Emily Carter
Pickle brine chicken is an easy and versatile dish that yields super tender and juicy meat with a crispy crust. The marinade is made with simple ingredients: chicken, salt, pepper, and pickle juice. The longer the chicken sits in the marinade, the more flavourful it becomes. The chicken can be grilled, baked in the oven, or cooked in an air fryer. For an extra kick of flavour, the chicken can be marinated in buttermilk along with the pickle juice. This is a great way to use leftover pickle juice and create a delicious meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marinade ingredients | Pickle juice, buttermilk, Tabasco, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar |
| Chicken type | Boneless chicken breast, chicken thighs, chicken wings, chicken tenders |
| Marinating time | 2 hours minimum, up to 24 hours |
| Cooking method | Grilling, baking, air fryer, frying |
| Cooking temperature | 300-450°F (160-230°C) |
| Internal temperature | 165°F (74°C) |
| Result | Juicy, tender, flavorful |
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What You'll Learn
Marinating time: 2 hours minimum, 24 hours maximum
Marinating chicken in milk and pickle juice is a great way to ensure your chicken is tender and full of flavour. This technique is commonly used in the southern states of the USA. The milk, or buttermilk, makes the chicken more tender, while the pickle juice adds flavour and tenderness.
To make the most of this technique, you'll want to leave the chicken to marinate for long enough to absorb the flavours. The minimum marinating time is 2 hours, but you can leave it for up to 24 hours. Leaving it for the minimum time will still impart flavour, but the longer it sits, the more flavour it will absorb.
Leaving the chicken in the marinade for 4 hours or overnight is ideal. This gives the marinade time to really permeate the chicken, resulting in a more intense flavour. However, don't leave it for longer than 24 hours. After this point, the marinade will start to break down the chicken, changing the texture.
Once your chicken has finished marinating, remove it from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. This step is important as it removes any excess moisture before cooking. From here, you can grill, bake or fry your chicken.
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Chicken preparation: Pat dry, season, and grill
Preparing chicken can be a simple process, but there are a few key steps to keep in mind to ensure your meat is juicy and tender. Firstly, pat your chicken dry with paper towels. While some may skip this step, patting the chicken dry helps to remove excess moisture, which can lead to a better sear and more even cooking.
Next, seasoning is key to adding flavour to your chicken. A simple seasoning blend can include garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, dried parsley, smoked paprika, and extra virgin olive oil. You can also add some acidity to your marinade, such as pickle juice or lemon juice, to help tenderise the meat. For a basic marinade, combine salt, pepper, and pickle juice, and let the chicken sit for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours for maximum flavour.
Finally, grilling the chicken is the last step in the preparation process. Before grilling, ensure your grill is very hot and has been oiled to prevent sticking and create desirable grill marks. Place the chicken close to direct heat and grill for 6-8 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and move it to indirect heat, cooking for another 5-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring your chicken is juicy and tender.
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Cooking methods: Grilling, baking, air frying
Grilling
After marinating the chicken in pickle juice for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours, remove the chicken from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Heat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit). Once hot, place the chicken close to direct heat and grill for 6-8 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and move it to indirect heat (not directly over coals or fire) and cook for another 5-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Baking
Although specific instructions for baking chicken marinated in milk and pickle juice could not be found, a general recipe for baking chicken involves preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, placing the chicken in a baking dish, and baking for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Air Frying
After marinating the chicken in pickle juice for at least 4 hours or overnight, remove the chicken from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Coat the chicken in a mayo/mustard mixture using your hands or a basting brush. Then, place the chicken in the air fryer and cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Serving suggestions: With a side of pickles
Chicken marinated in milk and pickle juice is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some serving suggestions, specifically paired with a side of pickles:
Fried Chicken Sandwich
Create a fried chicken sandwich by placing the chicken between hamburger rolls, and adding lettuce, tomato, sliced dill pickles, and mayonnaise. You can also add some hot sauce for an extra kick. This sandwich is best enjoyed immediately while the chicken is still crispy.
Chicken and Pickles with a Side of Mac and Cheese
This option is a kid-approved combination. Serve the chicken with a side of mac and cheese, and some extra pickles on the side. This option is perfect for satisfying different taste preferences, as the pickles can be easily added or left out.
Chicken with a Green Salad
For a lighter option, serve the chicken with a fresh green salad. You can place the chicken on top of the salad, or keep it separate. Don't forget to include some sliced pickles in the salad for that extra crunch and flavour.
Chicken and Potato Salad
Potato salad is a hearty and delicious side dish to pair with the chicken. Try making a steakhouse potato salad or a honey mustard potato salad to complement the flavours of the chicken and pickles.
Chicken and French Fries
Chicken and French fries are a classic combination. You can cook a bag of frozen fries or make them from scratch. Don't forget to serve some crispy pickles on the side for a complete meal.
These serving suggestions offer a range of options to enjoy the milk and pickle juice-marinated chicken with a side of pickles. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavours and combinations to find your favourite pairings.
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Freezing: Freeze chicken in bags of pickle juice
Freezing chicken in bags of pickle juice is a great way to ensure you always have juicy and flavourful chicken on hand. This method is perfect for those who want to meal prep and have tender chicken ready to go for a quick and delicious dinner.
To freeze chicken in bags of pickle juice, start by preparing your chicken. You can use any cut of chicken you like, such as chicken breasts, thighs, wings, or tenders. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the chicken can absorb the flavours of the marinade more effectively.
Next, gather your pickle juice. You can use the leftover juice from a jar of pickles or purchase pickle juice specifically for this purpose. If you want to add more flavour to your marinade, you can also include ingredients like salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika. Mix these ingredients with the pickle juice in a large bowl.
Now, it's time to add the chicken to the marinade. Place the chicken in a large freezer bag and pour in the pickle juice mixture, ensuring that the chicken is fully coated. Squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it tightly. Label the bag with the date and contents, so you know exactly what you're reaching for when you're ready to cook.
Finally, place the bagged chicken into your freezer. It's best to lay the bags flat to save space and for quicker thawing. Your pickle-juiced chicken will last for several months in the freezer. When you're ready to cook, simply thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of cold water for a few hours. Then, cook the chicken according to your favourite recipe!
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, but for the best results, leave it overnight.
You can grill, bake, fry, or air fry the chicken.
For grilling, the temperature should be around 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit. For baking, 350 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. For frying, the oil temperature should be between 300-320 degrees Fahrenheit.
This chicken goes well with sweet pickles on the side. You can also serve it with a creamy cucumber salad and garlic dill fries.
Chicken thighs are commonly used for this marinade, but chicken wings, tenders, or breasts would also work well.
