Cider Brined Grill Roasted Chicken With Grilled Apples And Sage Recipes

APPLE CIDER CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small sauce pot, combine the cider, salt, peppercorns, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, cloves, star anise and cinnamon stick. Heat over a high flame until the cider boils, then reduce to medium low and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Give it a good stir to ensure the salt has completely dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside to cool until it's no longer steaming (you don't want to poach the raw chicken!). If you're in a rush, add a handful of ice cubes - it will speed up the cooling process without diluting the brine too much.
• Place a gallon sided ziplock bag in a bowl, and place the raw chicken breasts at the bottom of the bag. Pour the apple cider brine over the chicken, then press out the air and seal. Pop the whole contraption into the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Preheat your grill (preferably a charcoal grill if you have one) to high heat. If you're using a charcoal grill, the temperature should reach at least 450*. While the grill is heating, prepare the grilling oil. Combine the oil with the thyme, sage, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and whisk to combine.
• Remove the chicken from the bag and discard the brine. Rinse the chicken, then pat dry. Brush each side with the grilling oil. Grill 4-5 minutes per side until the exterior is charred and the internal temperature reaches 165* with an instant read thermometer. Remove from the grill and allow to rest 5-10 minutes. Slice against the grain and serve immediately.

APPLE CIDER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, add to pan and sear until golden, about 4 minutes each side. Remove chicken from pan, and set aside. Add remaining butter and onion, apple, garlic, thyme and bay leaves. Saute until apple begins to get color and onions soften, about 6 minutes. Add flour and stir 2 to 3 minutes. Nestle chicken back into pan, add cider, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook until chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes.

GRILLED APPLE CIDER VINEGAR CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the brine and chicken: Combine the salt, brown sugar and 16 cups (1 gallon) cold water in a large plastic container and stir to dissolve. Add the chicken; cover and refrigerate to marinate for 4 to 6 hours.
• Prepare a charcoal fire using about 6 pounds of charcoal and burn until the coals are completely covered with a thin coating of light gray ash, 20 to 30 minutes. Spread the coals evenly over the grill bottom, position the grill rack above the coals and heat until medium hot (when you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill surface for no longer than 3 or 4 seconds). Or, for a gas grill, turn on all burners to high, close the lid and heat until very hot, 10 to 15 minutes.
• For the basting liquid: Whisk together 1/2 cup water, the vinegar, oil, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Drain the chicken well and pat dry; sprinkle with pepper. Apply some oil to the grill grate. Place the chicken on the grill, leaving plenty of space between each piece. Grill until seared, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Reduce the heat to medium or move the chicken to a cooler part of the grill. Continue to grill, turning occasionally and brushing with the basting liquid, until the juices run clear when the meat is pierced, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the pieces from the grill as they cook and transfer to a warm platter. Serve immediately!

APPLE CIDER BRINED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix 2 tablespoons salt, 2 tablespoons pepper, 4 cups water, vinegar, and apple juice in a 2 gallon container. Add the chicken and allow to marinate for 30 minutes up to 3 hours in the refrigerator.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon pepper to the flour, mix well, and hold until ready to fry.
• In a cast iron skillet, add the oil and bring to 350 degrees F over high heat. Remove the chicken from the brine, pat dry with a paper towel, and dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour, coating well and tapping off any excess. Once all the chicken is floured, add to the oil, in batches, and cook until golden brown on both sides, 8 to 9 minutes per side. The internal temperature must be 165 degrees to be cooked thoroughly.

