When I was growing up, my auntie was my cooking hero. Everything she touched turned delicious, and one of her specialties was grilled chicken. She could turn the cheapest, toughest cut into a juicy delicacy. She almost always soaked raw chicken breasts in a mystery liquid, but one day she let me in on her secret: brine! It was a complete game-changer because brining is a foolproof way to get juicy chicken breasts every time. So say goodbye to dry chicken and prepare to brine!
Recipe Ingredients
How to Brine Chicken Breasts
Prep the Ingredients – Heat about a cup of water in the microwave or stovetop until warm. You want to heat it enough to dissolve the sugar and salt, not boil it. Remove it from the heat and pour in the salt and sugar. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve.Add Remaining Liquid – Let the salt and sugar brine cool, then add the remaining water and apple cider. The water should not be warm – you want it completely cooled.Brine the Chicken Breasts – Put the chicken breasts in a non-reactive pot or container and pour the brine over them. Then add garlic, thyme, bay leaves, peppercorns, pepper flakes, and the orange and lemon slices.Chill – Cover with a lid—place in the fridge for 45 minutes to an hour. But try not to go for more than an hour.Ready to Cook – Remove the chicken breasts from the brine and dry them with paper towels.Grill – Brush them with melted butter, rub with your desired seasoning, and head for the grill.
Recipe Variations
It’s easy to customize this recipe depending on your palate.
Tips and Tricks
What to Serve With Brined Chicken Breast
For a hearty, decadent meal, scalloped potatoes and bacon broccoli salad are fantastic. Then add some pull-apart garlic rolls for an additional treat! Or, for a lighter, equally tasty option, try pairing the chicken with sides of roast potatoes and carrots and avocado corn salad.
How to Use Your Brined Chicken Breasts
This is an excellent way to prepare chicken breasts for grilling, smoking, baking, and stuffing. Try it in any of these recipes.
Conclusion
You’ll feel like a gourmet chef when you serve this perfectly tender, tasty chicken! Are you looking for more quick and easy weeknight meal options? Follow me on YouTube, and check out my easy, step-by-step videos!
Watch How to Make It
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