Brine, Lemon-Based for Chicken

By HomeCookin

Ingredients

• 1 gallon cold water
• 1 cup plus 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs honey
• 12 bay leaves
• 1 head of garlic, smashed but not peeled
• 2 Tbs whole black peppercorns
• 3 large rosemary sprigs
• 1 small bunch of thyme
• 1 small bunch of parsley
• finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons

Preparation

Step 1

In a very large pot, combine 1 quart of the water with 1 cup of the salt, the honey, bay leaves, garlic, peppercorns, rosemary, thyme and parsley. Add the lemon zest, juice, and the lemon halves and bring to a simmer over moderate heat, stirring until the salt is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Stir in remaining 3 quarts of cold water. Add chicken, be sure it's submerged, and refrigerate overnight, or four hours minimum.

Drain chicken, rinse, pat dry.

Chicken is now ready for cooking, or may be further marinated, if desired. a lemon-based marinade would complement this brine.