Best Chicken Brine Recipes

SIMPLE CHICKEN BRINE

Steps:

• Pour the warm water into a container that is twice the volume of the water. Pour in the salt, sugar, soy sauce, and olive oil. Stir until the sugar and salt have dissolved, then allow the brine to cool to room temperature.
• To use, place chicken in the brine, cover, and refrigerate two hours for skinless breasts, 4 hours for bone-in pieces, and 4 hours to overnight for whole chickens. Drain and pat the chicken dry before cooking. One gallon of brine is enough for 6 pounds of whole chicken or bone-in chicken pieces, and up to 10 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts.

PERFECT CHICKEN BRINE

Steps:

• Mix water, kosher salt, white sugar, garlic, sage, basil, peppercorns, and bay leaf in a large pot over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the salt and sugar are dissolved completely, about 20 minutes.
• Remove pot from heat and cover with a lid. Cool brine at room temperature for 2 hours before refrigerating to cool completely.

BASIC ALL PURPOSE BRINE FOR MEATS, CHICKEN, AND TURKEY

Steps:

• Makes 1 quart- make up additional amounts of brine if needed until meat is submerged.
• Stir ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Continue stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Allow to cool.
• Place meat or poultry in a food safe plastic bag inside another container for support and leakage control (oven roasting bags are a fine choice- NOT garbage bags).
• Pour cooled brine into bag, and squeeze out as much air as possible and seal with a twistie tie.
• Refrigerate for 3-4 hours for 3 pounds meat (such as pork ribs), 5-6 hours for a nice roasting hen, or 12-24 hours for a turkey, 12 hours being for a small one and the longer time for those turkeys around 20+ pounds.
• Discard brine before using and pat meat dry.
• If using poultry, you may want to add citrus fruit such as oranges or lemons, additional fresh herbs, or cloves of garlic into the cavity.
• Prepare meat as desired- roast, bbq, etc.

PICKLE BRINE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk pickle juice, brown sugar, kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 pinch cayenne pepper together in a large bowl until sugar dissolves. Submerge chicken breasts in brine, using a plate or bowl to sink the breasts into the brine; refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken breasts from brine, discard the brine, and dry chicken breasts with paper towels. Brush each breast with olive oil and season each with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Cook chicken on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 5 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Transfer chicken to a plate, tent the plate with aluminum foil, and let chicken rest for 5 minutes.

JAMAICAN JERK BRINE FOR CHICKEN, PORK ....

Steps:

• Dissolve salt and sugar in hot water add remaining ingredients and 2 cups of ice cubes to cool it. Place a 4 pound cleaned and dried chicken in a freezer zip lock bag pour brine over chicken and top with water to cover. Close bag trying to remove as much air as possible. Brine in refrigerator overnight 8-12 hours. If not ready to cook remove from brine rinse well and place back in the refrigerator till ready to cook.
• Proceed with cooking method you desire.
• Roast, Grill, Rotisserie cooking to internal temperature of 175.
• Let rest 10-15 minutes before carving.

BROWN SUGAR CHICKEN BRINE

Steps:

• Mix salt, brown sugar, garlic, and cayenne pepper together in a large bowl. Pour in water; stir until dissolved. Mix in molasses and soy sauce. Let stand until brine comes to room temperature, about 50 minutes.

QUICK & EASY CHICKEN BRINE

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix together water, lemon juice, sugar and salt until dissolved.
• Add lemon quarters and chicken.
• Marinate for 30 minutes.
• Remove from marinade and pat dry.
• Chicken is now ready to be used in your favorite recipe.

APPLE CHICKEN BRINE

Steps:

• Stir vegetable broth, apple juice, kosher salt, black pepper, and herbes de Provence together in a pot; bring to a boil, stirring until salt is completely dissolved. Cool completely, transfer to a container or resealable bag, and refrigerate until chilled.

