Sunday, June 21, 2009

Apple cider brined chicken

I had a chicken in the freezer and was looking for something interesting to do with it. I know that it's not exactly the season to be cooking with apple cider, but trust me here. This apple cider brined chicken is great any time of the year.

The brine ensures a moist end product, and the cider adds just a touch of spice and sweetness. The recipe called for removing the skin partway through cooking time, but that sounded like a lot of mess and hassle, so I left the skin on. The sugar in the cider made for very crisp and browned skin, so I'm glad I didn't remove it.

I think this would also be great on the grill, I would suggest cooking it over indirect heat to prevent burning.

apple cider brined chicken
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85 comments:

  1. JulieJune 21, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    Looks so delicious!

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  2. AnonymousJune 21, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    Absolutely great pictures. Some of the best on the net. Chicken sounds pretty delectable, too. LOL

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  3. AnonymousJune 21, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    Wow! This chicken looks amazing. I have not tried to brine yet but this looks worth the time. Deb

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  4. Christo GonzalesJune 21, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    that chicken looks so good it seems like if you startled it - it would fall off the bone.

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  5. PearlJune 21, 2009 at 5:16 PM

    great photos!

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  6. UnknownJune 21, 2009 at 5:18 PM

    That chicken looks amazing Sara! I love how crispy and delicious the skin looks!

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  7. DewiJune 21, 2009 at 5:28 PM

    the recipe sound so good Sara. I'll keep this in mind.
    Great photo of the chicken.

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  8. foodcreateJune 21, 2009 at 6:00 PM

    I LOVE the Apple cider brined chicken I made your recipe today and it turn out so delicious.I took it outside and everyone enjoyed:)

    Thanks Sara for your wonderful recipe:) and for Stoping by:)

    Have a Great Day! http://foodcreate.com

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  9. ♥peachkins♥June 21, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    This chicken looks great..and the chicken skin is to die for..

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  10. Heather S-GJune 21, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    It's beautiful! I bet that apple cider adds a great sweetness.

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  11. SarahJune 21, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    Sarah, looks absolutely delicious!

    P.s. I'm posting again

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  12. Creative Classroom CoreJune 21, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    Ive never tried a brine before, but it sounds great! I love the idea of apple cider!

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  13. JenniferJune 21, 2009 at 7:28 PM

    WOW I need to try this! Looks amazing!!

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  14. Jersey Girl CooksJune 21, 2009 at 8:11 PM

    I think I will try this on the grill.

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  15. SeanJune 21, 2009 at 8:46 PM

    Mmm that skin looks so crispy. Delicious!

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  16. JenniferJune 21, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    Sarah, that looks great, I am going to use it the next time I make Turkey!

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  17. ManggyJune 21, 2009 at 9:36 PM

    The recipe had you discarding that awesome skin!? Inconceivable!! :) It looks smashing the way you've done it! :)

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  18. Angie's RecipesJune 21, 2009 at 9:59 PM

    GREAT pic!
    Crispy chicken marinated with apple cider....writing that has already made me drool over....

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  19. Rosa's Yummy YumsJune 21, 2009 at 10:00 PM

    That chicken must taste wonderful! Yummy!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  20. FinlaJune 21, 2009 at 11:46 PM

    That just look super super crunchy delcious.

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  21. Deb in HawaiiJune 22, 2009 at 12:38 AM

    I keep reading things about brining chicken. I am going to have to try it. This looks delicious.

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  22. Sam Hoffer / My Carolina KitchenJune 22, 2009 at 3:19 AM

    Beautiful chicken. Yours is much prettier than the one in the link. I've never brined much but this is encouraging. Mario Batali is always brining too and says it makes a world of difference. Guess I better start brining.
    Sam

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  23. pamJune 22, 2009 at 4:11 AM

    You're right that skin came out perfect!

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  24. DebbieJune 22, 2009 at 5:21 AM

    That chicken looks fantastic. Just wondeful and tasty!

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  25. Amanda @ Mrs.W's KitchenJune 22, 2009 at 5:46 AM

    It's not even 9am and here I sit, drooling away over your chicken. Fantastic, as always.

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  26. CathyJune 22, 2009 at 5:50 AM

    Gorgeous pics Sara! I love cider brined chicken.

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  27. CassieJune 22, 2009 at 6:02 AM

    This sounds absolutely delicious to me right now!

