Dai Due's Master Brined Chicken

Serves: 6

Citlalli Gibson

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

51

Spice

48

Sweetness

53

Sourness

43

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 cup

Sugar

1

Lemon

Directions:

1

Combine 5 ounces kosher salt (1 cup Diamond Crystal or 1/2 cup Morton), 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon black peppercorns in a large pot

2

Squeeze in juice from 1 halved lemon and add lemon to pot along with 2 quarts water

3

Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar

4

Remove pot from heat and stir in 2 quarts ice water

5

Add one or two 2 1/2-pound chickens to brine, weight with a plate to keep submerged, if needed, and cover

6

Chill 12–24 hours

7

Remove chickens from brine; pat dry

8

Place in a large baking dish and chill, uncovered, 3–12 hours (longer is better) to dry skin (this results in a crispier bird)

9

Combine 5 ounces kosher salt (1 cup Diamond Crystal or 1/2 cup Morton), 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon black peppercorns in a large pot

10

Squeeze in juice from 1 halved lemon and add lemon to pot along with 2 quarts water

11

Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar

12

Remove pot from heat and stir in 2 quarts ice water

13

Add one or two 2 1/2-pound chickens to brine, weight with a plate to keep submerged, if needed, and cover

14

Chill 12–24 hours

15

Remove chickens from brine; pat dry

16

Place in a large baking dish and chill, uncovered, 3–12 hours (longer is better) to dry skin (this results in a crispier bird)