Best 2 Mesquite Chicken Brine Recipes

Mesquite chicken brine is a flavorful and aromatic way to enhance the taste of your poultry. The brine, made with a combination of spices, herbs, and liquids, infuses the chicken with moisture and flavor, resulting in a tender and juicy dish. Whether you're grilling, roasting, or smoking your chicken, using a mesquite chicken brine will elevate the taste and make your meal unforgettable.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

PERFECT CHICKEN BRINE

Perfect Chicken Brine image

Brining chicken adds tons of flavor and keeps the meat moist. Several years of experimenting with ingredients and method and I finally found the right combination for my perfect chicken brine.

Provided by Kate Leifker

Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

16 cups water
¾ cup kosher salt
⅔ cup white sugar
2 heads garlic, crushed and chopped
¼ cup dried sage, or to taste
¼ cup dried basil, or to taste
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
1 large bay leaf

Steps:

Mix water, kosher salt, white sugar, garlic, sage, basil, peppercorns, and bay leaf in a large pot over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the salt and sugar are dissolved completely, about 20 minutes.
Remove pot from heat and cover with a lid. Cool brine at room temperature for 2 hours before refrigerating to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 37.8 calories, Carbohydrate 9.2 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 0.6 g, Sodium 3422.9 mg, Sugar 6.7 g

LEMON PEPPER MESQUITE GRILLED CHICKEN (SOUTHWEST)

Lemon Pepper Mesquite Grilled Chicken (Southwest) image

This is a very easy recipe that produces spectacular results. The citrus juice tenderizes and the lemon flavor, combined with the mesquite is to die for. This works with any cut of chicken--breasts to wings. Prep time does not include time to marinate.

Provided by Pokey in San Antonio

Categories Chicken Breast

Time 1h10m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

3 lbs chicken
1 cup lemon juice
1 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons black pepper (coarse ground)
1 tablespoon salt

Steps:

Wash and pat dry chicken pieces, and place in plastic bag.
Pour lemon juice and olive oil over chicken, seal, and marinate for 3 hours in the refrigerator.
Remove from bag, discard marinate, and sprinkle liberal amounts of coarse ground black pepper and salt.
Cook chicken on grill, using indirect heating method, or a smoker using charcoal briquettes and mesquite chunks. Whole chicken breasts will take about an hour (in a Webber). Smaller pieces will take less time.
When done, serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630.5, Fat 56.9, SaturatedFat 10.9, Cholesterol 103.5, Sodium 1261.4, Carbohydrate 4.9, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 1, Protein 26.1

Tips:

Use a flavorful brine. The brine is what gives the chicken its flavor, so make sure to use a brine that is packed with flavor. The recipe in the article uses a brine made with mesquite leaves, salt, brown sugar, garlic, and chili peppers.
Brine the chicken for at least 4 hours, or overnight. The longer you brine the chicken, the more flavor it will absorb. If you are short on time, you can brine the chicken for as little as 2 hours, but 4 hours is ideal.
Rinse the chicken thoroughly before cooking. This will remove any excess salt from the brine.
Cook the chicken over medium heat. This will help to prevent the chicken from drying out.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Conclusion:

Mesquite chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. The brine infuses the chicken with a smoky and savory flavor, and the chicken is cooked to perfection over medium heat. This recipe is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.