How to Make Brined Smoked Chicken - A Step-by-Step Guide

Smoked chicken is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of recipes, from salads to sandwiches to pastas. The deep, smoky flavor of the meat adds a unique element to any dish, making it a popular choice for home cooks and professional chefs alike. For those looking to take their smoked chicken to the next level, brining is an essential step that infuses the meat with flavor and moisture, resulting in a tender and juicy final product.

Brining is the process of ...

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Ingredients

  • 1 gallon water
  • 1 ¼ pounds salt
  • ⅔ cup white sugar
  • ¾ cup soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 (3 1/2) pound whole chickens
  • kitchen twine
  • ¼ cup olive oil

Information

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 4 hrs
  • Additional Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
  • Total Time: 6 hrs 20 mins
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 2 whole chickens

  • Pour water into a large, non-aluminum container; add salt and sugar and stir to dissolve. Add soy sauce, tarragon, thyme, and pepper. Place chickens in the brine and weigh them down with a heavy plate so they stay submerged. Brine at room temperature for 2 hours, or in the refrigerator, 8 hours to overnight.
  • Remove chickens from brine, wash, and pat dry. Reserve brine. Tie the legs together of each chicken using kitchen twine.
  • Prepare a water smoker for cooking by preheating to 200 to 250 degrees F (93 to 120 degrees C). Fill the water pan with hot water and half of the reserved brine. Place chickens, breast side up, on the grill racks. Add wood chips according to manufacturer's directions. Cover.
  • Smoke chickens until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 4 hours, brushing chickens with olive oil every 2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from the smoker and let rest for 10 minutes. Carve and serve.
  • Nutrition

    425 cal.

    • Total Fat: 25g
    • Saturated Fat: 6g
    • Cholesterol: 113mg
    • Sodium: 19350mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 13g
    • Dietary Fiber: 0g
    • Total Sugars: 11g
    • Protein: 37g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 47mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 364mg