How to Brine a chicken?

It is time to brine a chicken! Years ago, I met an individual who owned a popular chicken franchise that specialized in grilled chicken. During that encounter, the man attributed the tender softness of the chicken to a closely guarded secret, which is a result of brining a chicken.

At that young age, with minimal cooking experience, I found the idea fascinating that soaking a chicken in salt water would result in the softest and most tender chicken. Many professional chefs are familiar with this technique, and some seasoned home-cooks are also aware of how to brine chicken. However, many people have no idea how to brine a chicken properly.

This method of cooking entails soaking meat in a saltwater solution, often with the addition of other spices and condiments. These steps infuse different layers of flavour into the meat and improve the texture of the Chicken by softening it up. Interestingly, there are many other reasons why you should consider brining a chicken; let’s dive into it. If you’ve ever cooked and eaten chicken at home or in a restaurant, you may have encountered a flavourless piece of chicken breast or thigh. This lack of flavour is common in chicken due to the composition of the protein as well as the thickness of the chicken meat.

When you brine chicken, the salt penetrates the meat, seasoning it from the inside out. This process creates a more flavourful dish. Another key benefit is that brining a chicken in salt helps to ensure moisture retention during cooking. This method ensures that the chicken meat is juicy, especially when cooked at high temperatures.

If you eat a lot of chicken breast or other lean cuts of meat, this process will ensure that the chicken has a tender texture. One of the other benefits of brining a chicken is that the chicken will be cooked uniformly. Brining a chicken also reduces the risk of overcooking the outer layer whilst the inner parts remain undercooked.  

Ingredients

Whole chicken, Peppercorns, Salt, Sugar, Parsley, Lemon and Cinnamon sticks.

In this recipe, we’ve chosen to use a whole chicken. However, you can also use chicken thighs, drumsticks, or breasts. Individuals who consume a lot of chicken breasts will enjoy this recipe, as it will infuse a ton of flavour into the meat. You can also use different ingredients to add many variations of flavour to the dish.

Instructions

Thoroughly wash the chicken in water. Prepare the brine. Add two cups of warm water and salt to a pot. The salt and sugar have to dissolve in the water. Add 1/4 cup of salt for every gallon of water. Add the sugar. Add the lemon, spices, herbs, and garlic.

Add the remaining cold water. Add the chicken, ensuring it is submerged in the pot without any part of it sticking out. You can use a plate or a weighted instrument. A bag of ice in a clean material, such as cloth, will also work for this step; avoid using plastic, as the saltwater will leach the plastic into the water.

Place the pot into the fridge for 12 hours. It is essential to avoid over-brining the chicken as it will result in a salty chicken. After the 12 hour period, remove the chicken from the fridge and wash the chicken properly. After brining the chicken, use the chicken for sautéing, grilling, baking or roasting.

If you’re planning to reuse the mesh cloth, make sure to wash it with soap and dry it.

Different types of Brine.

Alternatively, you can create a basic saltwater brine by mixing salt and water. Fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sage can create a flavourful chicken. Bay leaves, peppercorns, and garlic add additional layers of flavor.

If you are cooking a sweet and sour dish, you can incorporate sugar, honey as well as maple syrup into the brine to impart a sweet flavour. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, or limes, will brighten the flavour of the chicken.

For enhanced tenderization, soak a chicken in a mixture of buttermilk and spices, which is particularly effective for fried chicken. Apple cider vinegar will impart a tangy flavour to the dish. If you are creating an Asian dish, consider adding soy sauce, rice vinegar, pieces of ginger, and sesame seed oil to the brine water.

Recipes to Brine a Chicken

Many recipes are ideal for brined Chicken. After brining, consider marinating the Chicken with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and rosemary. Thereafter, grill for a fresh-tasting summer-inspired dish.

Brined chicken breast is perfect for tacos and pulled Chicken. You can also dice the brined Chicken and use it in a chicken salad. Stir-fried brined Chicken will add to the flavours of the vegetables and pair it with a delicious, Asian-inspired sauce. The possibilities are endless. Consider brining the chicken for Chicken Kabsa, Baked Chicken thighs, Chicken Adobo, Kung Pao Chicken and Chicken Shawarma.