Pickle Brine Chicken

Name: Pickle Brine Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups dill pickle juice, or more to taste; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 pinch cayenne pepper; 2 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves; 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed; salt and ground black pepper to taste; 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Rating: 4.44 stars

63 Ratings
48 Reviews
8 Photos

There aren't a lot of great uses for leftover pickle juice. I did hear recently that some people like to drink this stuff after jogging, which I found to be quite shocking, since I had no idea people still jogged. Like most brined recipes, the payoff is in the texture and moisture content and not necessarily in the taste. Having said that, these did have a nice little twang. So the next time you have nothing left in the pickle jar but the juice, you now know what to do.

By Chef John

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Recipe Summary

prep:

10 mins

cook:

10 mins

additional:

1 hr 5 mins

total:

1 hr 25 mins

Servings:

Yield:

2 servings

Nutrition Info

Ingredients

Original recipe yields 2 servings

The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

1 ½ cups dill pickle juice, or more to taste
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
2 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper

Directions

Step 1
Whisk pickle juice, brown sugar, kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 pinch cayenne pepper together in a large bowl until sugar dissolves. Submerge chicken breasts in brine, using a plate or bowl to sink the breasts into the brine; refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

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Step 2
Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
Step 3
Remove chicken breasts from brine, discard the brine, and dry chicken breasts with paper towels. Brush each breast with olive oil and season each with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Step 4
Cook chicken on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 5 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Transfer chicken to a plate, tent the plate with aluminum foil, and let chicken rest for 5 minutes.

Nutrition:

The nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of the brine ingredients. The actual amount of brine consumed will vary.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

351 calories; protein 47.3g; carbohydrates 10.9g; fat 12.2g; cholesterol 129.2mg; sodium 5451.5mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (48)

Most helpful positive review

Donna Warrick

09/15/2015

I tried this recipe exactly as directed, using 4 boneless, skinless thighs. I think soaking them another hour or 2 might make them just a little tastier, but they were moist and tender. I realize you can't marinate for too long or the acid starts cooking the meat, but I have heard up to 4 hours is okay. Very good. I will use more than a pinch of cayenne next time!! Read More

Helpful

(28)

Most helpful critical review

Susan

04/26/2016

I followed this recipe as directed. I could certainly taste the pickle juice and not in a good way. Didn't find the chicken to be especially moist either. Wouldn't make it again. Read More

Helpful

(4)

63 Ratings

5 star values: 44
4 star values: 8
3 star values: 6
2 star values: 5
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Donna Warrick

09/15/2015

Helpful

(28)

Jessica

03/22/2016

Surprisingly good flavor and a nice moist piece of chicken. I didn't change a thing and I don't know what I would. Read More

Helpful

(13)

scottdrums

05/02/2016

Made this tonight. Followed the recipe,but let it brine for four hours. Grilled it on my Weber,vents medium,so it took about twenty minutes,turning four times. Came out juicey & moist,great flavor. This is a keeper. I don't understand the reviews complaining abut the pickle flavor,it had a nice tang to it,but did not taste like pickles. Read More

Helpful

(11)

Ann McClure

11/21/2016

I only marinated in dill pickle juice. I salt pepper garlic and cornstarch my chicken tenders and I used thigh meat. Came out awesome. I would take a pickle slice and wrap around tender and pop in my mouth for an awesome taste of wonderfulness almost ate all the pickles in the jar. Still had enough to take to lunch next day. Read More

Helpful

(5)

Susan

04/26/2016

I followed this recipe as directed. I could certainly taste the pickle juice and not in a good way. Didn't find the chicken to be especially moist either. Wouldn't make it again. Read More

Helpful

(4)

Sandy Bauder

05/23/2016

I make my own garlic dill pickles consequently always have extra pickle juice left over. I brined the chicken exactly as the recipe was written and it was some on the tastiest most moist grilled chicken we've ever eaten. Excellent...will definitely make it again. Read More

Helpful

(3)

Brian

10/01/2016

Very good! I used McClure's pickle brine which is made with apple cider vinegar and it came out being delicious. If you are lucky enough to have McClure's pickles at the local grocery I would recommend trying it. Read More

Helpful

(3)

CONNIE STORLIE

05/01/2016

We really like this recipe. I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Pounded them to a consistent thickness. Marinated them in the marinade that the recipe calls for, but I added fresh dill to the marinade. I put the marinade in a gallon size zip loc bag and marinated them for 2 hours, turning bag over every 1/2 hour. I dried off the breasts and spritzed with olive oil. For spices on the chicken I used, freshly ground black pepper, cayenne, and dried dill. I grilled them on my George Foreman grill. I will definitely make this again. Read More

Helpful

(3)

Win L.

03/25/2018

Since finding this recipe a month ago, I’ve made it four times! I love pickles. I marinate the chicken overnight, then oven roast them. Delish! Read More

Helpful

(3)

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All Reviews for Pickle Brine Chicken

- of Reviews

Pickle Brine Chicken

Servings Per Recipe: 2
Calories: 351

% Daily Value *

protein: 95 %

carbohydrates: 4 %

dietary fiber: 1 %

sugars:

fat: 19 %

saturated fat: 12 %

cholesterol: 43 %

vitamin a iu: 2 %

niacin equivalents: 231 %

vitamin b6: 58 %

vitamin c: 1 %

folate: 2 %

calcium: 3 %

iron: 11 %

magnesium: 17 %

potassium: 12 %

sodium: 218 %

thiamin: 11 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for Photos of Pickle Brine Chicken

1 of 48

All Reviews

Donna Warrick

09/15/2015

Helpful

(28)

Jessica

03/22/2016

Surprisingly good flavor and a nice moist piece of chicken. I didn't change a thing and I don't know what I would.

Helpful

(13)

scottdrums

05/02/2016

Helpful

(11)

Ann McClure

11/21/2016

Helpful

(5)

Susan

04/26/2016

I followed this recipe as directed. I could certainly taste the pickle juice and not in a good way. Didn't find the chicken to be especially moist either. Wouldn't make it again.

Helpful

(4)

Sandy Bauder

05/23/2016

Helpful

(3)

Brian

10/01/2016

Helpful

(3)

CONNIE STORLIE

05/01/2016