Green Apple Brined Chicken

My husband and kids love chicken. I mean love it! So I had to come up with some other recipe to feed these chicken monsters, and I thought why not do a brined whole chicken in perfect time for my mom and sister to visit as well. And this is the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 Gallon of Water

• 1 Cup of Salt

• 1 Cup of Sugar

• 3 Green Apples

• 1 Onion

• 1 Garlic Head (Cut in 1/2)

• 10 Bay Leaves

• Handful of Juniper Berries

• 7 Cloves

• Rosemary

• Thyme

• 2 Lemons

• 1 Orange

• Cilantro

• 2 Sticks of Butter, Softened

• 1 Tbsp of Paprika

• 1 Tsp of Garlic Powder

• 1 Tsp of Onion Powder

• 1 Tsp of Pepper

• 1/2 Tsp of Chili Flakes

Instructions:

1. In a pot, simmer together the water, salt, and sugar until dissolved.

2. Add in the apples, onion, garlic, bay leaves, berries, cloves, Rosemary, thyme, lemons (juices first), orange (juices first), and cilantro until it comes to a simmer.

3. Turn the heat off and let it cool.

4. Once cooled, add in the chicken and brine for 12 hours in the fridge.

5. Then take out the chicken to bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Glazing with a mixture of the butter, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and chili flakes about every ten minutes.

6. Cook and serve with some sides and gravy!

*For some gravy, reserve the chicken juices. Add an onion (diced) and garlic clove (minced) to a pan to cook with a little oil. Add in the juices next. Once warmed, add in 2 Tbsp of flour until thick. And finish off with 2 cups of chicken stock and chopped parsley.*