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  28. ZoeJune 22, 2009 at 6:28 AM

    It turned out great! Thanks for sharing!

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  29. JennaJune 22, 2009 at 7:07 AM

    this looks great! I need to try brining some time!

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  30. stephchowsJune 22, 2009 at 7:09 AM

    I'll take apply cider any time of the year! Look delicious!

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  31. AnonymousJune 22, 2009 at 7:41 AM

    Great idea to brine chicken in apple cider! I bet they are so succulent!

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  32. Rosie HawthorneJune 22, 2009 at 9:06 AM

    That chicken is beautiful, Sara.
    Whenever I do a chicken or turkey, I always brine it. Keeps it very moist. Haven't tried the apple cider brine yet but that's on my to-do list.

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  33. gastroanthropologistJune 22, 2009 at 9:14 AM

    Looks delicious. Did you use apple cider the sweet sort or the hard apple cider?

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  34. Jenn@slim-shoppinJune 22, 2009 at 10:37 AM

    I've never tried brining before. My sister does it all the time.

    This recipe looks like something I could make!

    I think it would have been weird to take the skin off too. That's the best part!

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  35. Culinary WannabeJune 22, 2009 at 11:48 AM

    Taking the skin off would be a crime! It's the best part, especially when it gets all crisp and tasty!

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  36. Nutmeg NannyJune 22, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    This chicken looks great! Now I'm craving chicken:)

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  37. Ingrid_3BsJune 22, 2009 at 12:20 PM

    Good call on leaving the skin on....I think if I made chicken like that my kids might actually like it! Sara that looks REALLY good!
    ~ingrid

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  38. SaraJune 22, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    Your chicken looks delicious! Leaving the skin on was a good choice and it sounds like a lot less work.

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  39. teresaJune 22, 2009 at 1:07 PM

    I have never tried brining anything, but this looks so good I think it's time I do!

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  40. The Food HunterJune 22, 2009 at 1:11 PM

    This looks amazing!

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  41. The Blonde DuckJune 22, 2009 at 2:12 PM

    I feel like chicken tonight...

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  42. SomaJune 22, 2009 at 2:27 PM

    Love the texture. Delectable photos.

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  43. MariaJune 22, 2009 at 4:26 PM

    apple cider brined...love it!

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  44. ReeniJune 22, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    How gorgeous!!

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  45. AnnieJune 22, 2009 at 5:33 PM

    The chicken looks amazing! And the recipe sounds great. I will be trying this one for sure!

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  46. HeatherJune 22, 2009 at 5:46 PM

    wow! that looks PERFECT!

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  47. La Bella CooksJune 22, 2009 at 6:47 PM

    Oh wow, I am craving this. Sounds divine!

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  48. AnonymousJune 22, 2009 at 7:33 PM

    I've never tried brining. You have totally inspired and convinced me to give it a shot.

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  49. lk- Healthy DeliciousJune 22, 2009 at 9:33 PM

    wow- the color on that chicken is beautiful! I did a cider bring for thanksgiving one year and it was marvelous.

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  50. noble pigJune 22, 2009 at 11:31 PM

    Yes it's perfect for anytime, and it looks amazing.

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  51. lubnakarim06June 23, 2009 at 3:25 AM

    Looks drool worthy...

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  52. Donna-FFWJune 23, 2009 at 6:07 AM

    Sara- This looks delectable. Absolutely delicious!

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  53. The Fajdich TimesJune 23, 2009 at 7:44 AM

    Your chicken looks amazing! The brine sounds excellent. I think is would be great for a turkey on the grill:)

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  54. DianaJune 23, 2009 at 9:33 AM

    That is calling out for a hearty side of potato salad and a glass of lemonade. Love that golden color -- really is perfect for summer!

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  55. marisJune 23, 2009 at 10:10 AM

    I love apple cider in marinades - it reminds me that my favorite season, fall, is right around the corner!

    Also - hope you like my new blog home! I can't remember if I emailed you but wanted to make sure you knew :)

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  56. SaraJune 23, 2009 at 5:29 PM

    Sara, this looks delicious. Even before I saw your final sentence about grilling it, I was already planning on doing so!

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  57. SelbaJune 23, 2009 at 7:39 PM

    This is so scrumptious!!! *drool*

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  58. KerstinJune 23, 2009 at 8:28 PM

    Wow, the chicken skin looks so crispy and delicious! My mouth is watering!

