Grilled Beer-Brined Chicken

 

2

cups water

1/4

cup kosher (coarse) salt

1/4

cup packed brown sugar

4

cans or bottles (12 oz each) beer or nonalcoholic beer, chilled

2

cut-up whole chickens (3 to 3 1/2 lb each)

1

tablespoon paprika

1

teaspoon table salt

1/2

teaspoon onion powder

1/2

teaspoon garlic powder

1/2

teaspoon pepper

1/4

cup vegetable oil

• 1 In 6- to 8-quart noncorrosive (stainless steel, enamel-coated or plastic) container or stockpot, mix water, kosher salt and brown sugar, stirring until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in beer. Add chicken. Cover; refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• 2 Line 15x10-inch pan with sides with foil. Remove chicken from brine; rinse thoroughly under cool running water and pat dry with paper towels. Discard brine. Place chicken in pan. Refrigerate uncovered 1 hour to dry chicken skin. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix all rub ingredients except oil; set aside.
• 3 Heat gas or charcoal grill for indirect cooking. Brush oil over chicken; sprinkle rub mixture over chicken. For two-burner gas grill, heat one burner to medium; place chicken on unheated side. For one-burner gas grill, place chicken on grill over low heat. For charcoal grill, move medium coals to edge of firebox; place chicken over drip pan. Cover grill; cook 15 minutes.
• 4 Turn chicken over; cover grill and cook 20 to 30 minutes longer, turning occasionally, until juice of chicken is clear when thickest piece is cut to bone (170°F for breasts; 180°F for thighs and drumsticks).