0 from 216 votes
Chicken Brine Recipe
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.
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
Ingredients
- 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
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.
Cup of Yum
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
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
% 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% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.