Chicken Brine Recipe

Name: Chicken Brine Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 12 serving
Ingredients: 8 cups water; 1/2 cup kosher salt; 1/4 cup honey; 3 dried bay leaves; 5 cloves of garlic; 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns; 3 sprigs fresh Rosemary; 3 sprigs fresh thyme; 3 sprigs fresh parsley; 2 lemons; 4 lb whole chicken

User Reviews

5.0

216 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings
12
Calories
185 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
American

Chicken Brine Recipe

Benson Pickett

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This chicken brine recipe is made with lemons, honey, fresh herbs and spices, and produces a juicy tender chicken every time! A foolproof way for succulent and flavorful roasted, smoked or fried chicken.

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Ingredients

Servings

8 cups water
1/2 cup kosher salt do not use table salt
1/4 cup honey
3 dried bay leaves
5 cloves of garlic smashed and peeled
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
3 sprigs fresh Rosemary
3 sprigs fresh thyme
3 sprigs fresh parsley
2 lemons sliced
4 lb whole chicken

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Instructions

Place the water, salt, honey, bay leaves, garlic, peppercorns, rosemary, thyme, parsley and lemons in a large pot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Cook for 3-4 minutes or until salt has dissolved.
Turn off the heat and cool completely.
Add the chicken to the cooled brine. Make sure the chicken is completely submerged.
Cover the pot and refrigerate for 8-24 hours.
Remove the chicken from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels. Remove any herbs or peppercorns. Proceed with roasting, smoking or frying the chicken.

Notes

Nutritional information includes the whole chicken.
Make sure the liquid is completely cooled before you add the chicken for food safety reasons. You can add ice cubes to help speed the process along.
I pour additional cool water over the chicken to make sure there is enough to submerge the chicken.
I brine my chickens in a pot. If your chicken is larger than the biggest pot in your house, you can use a brining bag.

Nutrition Information

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Calories 185kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 8g (3%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 54mg (18%) Sodium 775mg (32%) Potassium 176mg (5%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 140IU (3%) Vitamin C 11.5mg (13%) Calcium 25mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 185 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	185kcal	9%
Carbohydrates	8g	3%
Protein	13g	26%
Fat	11g	17%
Saturated Fat	3g	15%
Cholesterol	54mg	18%
Sodium	775mg	32%
Potassium	176mg	4%
Sugar	6g	12%
Vitamin A	140IU	3%
Vitamin C	11.5mg	13%
Calcium	25mg	3%
Iron	1mg	6%