HOW TO BRINE AND ROAST A CHICKEN! EASY AND DELICIOUS! ❤
Today I’m sharing how to brine and roast a whole chicken so it turns out tender, juicy, and full of flavor every single time. Once you try this method, you’ll never want store-bought rotisserie chicken again.
Ingredients — Brine
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10 cups water
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1/2 cup kosher salt
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1/2 cup honey (or brown sugar)
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1 tsp onion powder
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 Tbsp whole peppercorns
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3 bay leaves
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3 sprigs thyme
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3 sprigs rosemary
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A few onion pieces
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Lemon slices
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A small sprig of fresh parsley
Ingredients — Seasoning Rub
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2 tsp smoked paprika
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1½ tsp onion powder
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1½ tsp garlic powder
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1/2 tsp sage
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Pepper + a little salt
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6 Tbsp softened butter
How to Make It
1. Make the brine
Bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Add salt, honey, herbs, spices, onion, lemon, and parsley. Simmer 5 minutes until the salt dissolves. Remove from heat and let the brine cool completely.
2. Brine the chicken
Use a whole organic chicken. Place it in a large bowl and pour the cooled brine over it. Make sure the chicken is fully submerged (use a heavy lid to weigh it down if needed).
Cover and refrigerate 4–24 hours (overnight is best).
3. Rinse + dry the chicken
Remove from the brine. Rinse very well under cold water. Let it drain, then pat completely dry.
Loosen the skin gently with your fingers so seasoning can go underneath.
4. Tie the legs
Use butcher’s twine to tie the legs together for more even roasting.
5. Mix the seasoning rub
Combine paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, sage, pepper, salt, and softened butter.
Rub generously under the skin, inside, and all over the outside of the chicken.
Sprinkle a little extra seasoning on top. Tuck the wings underneath.
6. Roast
Place on a small rack inside a cast-iron skillet. Add a little water to the bottom.
Cover loosely with foil.
Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 1 hour 40 minutes.
Remove foil during the last 15 minutes to brown the skin.
Baste 3–4 times with the juices.
Internal temp should reach 165°F (74°C).
7. Rest + serve
Let the chicken rest 15 minutes before carving.
Serve with mashed potatoes, gravy, or roasted vegetables.
Juicy, tender, flavorful — the perfect homemade roasted chicken.
