Coffee-Brined Chicken With Redeye Sauce

By MooK

Ingredients

• Chicken
• 1/2 cup hot brewed espresso
• 1/4 cup coarse salt (kosher or sea)
• 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 4 lemon slices (each 1/4 inch thick)
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
• 1 tablespoon coriander seed
• 2 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts (each 12 to 19 ounces), or 4 half breasts (each 6 to 8 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• .
• Redeye Sauce
• 1 slice of bacon, thinly slivered
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons hot brewed espresso or strong coffee
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy (whipping) cream
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

For chicken:
1. Place the espresso, salt, and brown sugar in a large nonreactive mixing bowl and whisk until the salt and sugar dissolve. Add 3 cups of cool water and the lemon slices, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and coriander seed and stir to mix. Let the brine cool to room temperature.

2. If using whole chicken breasts, cut each breast in half. Trim any excess fat or sinews off the chicken breasts and discard. Rinse the breasts under cold running water, then drain and blot dry with paper towels. Remove the tenders from the chicken breasts and set aside for kebabs or satés. Add the chicken breasts to the brine and place a weight, such as a pot lid of plate, on top to keep them submerged. Or plate the breasts in a large resealable plastic bag and add the brine, let the chicken breasts brine in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours, turning them twice so they brine evenly.

3. When ready to cook, drain the chicken breasts, discarding the brine. Blot the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Lightly brush each breast on both sides with the butter.

4. Arrange the chicken breasts on the grill on a diagonal to the ridges and cook the chicken, until cooked through, following the instructions for any of the grills below, until cooked through. Use the poke test to check for doneness: the chicken should feel firm when pressed. Or insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thick part if a breast through one end: The internal temperature should be about 160°F.

5. Transfer chicken to a platter or plates and serve at once with the Redeye Sauce #3 on the side.

For redeye sauce:
1. Place the bacon in a heavy saucepan over medium heat and cook until the fat begins to melt, about 2 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the shallot and continue cooking until it and the bacon are golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Add the espresso and cider vinegar and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in the mustard, brown sugar, cream, and Worcestershire sauce, reduce the heat to medium, and let simmer gently until the sauce is thick and flavorful, 5 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.