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Brining is a certain magic that changes modest chicken into a succulent masterpiece Roast Chicken. This is the ultimate chicken brine recipe for the juiciest roast chicken of your life. With the growing trend for quick and healthier ways of cooking, this technique has grown increasingly relevant among health enthusiasts.
Ingredients
- Brine Solution
- 2 L / 2 qt cold tap water
- 1/3 cup kosher salt (NOT table salt)
- 2 lemons, quartered
- 10 sprigs fresh parsley
- 7 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 5 bay leaves (fresh or dried)
- 1/4 cup honey (or sugar)
- 6 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- Roast Chicken
- 1.5 – 2 kg / 3-4 lb whole chicken
- 3 tbsp / 40g melted butter
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
Preparation Details
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: Approximately 60 minutes
- Total Time: About 24 hours (including brining)
- Servings: Serves 4
- Yield: Approximately 4 cups of brine
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a large pot, combine about one third of the water with all brine ingredients. Bring to a boil for one minute, stirring to dissolve the salt.
- Remove from heat and add the remaining water to cool the brine completely. Refrigerate until chilled about an hour and a half.
- Once cooled, submerge the chicken upside down in the brine. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
- After brining, remove the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Preheat your oven to 220°C/430°F.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the chicken, ensuring even coverage, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan and let it rest for 20 minutes before roasting.
- Reduce oven temperature to 180°C/350°F and roast for 50 minutes to an hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C/165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.
Chef’s Tips for Success
Never skip the resting time to achieve perfect texture in roasted chicken, allowing the juices to redistribute in the meat so that every single bite is an explosion of flavors in the mouth. Kosher salt is a good alternative because it dissolves better into the food, hence making for good flavors without over salting the food.
Presentation Ideas
Carve a perfectly roasted chicken and present it with seasonal vegetables or a vibrant salad on a platter. And instead, drink something refreshing, such as mineral sparkling water with slices of lemon in it. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes or roasted seasonal vegetables to give your meal just that little something extra.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: Approximately 432 kcal
- Fat: 17 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Proteins: 63 g