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Grilled Beer-Brined Whole Chicken

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Grilled Beer-Brined Whole Chicken
  • Prep 35 min
  • Total 7 hr 20 min
  • Servings 4
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The results are so juicy and flavorful, you may never grill an un-brined chicken again!
By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Mar 22, 2013

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.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    In this recipe, the beer penetrates the meat of the chicken along with the brine, lending extra flavor as well as extra moisture.

Nutrition

290 Calories, 12g Total Fat, 45g Protein, 3g Total Carbohydrate, 2g Sugars

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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