Beer-Brined Chicken

  • Prep 15 min
  • Total 11 hr 40 min
  • Servings 6

Ingredients

Brine and Chicken

  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup kosher (coarse) salt
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 cans or bottles (12 oz each) beer or nonalcoholic beer, chilled
  • 1 whole chicken (3 to 3 1/2 lb)

Rub

  • 3 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Steps

  • 1
    Line 2-quart bowl or saucepan with 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add water, kosher salt and brown sugar; stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in beer. Add chicken. Tightly seal bag; refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
  • 2
    Line 13x9-inch pan with foil. Remove chicken from brine; rinse thoroughly under cool running water and pat dry with paper towels. Discard brine. Place chicken, breast side up, in pan. Refrigerate uncovered 1 hour to dry chicken skin. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix all rub ingredients except oil; set aside.
  • 3
    Heat oven to 375°F. Brush oil over chicken. Sprinkle with seasoning mixture; rub into chicken skin. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when thickest piece is cut to bone (170°F for breasts; 180°F for thighs and drumsticks). Let stand 15 minutes for easiest carving.

  • You can skip the step of refrigerating the brined chicken 1 hour to dry the skin. This step results in a crispier skin, a technique used in Chinese cooking.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
280
Calories from Fat
160
Total Fat
18g
28%
Saturated Fat
4 1/2g
22%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
85mg
29%
Sodium
720mg
30%
Potassium
250mg
7%
Total Carbohydrate
0g
0%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
0g
Protein
27g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
15%
15%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
0%
0%
Iron
8%
8%
Exchanges:
0 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 4 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
0
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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