Perfect Chicken Brine

This simple chicken brine will add a ton of flavor to whole chickens or bone-in pieces, while ensuring the meat stays super moist as it's cooked.

• Preparation Time: 5 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 47 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
• 1 large bay leaf
• 16 cups water
• 2 heads garlic, crushed and chopped
• 0.66666668653488 cup white sugar
• 0.75 cup kosher salt
• 0.25 cup dried sage, or to taste
• 0.25 cup dried basil, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring water, kosher salt, sugar, sage, basil, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaf to a simmer in a large pot over medium-high heat; this could take upwards of 20 minutes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until salt and sugar are dissolved completely, about 20 minutes.

Step 2

Remove from the heat and cover with a lid. Let brine sit at room temperature for 2 hours; this lets the dried herbs steep and really enhances the flavor of the brine. Refrigerate to finish cooling before using, at least 1 hour.