Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are popular for quick dinners, and for good reason! They can be transformed into numerous dishes swiftly, but they have a slight drawback. Lacking in flavor and being very lean, they can dry out if overcooked.
Don’t worry! There’s a reliable way to make your ordinary chicken breasts juicy and tender. The secret lies in a simple recipe for grilled boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
Why A Brine Makes For Juicy Chicken
The trick is to quickly brine your chicken breasts! Doing so allows salt to penetrate the meat, enhancing flavor and helping the chicken retain moisture during cooking, resulting in juicier meat.
Be warned, though—over-brining can lead to an undesirable texture. Ensure the chicken breasts sit in the brine for no more than 30 minutes, giving you time to prepare other meal components.
How To Make A Brine For Chicken Breasts
A basic brine consists of water and salt, though you may choose to add spices or flavors, such as lemon slices. However, the core ingredients remain water and salt.
Stick to precise measurements—33 grams of salt for 4 cups of cold water. Depending on the salt used, amounts vary: 1/4 cup for Diamond kosher salt, 2 tablespoons for Morton kosher salt, or 1 1/2 tablespoons of fine sea salt.
Stir the salt into the water until fully dissolved. Double the recipe if needed to cover your chicken completely.
How To Cook Brined Chicken Breasts
After brining, dry the chicken, lightly oil it, and grill it. You can find detailed instructions in our grilled boneless skinless chicken breasts recipe.
By using this technique, you won’t have to worry about dry or bland chicken breasts ever again!
What Readers Have to Say About This Technique
“Such a simple ‘no-brainer’ made my grilled chicken a huge success.” – Jon
“It was my first time brining the chicken. It came out so juicy and delicious that my fiancé said she’ll definitely marry me now! Thank you! It was totally worth it!” – Ryan
“I always wondered what I was doing wrong with chicken breasts…not brining! This recipe is perfect. We grill many at a time because it’s SO good! Especially a great base to add any seasonings you choose…teriyaki, spicy, lemon pepper, etc. Endless! Thank you!” – Alexandra
“Pickle juice is a great alternative to use as a brine option as well. Use it all the time and makes for deliriously moist chicken.” – Chris P.
