Juicy & Flavorful Chicken Brine
Brining is the secret to incredibly juicy chicken every time! This recipe brings together simple ingredients to create a flavorful brine that locks in moisture and seasoning. You’ll never go back to dry chicken again!
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl To whisk up the brine
- 1 Whisk For mixing it all together (use a fork if you don’t have one)
- 1 airtight container Where the magic of brining happens
Ingredients
- 8 cups water: This is the base make sure it’s room temperature.
- 1/2 cup kosher salt: Essential for flavor kosher salt works best!
- 1/4 cup sugar: Balances out the saltiness and helps keep the chicken juicy.
- 2 garlic cloves smashed: For a hint of garlic flavor.
- 1 tsp black peppercorns: Adds a little spice without being overpowering.
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary optional: If you’re feeling fancy, add rosemary for a lovely herbal flavor.
- 1 whole chicken around 4 lbs: It’s brine time!
Instructions
- Prepare the Brine
- Start by whisking together the water, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl until fully dissolved.
- Toss in your garlic, peppercorns, and optional rosemary.
- Submerge the Chicken
- Place the whole chicken in an airtight container, then pour the brine over it until it's completely submerged.
- Refrigerate
- Cover and let the chicken sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours (or overnight if you can wait!). The longer it sits, the more flavor it soaks up.
- Rinse and Cook
- Once you're ready to cook, remove the chicken, rinse off the brine, and pat it dry. You’re now ready to grill, roast, or fry your chicken to perfection.
Notes
- Don't skip the rinse step! Brined chicken can be a bit salty if you don’t rinse it off first.
- Play around with extra spices or herbs like thyme or bay leaves to change things up.
- This brine works wonders for grilling, roasting, or frying chicken—just make sure to use your favorite cooking method!