does an amazing job of keeping the chicken moist and tender. The combination of the Aleppo pepper and the lemons is simply outstanding.

    Thank you for sharing it, and please keep up the great work!

    Reply
  8. jennifer

    October 05, 2015 at 10:11 am

    Making this recipe again tonight. I've probably made this at least a dozen times since Lisa posted it. Going to make it with her carrot salad as well which is another all time favorite. The yogurt in this recipe makes the chicken so tender and the flavors of Aleppo and the lemons with garlic are outstanding.

    Reply
  9. Beth

    July 20, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    What is Aleppo pepper? Is there a substitute?

    Reply
    • Lisa Goldfinger

      July 21, 2015 at 2:33 pm

      Aleppo pepper is a delicious red pepper from Aleppo Syria - near Turkey. If you can't find it you can substitute equal amounts of sweet paprika and crushed red pepper flakes.

      Reply
  10. Tammy

    June 20, 2015 at 11:19 am

    This recipe looks great, but they sure don't help when I have people over to dinner who keep Kosher. Any suggestions? The yogurt obviously is a problem to use. Thanks in advance for a response.

    Reply
    • Lisa Goldfinger

      June 20, 2015 at 11:51 am

      Hi Tammy, the yogurt is such a wonderful tenderizer and the whole dish works so well that I would reserve this recipe for when you don't have kosher guests for dinner. If you're looking for a delicious grilled chicken dish that's kosher, try this Mexican-spiced grilled chicken with nectarine salsa (mango can be substituted) https://www.panningtheglobe.com/mexican-spiced-grilled-chicken-nectarine-salsa/ or Yakitori Chicken https://www.panningtheglobe.com/yakitori-chicken/

      Reply
      • GARY

        January 30, 2021 at 11:13 pm

        They have Aleppo pepper marinade at Trader Joes!

  11. Beverly Waite Greenberg

    October 19, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    This was fantastic, one of my new and favorite meals. It was so easy to make and the chicken comes out incredibly moist...loved the grilled lemons and garlic too!

    Reply
  12. Michael

    October 05, 2012 at 10:00 am

    I made this last night. So simple to make and so delicious. I found Aleppo pepper at Penzey Spice in Arlington, MA.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      October 05, 2012 at 10:04 am

      Hi Michael. Thanks for reporting back - "so simple and so delicious" is why I make this frequently!

      Reply
  13. Deb Perugi

    October 04, 2012 at 11:30 pm

    Glad to see the site running smoothly. Congratulations!
    This looks delicious. I make a simpler version with just chicken cut up into bitesize pieces, greek yogurt, garlic sliced, lemon juice and turmeric. Stir fry or broiled, it is an easy dinner.

    Reply
  14. Tracy Clark

    September 27, 2012 at 11:19 pm

    In classic Lisa style, you have created a visually appealing, informative, beautiful, interesting and really useful blog. I'm syked!!!!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      September 28, 2012 at 6:23 am

      Thank you Tracy.

      Reply
  15. Jean

    September 24, 2012 at 10:17 pm

    This is the best recipe. Thanks Lisa. I use this basic marinade for lamb as well. It's so moist and delicious.

    Reply
  16. Shari

    September 23, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    Is this the chicken that's so moist you've been making
    all summer?0

    Reply
    • Lisa

      September 23, 2012 at 4:18 pm

      Yes! Sorry I don't have the recipe up yet, but I promise I will soon.

      Reply
Newer Comments »

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Lisa! Welcome to Panning The Globe. Dive into my collection of delicious, healthy recipes, discover new global flavors, and create unforgettable meals for your family and friends. Learn More!

Essential Summer Side Dishes!

  • A white bowl filled with Shirazi salad of cucumbers cherry tomatoes green peppers and onions
    Shirazi Salad (Persian Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad)
  • Creamy Spicy Chipotle Coleslaw
    Chipotle Coleslaw
  • Blue bowl filled with sautéed shredded zucchini. A mint leaf on top.
    Julia Child's Sautéed Shredded Zucchini Recipe
  • a white bowl filled with sautéed corn kernels and chopped scallions. The bowl sits on a blue and white striped cloth napkin and several pieces of flatware are in the background
    Sautéed Corn with Scallions
  • japanese potato salad in a white bowl
    Japanese Potato Salad Recipe
  • Close up of corn tomato avocado salad
    Corn Tomato Avocado Salad
  • Dutch oven on a striped cloth, filled with ratatouille
    The Best Easy Ratatouille Recipe
  • white bowl filled with cucumber raita and garnished with a sprig of fresh mint
    Cucumber Raita

Browse all Side Dish Recipes →

STAY ON TOP OF WHAT’S COOKING

Subscribe to our free newsletter and get the newest recipes and seasonal menu ideas sent directly to your inbox.

Footer

LET'S CONNECT!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Footer

↑ back to top

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Browse

  • Contact
  • All Recipes
  • Quick & Easy Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes
banner with names of publications that have featured recipes from panning the globe

COPYRIGHT © Panning The Globe 2025 · All text, recipes, content and images on this site are the sole property of Lisa Goldfinger and Panning The Globe.

PRIVACY POLICY · CONTACT ME · SUBSCRIBE

1.1K shares