GRILLED APPLE CIDER CHICKEN

Steps:

• About 1 hour before you'd like to begin grilling, remove the chicken from the brine. Use a paper towel to pat the chicken as dry as possible. Set aside on a plate or a small baking sheet to come up to room temperature. Just before grilling, lightly season the surface of all of the chicken parts with kosher salt & ground black pepper.
• Prepare your grill for indirect cooking, creating a zone of direct high heat & a second zone of indirect heat. If using a gas grill, begin preheating at least 15 minutes before grilling. If using charcoal, light the charcoal at least 30 minutes prior to grilling. (To learn more about zone grilling, be sure to check out this post.)
• Use a pastry brush to baste the grilled chicken with the apple cider glaze. Cook for 1 minute per side, glazing the chicken generously along the way. Repeat 2-3 times, until your chicken is as charred & saucy as desired & an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken (without hitting the bone) registers a temperature of 160 degrees F. Remove from the grill and set aside to rest for 5-10 minutes. Carryover heat will cause the internal temperature to continue to rise as it rests. The chicken will be ready to serve once an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken (without hitting the bone) registers a temperature of 165 degrees F.
• Grill the veggies about 5 minutes per side, until nicely charred & fork tender. Remove from the grill & set aside to serve.

CIDER-BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH APPLES AND GREENS

Steps:

• Pat the chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
• In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat the oil over medium. Cook the chicken thighs skin-side down, undisturbed, until the skin is golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Flip and cook until lightly browned on the other side, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Pour off all but about 3 tablespoons of fat from the pot, turn the heat to medium-low, then add the shallots and sage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
• Add the cider, cider vinegar, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the cider has reduced slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pot, skin-side up. Pour just enough broth around (not on!) the chicken to cover the sides of the thighs but not cover the skin on top.
• Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low. Partly cover and gently simmer until the thighs are cooked through and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a clean plate or sheet pan (if you'd like to broil the chicken in the next step), raise the heat to medium, and add the kale and apple to the pot. Cook, tossing often, until all the kale is wilted, the apples are just softened and the liquid has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. While the greens cook, if you'd like to crisp the skin on the chicken, pop it under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Taste for seasoning, and stir in 1 or 2 more teaspoons cider vinegar to taste. Divide the chicken and kale mixture among shallow bowls; serve with crusty bread to mop up broth.

MAPLE SAGE GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk 4 tablespoons apple juice, brown sugar, olive oil, vinegar, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, mustard, sage, garlic and salt until blended. Pour 1 cup marinade into a shallow dish. Add chicken; turn to coat. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade., Drain chicken, discarding marinade in dish. Place chicken on oiled grill rack. Grill, covered, over medium heat until a thermometer reads 165°, 7-8 minutes on each side., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine reserved marinade, remaining 1/2 cup apple juice and remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half, 5-7 minutes. Serve with chicken.

APPLE CIDER-MARINATED GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine apple cider, apple jelly, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir just until jelly melts, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let marinade cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
• Place chicken thighs and marinade into a 1-gallon plastic zip-top bag and let marinate for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Remove chicken from the bag and discard marinade.
• Grill chicken thighs until no longer pink in the centers, turning frequently being careful not to let chicken burn, 20 to 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a thigh should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

APPLE SAGE ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Cut apple into wedges; place in cavity of chicken.
• In small bowl, mix butter, chopped sage, salt and pepper. Starting at leg end of chicken, gently separate skin (do not peel back) from chicken breasts using fingers, being careful not to tear or puncture skin. Rub half of sage butter under skin to cover chicken breasts; replace skin. Rub remaining sage butter on outside of chicken breasts and thighs. Fold wings of chicken under back. Tie or skewer drumsticks together. On rack in shallow roasting pan or 13x9-inch pan fitted with rack, place chicken, breast side down. Cover loosely with foil. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh muscle and does not touch bone.
• Roast 25 minutes. Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat cider to boiling over medium-high heat. Boil 6 to 8 minutes or until cider is reduced to 2 tablespoons.
• Uncover and carefully turn chicken breast side up. Roast 45 minutes longer, basting with cider reduction every 15 minutes, until thermometer reads at least 165°F and drumsticks move easily when lifted or twisted. Cover loosely with foil; let stand 15 minutes for easiest carving. Garnish with sage sprigs.