CHEZ PANISSE BRINE FOR PORK, CHICKEN AND TURKEY

Steps:

• Place the water in a large pot that can easily hold the liquid and the meat you intend to brine. Add all the ingredients and stir for a minute or so until the sugar and salt dissolve. Refrigerate poultry in the brine for 24 hours; pork for 3 days. If the meat floats to the top, use a plate or other weight to keep it completely submerged in the brine.
• To cook chicken: Stuff the cavity with onions, lemon wedges, and herbs such as thyme, parsley, and rosemary. Rub the skin with oil to help browning. Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper. (Salt isn't needed because of the brine.) Cook uncovered in a 400-degree oven until done, about 1 hour and 15 minutes for a 3 1/2- to 4 pound chicken.
• To cook turkey: Stuff the cavity with lemons, herbs, and onions, if desired. Rub the skin with oil and sprinkle with fresh ground pepper. Cook uncovered in a 400-degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes per pound until the internal temperature at the thickest part of the thigh registers at least 165 degrees.
• To cook a boneless pork roast: Sprinkle the roast with pepper and herbs such as sage, thyme, or tarragon, if desired. Roast uncovered in a 400-degree oven for about 12 to 15 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 150 to 160 degrees.

KITTENCAL'S BUTTERMILK POULTRY BRINE (FOR CHICKEN OR TURKEY)

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix or whisk the buttermilk, shallots, garlic, salt, sugar, cumin (if using) and black pepper until the sugar and salt is completely dissolved.
• Rinse the chicken in cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place the chicken in the buttermilk mixture; toss with clean hands to coat the chicken in the mixture.
• Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 8-24 hours.
• Rinse the chicken quick and just slightly under cold water to remove the onions and garlic if desired before cooking or grilling.
• Grill or oven-bake as desired.

MESQUITE CHICKEN BRINE

Steps:

• Pour water into a large brining container. Add sugar and salt; stir until dissolved. Mix in the marinade until brine is combined.

BUTTERMILK BRINE FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. For brine, in a resealable plastic bag set in a bowl mix the 3 cups buttermilk, the kosher salt, and sugar. Using a chef's knife, cut chicken breasts in half crosswise. Add all chicken pieces to the brine; seal bag. Chill for two -- four hours; remove chicken from brine. Drain chicken; pat dry with paper towels. Discard brine.
• 2. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt and pepper. Place the 3/4 cup buttermilk into shallow dish. Coat chicken with flour mixture, dip in the buttermilk, and coat again with flour mixture.
• 3. Meanwhile in a deep, heavy pot or a deep fat fryer heat 1 1/2 inches of oil to 350°. Using tongs, carefully add a few pieces of chicken to hot oil. Oil temperature will drop; maintain temperature at 325. Fry chicken for 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and coating is Golden, turning once. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels. If desired, keep Fried chicken warm in a 300° oven while frying remaining chicken pieces. Makes six servings.
• 4. Note: spicy buttermilk brine fried chicken: prepare as directed, except add 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.

BASIC BRINE FOR CHICKEN, TURKEY, PORK

Steps:

• 1. bring mix to boil and allow to cool to room temp.
• 2. you can do your own other ingredients like, maple syrup, garlic, onion, allspice,ginger, or spices you like can be used.
• 3. TIME FOR FOOD TO BE LEFT IN BRINE: shrimp 30 minutes whole chicken 8-12 hours chicken parts 5 hours chicken breast up to 8 hours Whole turkey 24 hours pork chops 12-24 hours whole pork loins 2 to 4 days
• 4. after brining rinsh meat off. NO NEED TO SALT YOUR MEAT!!!!!!!!

BEST BRINE EVER (FOR TURKEY OR CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a large pot, cover, and bring to a boil.
• Boil for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the salt.
• Remove from the heat and cool completely, then chill before using. The brine can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
• For turkey, place the thawed bird into a food grade plastic bucket, pour the cooled brine over top, add ice water to completely submerge the bird (nothing peeking out).
• Place the lid on the bucket and keep cold overnight at least 12 hours.
• Remove from brine, take out any of the aromatics that may be hiding in the cavity of the turkey, pat dry and let the turkey come to room temp for a few hours BEFORE you put it in the oven.
• (For my turkey, I added a fresh lemon, one head of garlic and some fresh herbs to the cavity of the bird before roasting).
• For chicken brine the bird UP TO BUT NOT MORE THAN 12 hours, I've not used this recipe on chicken but I've read the warnings of people who have left chicken in this brine for too long and it comes out salty!

CHICKEN SPINNER BRINE

Steps:

• Combine 4 cups water, the salt, peppercorns, garlic, bay leaves, lemon and onion in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and let the brine "steep" for 10 to 15 minutes. Move the brine to the refrigerator to cool, stirring occasionally.
• Place the chicken and cold brine in a large container or plastic bag and refrigerate for 3 hours. Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry before cooking as desired.

