Perfect Chicken Brine

Brining chicken adds tons of flavor and keeps the meat moist. Several years of experimenting with ingredients and method and I finally found the right combination for my perfect chicken brine.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 38 Calories

Ingredients

• ⅔ cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
• 1 large bay leaf
• 16 cups water
• ¾ cup kosher salt
• 2 heads garlic, crushed and chopped
• ¼ cup dried sage, or to taste
• ¼ cup dried basil, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Mix water, kosher salt, white sugar, garlic, sage, basil, peppercorns, and bay leaf in a large pot over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the salt and sugar are dissolved completely, about 20 minutes.

Step 2

Remove pot from heat and cover with a lid. Cool brine at room temperature for 2 hours before refrigerating to cool completely.