Moist Dill Pickle-Brined Chicken

When you have leftover pickle juice, isn't it a waste not to use?  This delicious Moist Dill Pickle-Brined Chicken is the perfect way to use up leftover dill pickle juice while creating the moistest and flavourful chicken.  Some actually claim that a dill pickle-brine is the way that Chick-Fil-A produces its amazing-tasting chicken!

A pet peeve of mine is waste.

I once read on the internet that the average person wastes.

According to the US government, in 2010 the estimated food waste was between 30-40 percent of our entire food supply. This estimate, based on estimates from USDA's Economic Research Service that showed that 31 percent of food loss is at the retail and consumer levels

This corresponded to approximately 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY!

With so many people having a hard time making ends meet, not throwing away food is a quick and easy way to start saving money.

And, who doesn't love the taste of dill pickles?

So, this recipe is a win-win!

By using leftover pickle juice and marinating your chicken in the brine, you can create deliciously moist chicken in no time all the while saving money.

What is "Brine"

The official definition of the word "brine" is water that is strongly infused with salt.  The high salt content creates an osmotic reaction which helps to pull the flavours of the brine into the chicken.

Also, by pulling liquid into the chicken, not only does it help produce a delicious flavour but it also helps to keep the chicken nice and moist.

What ingredients do you need to make Moist Dill Pickle-Brined Chicken?

• Leftover dill pickle juice
• boneless, skinless chicken breasts

How do you make this super low-carb moist Dill Pickle-Brine Chicken?

• Cut your chicken breast into the desired shape
• Add the chicken to a glass container
• Add in the dill pickle juice
• Toss to coat
• Place in the fridge for 1 hour

This is the chicken on a SmartBaking Co. sunflower seed roll that is Keto and Gluten-free

How do I cook this chicken?

In the oven:

• Arrange chicken breasts in a 9×13 baking dish
• Rub olive oil all over each chicken breast and set aside.
• Transfer your chicken to the oven and cook at 425˚F for 22 to 25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
• Thinner breasts will need less time, thicker breasts might need a little more time in the oven.
• Start checking for doneness at the 20-minute mark.

On the stovetop:

• Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat
• Once the pan and the oil are hot, carefully add the dill pickle-brined chicken breasts.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan with chicken.
• If you need more than can comfortably fit in the pan, you’ll have to cook the chicken in batches.
• If possible, cover the skillet to help trap the heat and keep the grease from splattering
• When the chicken looks white halfway up the side of the chicken breast, it is ready to turn.
• Flip the chicken over and continue cooking it on the other side.
• A general rule of thumb is that it takes about 5-7 minutes on each side for the chicken to be fully cooked

In a crockpot:

• Add chicken to the crockpot
• Cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours

In an air fryer:

• Grease the air fryer pan well with avocado oil (or olive oil)
• Lightly grease the chicken and place the brined chicken in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket
• Cook the chicken at 375˚F for 10 minutes
• Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

On the grill:

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
• Place chicken on the grill for 7-8 minutes.
• Flip over and cook an additional 7-8 minutes or until no pink remains

Should you let the chicken rest before serving?

100% YES!

I am truly and utterly amazed at how much allowing the chicken to rest makes in terms of creating a deliciously moist chicken.

If you slice chicken (or other any meat for that matter) immediately after removing it from the heat source, the juices from the meat are able to escape.

This creates a drier chicken.

So, try to be patient and allow the chicken to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.

What can you serve along with this moist Easy Chicken recipe?

• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Loaded Mustard Vinaigrette Coleslaw
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Onions and Bacon (Whole30, Low Carb, GF)
• Quick and Easy Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
• Ricotta Asparagus Tart (Gluten-Free, Low Carb)

Deliciously Moist Dill Pickle-Brined Chicken

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This delicious Dill Pickle-Brined Chicken is the perfect way to use up leftover dill pickle juice while creating the moistest and flavourful chicken.

• Total Time: 38 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup dill pickle juice
• 4 - 4-6 oz chicken breast, boneless skinless
• additional seasonings (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

1. In a glass container, add chicken and pickle juice.  Allow resting for 30-60 minutes, stirring the chicken every so often.

To Bake the chicken in the oven:

1. Arrange chicken breasts in a 9×13 baking dish
2. Rub olive oil all over each chicken breast and set aside.
3. Transfer your chicken to the oven and cook at 425˚F for 22 to 25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
4. Thinner breasts will need less time, thicker breasts might need a little more time in the oven.
5. Start checking for doneness at the 20-minute mark.

To bake the chicken on the stovetop:

1. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat
2. Once the pan and the oil are hot, carefully add the dill pickle-brined chicken breasts.
3. Don’t overcrowd the pan with chicken.
4. If you need more than can comfortably fit in the pan, you’ll have to cook the chicken in batches.
5. If possible, cover the skillet to help trap the heat and keep the grease from splattering
6. When the chicken looks white halfway up the side of the chicken breast, it is ready to turn.
7. Flip the chicken over and continue cooking it on the other side.
8. A general rule of thumb is that it takes about 5-7 minutes on each side for the chicken to be fully cooked

To make the chicken in a crockpot:

1. Add chicken to the crockpot
2. Cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours

In an air fryer:

1. Grease the air fryer pan well with avocado oil (or olive oil)
2. Lightly grease the chicken and place the brined chicken in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket
3. Cook the chicken at 375˚F for 10 minutes
4. Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

To cook the chicken on the grill:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Place chicken on the grill for 7-8 minutes.
3. Flip over and cook an additional 7-8 minutes or until no pink remains

Notes

• Chicken can sit brine for longer...even overnight

• Author: Cat
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Main Meals
• Method: Air Fryer
• Cuisine: Keto, Low Carb, Gluten Free

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4 oz
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 0
• Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 0
• Fiber: 0
• Protein: 28 g