BRINE FOR PORK, CHICKEN, AND TURKEY

Steps:

• Place the water in a large pot that can easily hold the liquid and the meat you intend to brine.
• Add all the ingredients and stir for a minute or so until the sugar and salt dissolve.
• Refrigerate poultry in the brine for 24 hours; pork for 3 days. If the meat floats to the top, use a plate or other weight to keep it completely submerged in the brine.
• To cook chicken: Stuff the cavity with onions, lemon wedges, and herbs such as thyme, parsley, and rosemary. Rub the skin with oil to help browning. Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper. (Salt isn't needed because of the brine.) Cook uncovered in a 400-degree oven until done, about 1 hour and 15 minutes for a 3-1/2 to 4-pound chicken.
• To cook turkey: Stuff the cavity with lemons, herbs, and onions, if desired. Rub the skin with oil and sprinkle with fresh ground pepper. Cook uncovered in a 400-degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes per pound until the internal temperature at the thickest part of the thigh registers at least 165 degrees.
• To cook a boneless pork roast: Sprinkle the roast with pepper and herbs such as sage, thyme, or tarragon, if desired. Roast uncovered in a 400-degree oven for about 12 to 15 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 150 to 160 degrees.

EASY-BRINE CHICKEN BREASTS WITH SICILIAN GLAZE AND PUTTANESCA-STYLE PANZANELLA

Steps:

• For the glaze: Heat the EVOO in a small pot over medium to medium-high heat. Add the garlic, rosemary and chile pepper, and stir for a few minutes. Add the wine and cook until reduced to 3 to 4 tablespoons, about 2 minutes. Peel the zest from the orange in strips and add to the pot. Stir in the chicken stock and honey, then cook at a low rolling simmer until reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
• For the brine: Put the onion, salt, garlic, rosemary, lemons and 4 cups water in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
• Heat a grill pan, griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry. Drizzle or brush the chicken with EVOO, then cook, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, gently warm the glaze. Baste the chicken with the glaze during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• Serve the chicken with the Puttanesca-Style Panzanella.
• Cook's Note: Make 6 pieces of chicken breast and you'll have extra meat to slice for sandwiches or chicken salad the next day.
• Combine the tomatoes, parsley, onions and bell peppers.
• Whisk together the EVOO, vinegar, anchovy paste, garlic, chile pepper and lemon juice in a bowl.
• Pour water over the bread, then wring out the loaf and tear it into bite-size pieces. Toss the bread, vegetable mixture and olives with the dressing. Serve.
• Cook's Note: Wrap the bread loosely in foil overnight so it becomes stale and a little hard (if it goes too far, place it in a plastic bag overnight). If you are making the salad ahead of time, you can combine the vegetables and parsley in a resealable plastic bag and refrigerate them. Pit and chop the olives and return them to their container in the refrigerator. Store the dressing in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before using.

SAVORY CHICKEN BRINE

Steps:

• Remove giblets from chicken cavity, rinse chicken inside and out.
• In a large stock pot or container, mix water, sage, celery seed, thyme, salt, sugar and soy sauce to create brine. Stir well until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Place the chicken in the brine, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Remove chicken from the brine and rinse well inside and out. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of seasoned salt. Bake the chicken at 400 degrees F for 45 minutes.

PICKLE BRINE FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Drain the pickling liquid into a medium bowl, reserving the pickles separately. Add the chicken into the pickling liquid and cover. Refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours.
• To make the sauce, combine the mayonnaise, BBQ sauce honey and yellow mustard.
• Combine the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk together the eggs, 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper in a separate medium bowl.
• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer, a cube of bread will brown in about 3 minutes.)
• Remove the chicken from the brine. Discard the brine. Dredge the chicken in the flour, then in the egg and then back in the flour. Fry the chicken until brown and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove onto a paper-towel-lined plate and season with a pinch of salt.
• Build the sandwich with the buns (toasted with butter, if desired), chicken, a drizzle of sauce and pickles.

INJECTABLE BRINE FOR TURKEY/CHICKEN

Steps:

• Dissolve salt completely and use with marinade injector.