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We did two beer can chickens yesterday for company.

I used a simple rub on the chicken with a bit of the rub in half of a beer.
Put them in the smokette and smoked them for about 5 hours (175 degrees in the thigh) at 225 degrees with 2 ounces of apple.
When done the chicken was served with an Alabama white sauce I found here somewhere.
Every one loved the chicken and sauce as it was moist and tasty beyond expectations.

So now I�m ready for some help testing brining. Last year I tried to brine a turkey and it was so salty (possibly pre brined or injected) we swore we�d never try again. After reading this forum for a while, you folks have convinced me it�s time to try again!

So, I�m looking for help to set up a simple test of brined vs not brined chicken for two people. I�m wondering what would make the best comparisons.
Using Smokin� Okies Brining 101:
Brine:
� cup kosher salt
� cup sugar
1 gallon water

Split a chicken in half and brine one side. Unsure how long to brine
Use a couple of breasts. One hour brine.
Use some legs thighs and wings. One and one half hour brine.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
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Good luck with your test.

The brine you have is pretty light on salt, so that should suit you better.

Brining 101

For the chicken, I'd suggest:

1/2 chicken, brine for at least 4 hours

breasts (bone in?): You might try two (even though 101 says 1)

thighs/legs: They are denser, I'd double your time to 2 or 3 hours

You can also add other items to your recipe, just about anything goes. More sweet, less sweet, add savory, or for the test just leave it like that.

Let us know how it comes out.

Russ
Chickenlips, I just checked my notes...
It seems like I bumped the temp to 250 for the last 15 to 20 minutes, In hopes of helping the skin.
I'm really clueless as no one complained about the skin, they just ate it all!
We had a bit of left over breast tonight... It was the best day old I've ever had, as it was still moist.

I'll work on the brine next week as we really want to try a turkey breast soon.

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