Chicken Brine Recipes

CHICKEN BRINE

Steps:

• If water is cold, heat it for about 90 - 120 seconds in the microwave (you want it very warm, but not hot). You can also do this on the stove top if you prefer.
• Stir salt and brown sugar into water. Stir until salt and sugar are completely dissolved and liquid is translucent.
• Add chicken to a watertight bowl or bag. Pour brining liquid over chicken and seal bag or cover bowl tightly. Make sure brine covers chicken completely; prepare additional brine if necessary.
• Allow chicken to brine in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. Pat chicken dry with a clean towel or cloth before cooking.

CHICKEN BRINE

Steps:

• In a very large stockpot add the water, kosher salt (do not use table salt), sugar, garlic, sage, basil, black peppercorns and bay leaves and bring to a boil on high heat.
• Stir well until sugar and salt have dissolved.
• Turn off heat and let cool naturally until water is at room temperature.
• Add chicken to the pot and cover.
• Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, up to 8 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Remove chicken from brine and rinse under a very slow stream of water (sanitize your sink after rinsing).
• Dry the chicken with paper towels inside and out and stuff the chicken cavity with apple and onion.
• Place into baking pan and cook for 15 minutes, then lower heat to 375 degrees and cook for 40-45 minutes or until the middle of the thigh reads 165 degrees on a probe thermometer.

SIMPLE CHICKEN BRINE

Steps:

• Pour the warm water into a container that is twice the volume of the water. Pour in the salt, sugar, soy sauce, and olive oil. Stir until the sugar and salt have dissolved, then allow the brine to cool to room temperature.
• To use, place chicken in the brine, cover, and refrigerate two hours for skinless breasts, 4 hours for bone-in pieces, and 4 hours to overnight for whole chickens. Drain and pat the chicken dry before cooking. One gallon of brine is enough for 6 pounds of whole chicken or bone-in chicken pieces, and up to 10 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts.

PERFECT CHICKEN BRINE

Steps:

• Mix water, kosher salt, white sugar, garlic, sage, basil, peppercorns, and bay leaf in a large pot over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the salt and sugar are dissolved completely, about 20 minutes.
• Remove pot from heat and cover with a lid. Cool brine at room temperature for 2 hours before refrigerating to cool completely.

CHICKEN SPINNER BRINE

Steps:

• Combine 4 cups water, the salt, peppercorns, garlic, bay leaves, lemon and onion in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and let the brine "steep" for 10 to 15 minutes. Move the brine to the refrigerator to cool, stirring occasionally.
• Place the chicken and cold brine in a large container or plastic bag and refrigerate for 3 hours. Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry before cooking as desired.