Chicken Brine Recipe

This quick and easy chicken brine is made with onions, fresh herbs, carrots, and celery. These classic flavors are well suited for baked and smoked whole chickens or chicken pieces.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Marinades/Brines

Cuisine: American BBQ, American Food

Keyword: chicken brine, chicken brine recipe, poultry brine

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute

Total Time: 11 minutes

Servings: quarts

Calories: 180kcal

Ingredients

2 quarts cold tap water
1/3 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 medium yellow onion halved
2 medium carrots peeled and sliced
2 stalks celery quartered
3 cloves garlic smashed
4 bay leaves
2 teaspoons black peppercorns
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 cinnamon sticks optional

Instructions

In a medium stockpot, simmer for 1 minute over medium heat, 2 cups of water with sugar and kosher salt.
Once they have dissolved, remove the stockpot from the heat.
Add remaining brine ingredients to the pot, stir through, and add the remaining cold water.
Let the chicken brine cool for 40 minutes. Then place the stockpot into the refrigerator for 75-90 minutes.
Once it is sufficiently cold, submerge the whole raw chicken into the brine liquid. Cover the pot and place it back into the refrigerator for 8-12 hours.
Once brined, remove the chicken from the solution, blot it dry with paper towels, and let it air dry in your refrigerator for 2 hours.
Season with low salt or no salt rub, and cook as directed.
Brine boneless chicken breasts for 2-3 hours
Brine bone-in pieces like legs and thighs for 4 hours.

Nutrition