Grilled Beer-Brined Whole Chicken

  • Prep 35 min
  • Total 7 hr 20 min
  • Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 teaspoons chili powder
  • 4 1/2 cups water
  • 1 can or bottle (12 oz) beer
  • 1 whole chicken (3 1/2 lb)

Steps

  • 1
    To make brine, in 3-quart saucepan, mix salt, sugar and chili powder. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the water. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 2 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of salt is dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining 3 cups water and the beer. Cool, stirring occasionally, until room temperature and all salt is dissolved, about 20 minutes.
  • 2
    Remove and discard neck and giblets from chicken. Rinse chicken with cold water. Place chicken in large resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add brine. Squeeze bag to remove excess air, bringing brine up around chicken to cover; seal bag. Set bag in medium bowl; refrigerate 5 to 6 hours to marinate.
  • 3
    Heat gas or charcoal grill for indirect grilling as directed in owner's manual. Remove chicken from brine; discard brine. Insert meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone. Place chicken over unheated area on grill; cover grill. Cook with medium heat 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 hours or until thermometer reads 180°F and legs move easily when lifted or twisted.

  • In this recipe, the beer penetrates the meat of the chicken along with the brine, lending extra flavor as well as extra moisture.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
290
Calories from Fat
100
Total Fat
12g
18%
Saturated Fat
3g
16%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
135mg
46%
Sodium
1910mg
80%
Potassium
390mg
11%
Total Carbohydrate
3g
1%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
2g
Protein
45g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
6%
6%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
2%
2%
Iron
10%
10%
Exchanges:
0 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 6 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
0
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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