Pickle-Brined Chicken

Total Time Prep: 1 hr. + brining Cook: 30 min.
Yield 4 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Use up that leftover juice from the jar and make pickle-brined chicken. It's tender, juicy and lightly flavored with the sweet, salty and sour taste of pickles.

Ingredients

  • 4 (6 ounces each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1-1/2 cups dill pickle juice
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions

  1. Place chicken breasts on a cutting board; cover with plastic wrap. Pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin to 1/2-in. thickness. Place in a shallow dish with the pickle juice. Cover; refrigerate 4-6 hours. Discard excess pickle juice.
  2. In another shallow bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper, if using. Dredge chicken breasts in the flour mixture, evenly coating all sides, shaking off any excess.
  3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; cook 5-7 minutes per side or until crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°. Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 413 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 39g protein.

My pickle-loving five-year-old is a huge fan of this chicken dish, and so is the rest of my family. —Susan Bronson, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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