Lemon Herb Chicken Brine Recipes

LEMON HERB AND CHICKEN (WITH A COOL TECHNIQUE)

Steps:

• PREPARE GRILL OR OVEN: You can grill or roast the chicken. °To grill: Clean and oil grill with cooking spray. Heat gas grill to medium high 375-425F(190-218C). °To roast: Heat oven to 400F/204C. Line a pan with or parchment sprayed with oil.
• PREPARE CHICKEN: Optional 4-6 hours before or day before: To add flavor and juiciness to the chicken, brine it Note 4. Or marinate it Note 5. To prepare chicken for cooking (even if brined), rub olive oil over chicken and sprinkle on seasonings, front and back.
• GRILL CHICKEN Place chicken pieces or spatchcock chicken, skin side up, on grill. Turn off burner under chicken. Try to keep temperature of BBQ at 375F-425F (190-218C). Close cover and grill for about 40 minutes or until instant meat thermometer reads 160F/71C in breast. Temperature will rise with resting. Optional: To increase browning on skin, flip chicken over, skin side down, turn on burner and grill for a few more minutes.) To grill on a cedar plank for a mild smoky flavor, here's a recipe for cedar planked chicken. Note 6 to roast chicken instead.
• MAKE HERB SAUCE: While chicken is cooking, chop all sauce ingredients finely and combine them in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. It's a good idea to grate garlic or crush it with back of knife since it will be eaten raw. (Alternatively, pulse all ingredients in food processor - that's what I do.)
• FINISH DISH: Spread 1/3 of aromatic smear on a large cutting board or platter. (If using platter, cut up chicken first). Place chicken on top of smear. Spoon rest of smear on top and sides of chicken. Cut chicken into pieces. Loosely cover with foil and let chicken rest for 10 minutes, allowing chicken juices to mingle with smear. Flip chicken around in the juices and herbs and serve. Garnish with fresh lemon slices if desired.

SIMPLE LEMON HERB CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cut lemon in half, and squeeze juice from 1/2 lemon on chicken. Season with salt to taste. Let sit while you heat oil in a small skillet over medium low heat.
• When oil is hot, put chicken in skillet. As you saute chicken, add juice from other 1/2 lemon, pepper to taste, and oregano. Saute for 5 to 10 minutes each side, or until juices run clear. Serve with parsley for garnish.

CITRUS HERB BRINED CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. Dissolve the kosher salt in the hot water; then add the ice and cold water to chill mixture. Add the lemons, limes and fresh herbs to the brine. Make sure to put it in a container large enough to hold two chickens.
• 2. Add the chickens and put the container in the refrigerator. The chickens should sit in the brine for at least 8 hours but overnight works best.
• 3. After the brine step is complete, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, remove the chickens from the brine and discard the brine. Dry the chickens with a disposable towel and lightly oil skin. season with salt and pepper.
• 4. Place the chickens in a roasting pan elevated on a rack.
• 5. Roast for 20 minutes per pound based on the weight of the chickens, plus 15 minutes, or until the thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken but not touching the bone reads 170 degrees.

LEMON HERB-BRINED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Remove and discard skin from all chicken pieces except wings. Add all chicken pieces to large resealable plastic bag; place in large bowl.
• Bring 2 cups water, lemon peel, salt, garlic and herbs to boil in saucepan. Remove from heat; pour into separate large bowl. Add remaining water, dressing and ice; stir until ice is melted.
• Pour over chicken; seal bag. Refrigerate overnight. Remove chicken from dressing mixture; discard dressing mixture. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Let stand at room temperature 20 min. Meanwhile, heat greased grill to medium-high heat.
• Grill chicken 2 min. on each side. Reduce grill to medium heat. Grill chicken 8 to 18 min. or until done (165°F), turning occasionally and removing chicken pieces from grill when done. (Smaller pieces will cook more quickly. See tip for suggested grill times.)

ROASTED LEMON HERB CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine the seasoning, salt, mustard powder, garlic powder and black pepper; set aside. Rinse the chicken thoroughly, and remove the giblets. Place chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons of the spice mixture inside the chicken. Rub the remaining mixture on the outside of the chicken.
• Squeeze the juice of the 2 lemons into a small bowl or cup, and mix with the olive oil. Drizzle this oil/juice mixture over the chicken.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours, or until juices run clear, basting several times with the remaining oil mixture.