Recipe: How To Brine Chicken Breasts

Recipe: How To Brine Chicken Breasts

from cookthestory.com
Entree
35 min
4 servings

After doing a series of tests and comparisons, this is the recipe and method that I've found works best for brining chicken breasts. 

Ingredients

  • 4 cupscold tap water
  • 4 ½ tbsp.morton’s kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp.garlic granules (optional)
  • 4boneless skinless chicken breasts

Directions

  1. 1

    In a medium-sized bowl stir together water and salt until salt is dissolved.

  2. 2

    If you are planning to brine for over 45 minutes, stir in the garlic granules (otherwise the flavor won’t penetrate).

  3. 3

    Add the chicken breasts. Make sure they’re all submerged. If not, use a narrower bowl or a zipper bag.

  4. 4

    If brining chicken for more than 30 minutes, transfer brine and chicken to refrigerator. If brining for under 30 minutes, leave on counter.

  5. 5

    Allow chicken to sit in brine for 15 minutes to 2 hours. See chart above to determine optimum time. My preference is 1 hour.

  6. 6

    Remove chicken from brine. Discard brine. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.

  7. 7

    Cook chicken immediately (try these baked chicken breasts or these grilled chicken breasts), or refrigerate covered for 3 days, or wrap well for the freezer and freeze for up to 2 months, and then cook.