Go Back
–+ servings
chicken brine displayed.

Best Chicken Brine Recipe (How To Brine Chicken)

Kemi
This is the best chicken brine recipe that shows you how to brine chicken in easy, quick steps. Brined chicken can then be roasted, grilled, or fried and served with sides like potatoes, gravy, and vegetables for a perfect occasion meal like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday roast.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Brining time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, British
Servings 1 Whole Chicken
Calories 2284 kcal

Equipment

  • Pot

Ingredients
  

  • 2 kg (4lb) Whole chicken
  • ½ cup Salt
  • ¼ cup Sugar
  • 3 sprigs Rosemary
  • 5 sprigs Parsley
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 whole Lemon sliced
  • 3 Bay leaves
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 3 litres Water

Instructions
 

  • In a deep pot, add 3 cups of water, add salt, sugar, garlic, onions, lemons, black pepper, parsley, rosemary, and thyme.
  • Stir the content of the pot and leave it to boil until the salt and sugar are dissolved (about 3 minutes) then remove the pot from the stove.
  • Add the rest of the water into the pot and let it stand for 15mins or till it is cooled completely.
  • Gently place the chicken breast side up in the brine solution making sure the chicken is fully immersed in the brine.
  • Put the chicken in the fridge to brine for 3- 4 hours.
    Do not brine chicken for more than 48 hours or more than an hour for each pound of chicken.
  • Remove the chicken from the brine solution, and discard the brine.
    Pat chicken dry, brush with oil or butter, and it's ready to roast in the oven or air fryer.

Notes

  • Don't over brine the chicken as this can make it taste unpleasant.
  • Wait till the salt and sugar are fully dissolved in water before taking the pot off the stove.
  • Don't use the brine solution while it's hot. It's important you let it cool down before you use.
  • Be careful with how much salt you use on the chicken after brining it.
  • If brining chicken at room temperature, brine it for 1 hour for every 2 pounds of chicken.

Nutrition

Calories: 2284kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 180gFat: 145gSaturated Fat: 41gPolyunsaturated Fat: 31gMonounsaturated Fat: 60gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 720mgSodium: 57265mgPotassium: 1935mgFiber: 1gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 1805IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 185mgIron: 10mg
Keyword best chicken brine recipe, chicken brine, chicken brine recipe, how to brine chicken, quick chicken brine
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!