Grilled Feta Brined Chicken
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Recipe Intro From lisathompson
This grilled feta brined chicken recipe is the perfect, easy summer dinner. Brine chicken thighs with the leftover liquid from a container of feta cheese for tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken inside and out. Grill it up and serve alongside a simple tomato and cucumber salad.
Recipe Description
You've probably heard of people dry-brining their Thanksgiving turkey, but did you know that you can also brine other meats like pork loin and chicken? The extra liquid in a container of feta works similarly to a buttermilk brine. The lactic acid in the brine breaks down the fibers of the meat so the salt can work its way in. It also helps the flavor of the garlic and spices get down into the chicken, making it some of the best chicken I’ve ever had!
- Grilled Feta Brined Chicken Ingredients
- Brined Chicken Ingredients
- Test Kitchen Notes
- FAQs
- Recipe Card
Grilled Feta Brined Chicken Ingredients
Brined Chicken Ingredients
Feta Brine
Feta brine is, of course, the key ingredient to this chicken brine recipe! Make sure to get a container that’s an 8-10 ounce block of feta, that will be enough for 1 ½ pounds of chicken thighs or breasts. Be sure to reserve your feta to make salad, eggs, or pastries.
Test Kitchen Notes
The more time the better!
The longer you brine your chicken, the more flavor it will have. I recommend letting it sit in the brine overnight if you can, but for at least 6 hours at a minimum.
Use chicken thighs or breast.
I’m using chicken thighs in this recipe, but feta-brined chicken breast will work the same way.
Dry your chicken.
When you take your chicken out of the brine, make sure to pat it dry and leave it out at room temperature from 30 mins to 1 hour. If your chicken is still wet, it will cause it to steam while cooking, which can lead to rubbery chicken.
Tent the chicken.
After you take the chicken off the grill, cover it with a tent of foil for 5 minutes to finish carry-over cooking and help it stay juicy.
FAQs
What is feta brined chicken?
Brining is the process of combining proteins with a liquid containing a high-concentration of salt or sugar. Feta is a salty cheese, so its liquid is perfect for brining and tenderizing chicken. This feta-brined grilled chicken recipe also uses garlic and spices to help infuse flavor.
Can you cook with feta brine?
Absolutely! Soaking meats like chicken or pork in a brine intensifies the flavors and breaks down the fibers of the meat to make them super tender. You may have also heard of using pickle brine for fried chicken, it works the same way.
What can I use feta brine for?
After you use the feta cheese itself, you can use the cloudy, tangy, leftover brine for marinating poultry, mixing into pizza dough, brining fruits and vegetables, flavoring tofu, or even making salad dressings and sauces. It adds an acidic, salty taste to whatever you use it with.
Recipe Card
For the Brined Chicken
ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 head garlic, cloves crushed and peeled
- 1 8-10 ounce block feta cheese in brine
- 3/4 teaspoon dried mint or oregano
- Black pepper
For the Tomato-Cucumber Salad
ingredients
- 2 pounds tomatoes, cut into 1 1/2" pieces
- 2 pounds small Persian cucumbers, 1" dice
- 1/4 red onion, very thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup sherry, red wine, or white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried mint or oregano
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Toasted bread, for serving (optional)
Brining the Chicken
Method
Step 1
Place chicken thighs in a bowl or container with an airtight lid, then pour the brine from the feta container over the chicken.
Step 2
Add crushed garlic, dried mint or oregano, and black pepper, and toss the brine ingredients with the chicken.
Step 3
Pack the chicken into an even layer, keeping thighs submerged if possible.
Step 4
Cover and place it in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least 6 hours.
Grilling the Chicken
Step 1
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and pat it dry with paper towels, then lightly drizzle with a neutral oil. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes- 1 hour.
Step 2
Preheat the grill to medium-high (about 475-500F).
Step 3
Grill the chicken for about 5 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until cooked through.
Step 4
Remove the chicken from the heat and tent the chicken with a piece of foil for about 5 minutes.
Step 5
Slice the chicken along the grain and serve it with the salad, alongside toasted bread for dipping, if desired. Or serve it as feta-brined chicken sandwiches.
Making the Salad
Step 1
Add sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, crumbled feta, sliced red onion, dried mint or oregano, vinegar, and olive oil to a large bowl.
Step 2
Toss it together then season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Let the salad marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Step 4
Serve the tomato-cucumber salad into rimmed plates or shallow bowls, then pour a few spoonfuls of the dressing overtop.