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How to Brine Chicken (Chicken Brine Recipe)

Make this simple chicken brine recipes, then follow ours step by step instructions for how to brine chicken to make sure that it's loaded with tons of flavor. Enjoy!

Prep Time
5 mins
Brine Time
12 hrs
Total Time
12 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 6 -8
Calories: 468 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 8 cups water
  • ½ cup kosher salt
  • 6-8 pounds whole chicken or chicken pieces
OPTIONAL BRINE ADDITIONS
  • 2 lemons sliced
  • ¼ cup sugar or honey
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3-5 cloves garlic smashed
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 4-8 prigs fresh herbs rosemary, thyme, parsley

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the water, salt, and any optional add-ins in a large stockpot set over medium heat. Bring the water to a boil until salt has dissolved, then remove the pot from the heat and cool completely.
  2. When the brine has completely cooled down, submerge the chicken pieces or the whole chicken, breast side down. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, but no more than 24 hours.
  3. Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse it with cool water. Pat it dry with paper towels, and proceed to cook as desired.

Notes

  • Only use kosher salt. Do NOT use table salt, or you will end up with extremely salty chicken!
  • Feel free to mix up the flavorings to fit your preferences. Use my suggestions or come up with your own!
  • Make sure the brine has cooled completely before adding the chicken; otherwise, the chicken may end up in the temperature danger zone, leading to bacterial growth that could make you sick. To quickly cool the brine, add a few ice cubes.
  • Make sure the brine fully covers the chicken so that the flavors can penetrate all over. Add more water as needed to cover the chicken completely.
  • Once brined, gently pat the chicken dry to remove excess moisture. If you have time, let the chicken sit uncovered in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to dry it out even more. This will lead to crispier skin.
  • We recommend roasting brined chicken, but you can cook it any way you like! The general formula for roasting brined chicken is 15 minutes at 350°F for every 1 pound of chicken. So a 6-pound chicken will take about 90 minutes to cook.
  • Nutritional information is for display purposes only.

Nutrition Information

Calories 468kcal (23%) Protein 40g (80%) Fat 33g (51%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 7g Monounsaturated Fat 14g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 163mg (54%) Sodium 9599mg (400%) Potassium 413mg (12%) Vitamin A 305IU (6%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 39mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6-8

Amount Per Serving

Calories 468

% Daily Value*

Calories 468kcal 23%
Protein 40g 80%
Fat 33g 51%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7g 41%
Monounsaturated Fat 14g 70%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 163mg 54%
Sodium 9599mg 400%
Potassium 413mg 9%
Vitamin A 305IU 6%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 39mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.