How to Make Sugar Brine Chicken

Brining chicken adds a great deal of flavor without fat or excessive calories. Experts suggest brining chicken improves the moist qualities of roast or grilled chicken. This easy brining solution will provide moist and flavorful chicken for your next BBQ.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 roasting or frying chicken
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup kosher salt
• 1 bunch thyme
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 gallon ziplock bag
• Dash kosher salt
• Dash fresh ground pepper
• ceramic casserole dish
• roasting pan or cookie sheet lined with tin foil

Instructions

Preparation for Sugar Brined Chicken

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place 1/2 chicken into gallon ziplock bag. Sprinkle kosher salt, brown sugar, thyme, salt and pepper on top of the chicken inside the bag. Add water to the bag and mix all the ingredients together.

2. Place chicken in the bag inside a casserole dish and then place in the refrigerator. The casserole dish is used just in case the bag has a leak. Marinate for at least one hour or for about four hours maximum.

3. Take the chicken out of the marinade and place on cookie sheet or roasting pan. Pat the chicken dry completely. If you don't do this step, the chicken skin will not crisp. Sprinkle kosher salt and fresh ground pepper on top of the chicken skin.

4. Place in a preheated oven and roast for about 35 minutes or until the internal chicken thigh temperature reaches 165 degrees. Remove from oven and let sit for ten minutes before serving.