Spice-Brined Grilled Chicken Breasts

I could not have been happier with how these spice-brined grilled chicken breasts turned out. I was looking for tender, flavor-packed, juicy chicken to use in a big batch of chicken salad. And that’s exactly what I got. I grilled my chicken (in this case, split chicken breasts, but boneless skinless will work just fine too) on cedar planks for a little extra flavor and aroma, but you can skip that and do them directly on your grill grates too.

Spice-Brined Grilled Chicken Breasts

For The Best Results, Go Skinless

I am not a fan of skin-on chicken when it comes to brining although you can certainly use it if you want. Leaving the skin on normally does help keep the meat from drying out, but that’s not really needed here. And no way is it going to get crispy enough to enjoy. So, skip it if you want. I did. This spice-brined grilled chicken breasts recipe doesn’t need any tinkering with. It’s great just as it is.

You can use any seasoning on the chicken you want, but I would shy away from anything heavy on salt (you already brined it it) and sugar (it’ll burn over the high grill heat).

Also try my grilled Dijon chicken and my outrageously-good butterflied chicken legs.

Spice-Brined Grilled Chicken Breasts
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5 from 1 vote

Spice-Brined Grilled Chicken Breasts

You can use any seasoning on the chicken you want, but I would shy away from anything heavy on salt (you already brined it it) and sugar (it'll burn over the high grill heat).
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword brined, poultry
Prep Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 701kcal

Ingredients

For the brine

For the chicken

Instructions

For the brine

  • Place water in a large pot over medium-high heat.
  • Stir in the salt, sugar, garlic, sage, basil, peppercorns and the bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and continue simmering, stirring often, for about 20 minutes. Make sure that the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
  • Remove pot from heat, cover and let cool completely, at least 2 hours.

For the chicken

  • Add the chicken to the brine and transfer the pot to the fridge for 2 hours and up to 4 hours maximum.
  • If cooking the chicken on cedar planks, begin soaking them in water 30 minutes before using.
  • Fire up your grill for direct and indirect cooking.
  • If using planks, char the planks over direct heat on both sides first. Add the chicken and move the planks to indirect heat and continue cooking, 30-45 minutes or until the chicken measures 165 F with a thermometer.
  • Place chicken directly on the grates over high heat and sear on both sides, 2-3 minutes per side. Move the planks to indirect heat and continue cooking, 30-45 minutes or until the chicken measures 165 F with a thermometer.
  • Let chicken rest 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 701kcal | Carbohydrates: 172g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 85118mg | Potassium: 1794mg | Fiber: 28g | Sugar: 134g | Vitamin A: 967IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 1669mg | Iron: 57mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Chicken Brine

There are a lot of variations on brines for poultry. I use this chicken brine because it is super simple and can be easily modified to impart different, though subtle, flavors into the meat. It doesn’t matter whether you grill your chicken, roast it, or deep fry it. You’ll end up with tender, juicy meat in the end.

Chicken Brine

Great For A Batch Of Chicken

This makes enough for a family pack of chicken wings, or about 4 large chicken breasts. You’ll want to double (or triple) the amount for a whole chicken. Keep in mind that you don’t normally end up with crunchy skin (unless you coat the chicken) when you brine. You’re adding flavor. Lots of it.

For pork I use an apple brine instead.

Smoked Chicken Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Chicken Brine

This makes enough for a family pack of chicken wings, or about 4 large chicken breasts.
Course Marinade
Cuisine American
Keyword brined, chicken
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 288kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the chicken in a resealable bag.
  • Combine remaining ingredients and add to the bag.
  • Seal bag and place inside a large bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes to 2 hours, rotating the bag every 15 minutes or so.
  • Shake off excess brine before cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 9700mg | Potassium: 849mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.