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  59. La Cuisine d'HeleneJune 23, 2009 at 9:30 PM

    I usually brine my Turkey at Christmas. I should try doing it with chicken. Love the pics.

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  60. JamieJune 23, 2009 at 11:19 PM

    Oooh, this is my kind of chicken! Beautiful and scrumptious!

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  61. unconfidentialcookJune 24, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    Wow, that looks like some great, crispy bird!

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  62. nora@ffrJune 24, 2009 at 8:46 AM

    wow sara!! these chicken are totally drool worthy.. yummm!! vat a great combo with apple:)

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  63. Lyndas recipe boxJune 24, 2009 at 9:10 AM

    This chicken sounds amazing, Sara; who cares about the season when you have something this good! I'm going to try this.

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  64. pigpigscornerJune 25, 2009 at 7:51 AM

    Wow, they look amazing! THe colour makes it looks so appetising!

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  65. Melissa @ For the Love of HealthJune 25, 2009 at 12:49 PM

    what an amazing recipe! I love chicken and I can only imagine how wonderful it tastes!

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  66. ClaudiaJune 25, 2009 at 5:23 PM

    I love vinegar brines - on chicken, pork, turkey... you get the picture. Yes, this is a keeper - just a gorgeous and delicious way to cook a chicken.

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  67. Live.Love.EatJune 26, 2009 at 6:24 AM

    Season, schmeason, I trust you! This looks incredible.

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  68. RobinJune 26, 2009 at 6:37 AM

    I have never done a brine before but see that it is all the rage. I better join the rage if I want good food too!

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  69. OlgaJune 26, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    Seriously? that looks gorgeous!!!

    A few nights ago I browned a few chicken breasts in a pan and then poured some apple cider vinegar and cranberry juice into the pan, covered and let everything cook for 5 min.

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  70. JannJune 26, 2009 at 4:44 PM

    I can smell this cooking now! Would love to taste this!

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  71. Gera@SweetsFoodsBlogJune 26, 2009 at 5:09 PM

    Your chicken with apple cider rocks! So irresistible :)

    Cheers!

    Gera

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  72. MartaJune 26, 2009 at 7:22 PM

    Cider cooking knows no season!
    This looks fantastic, I completely trust you! Brines are such a key to gorgeous chicken, and I'm sure the cider just adds the extra tenderness. Lovely dish!

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  73. Chef FrescoJune 27, 2009 at 7:03 PM

    I bet that apple cider on the chicken is so delicious! They look perfectly done too! Yum!

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  74. Jessica@FoodMayhemJune 28, 2009 at 10:50 AM

    Look at that gorgeous color!

    Sara, you are featured this week on our Weekend Shout Out: see here

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  75. Lori LynnJune 28, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    I vote for skin on!
    LL

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  76. DragonJune 28, 2009 at 5:16 PM

    This chicken looks divine, Sara!

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  77. ♥Rosie♥June 29, 2009 at 7:40 AM

    Utterly delicious chicken and your pics are amazing!!

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  78. AnonymousJune 29, 2009 at 8:58 PM

    This looks amazing Sara! Sorry I have not been by I just moved to another domain = )

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  79. JanJune 29, 2009 at 9:08 PM

    This looks spectacular, I'm going to have to try this on the grill - soon!

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  80. leslie MillerJuly 2, 2009 at 7:57 AM

    this sounds like just what i was looking for!

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  81. JudyJuly 4, 2009 at 12:14 PM

    I've been thinking of doing a chicken or pork chops with the apple cider brine also. Thanks for sharing.

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  82. Chef EJuly 6, 2009 at 9:31 PM

    Call me crazy, but I could make a meal of the skin, lol, yes we never understood our parents pulling off, or us and then they ate it first!

    Looks divine, I do this with fish, so why not chicken, so be it!

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  83. KiezieJuly 10, 2009 at 3:27 PM

    How fabulous!! I can't wait to use apple cider to brine! This looks wonderful!

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  84. JudeJuly 14, 2009 at 6:31 PM

    Wow. Does the cider give it that reddish brown color? Never tried any brine like this before.

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  85. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    this is a great looking recipe! i couldn't find your copyright info, so i wanted to let you know that i used your photo in an entry i wrote about grilling and brining chicken (giving you credit and a link back to your entry, of course!) here it is if you'd like to check it out!

    http://reluctantwwfoodie.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/grill-brine-and-sunshine/

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