Brine Roasted Chicken

Brine Roasted Chicken

Who needs a reason to make roast chicken. For me I don't need any occasion to make since its a family favourite. I like to brine the chicken before roasting it as chicken stays very moist and succulent. Brine is just the solution of salt and water or any other flavoring you like. I usually add some lime or lemon and bay leaves to it. This addition adds a invisible lemony note without overpowering.
Recipe goes as follows:

Ingredients:

Chicken         4-5 lbs
Garlic             1 head sliced in half

Brine

Water            2 litres or enough to cover the chicken
sugar             1/2 cup
salt                1/4 cup
bay leaf          2
lemon juice     3 tbsp keep the rind

Add water in a big enough bowl to hold the chicken. 

Stir in the sugar and salt until dissolved.

Add bay leaves and lemon juice.

Add chicken and make sure it is submerged all the way in brine.

After a couple of hours or overnight, take the chicken out and pat dry with a help of towel.

Next step is to spice the chicken. Here is the mix I used in this recipe:

Spice mix

Salt                                1 Teaspoon

Turmeric                        1/4 teaspoon

Red chili powder            1/2 teaspoon or to taste

Cumin Powder                1 teaspoon

Coriander powder           1/2 teaspoon

Mix all above ingredients and rub all over the chicken including the stomach cavity.

Put the lemon rind and a head of garlic sliced in the stomach cavity.

Preheat the oven at 375 for 15 minutes. 

Tuck the wings under the body to prevent early browning and put the chicken on a rack in a baking dish. 

Put in the oven and bake for 40 minutes.

Reduce the temperature to 350 and bake for another 30-40 minutes until nice golden brown color is achieved and skin is crisp.  

If you see the chicken browning quicker than its cook through, put a foil over the chicken not covering completely leaving a steam vent.

Serve hot with either garlic bread, potato wedges, mashed potatoes and a nice fresh green salad.

Complete list of ingredients as follows:

Ingredients:

Chicken                   4-5 lbs
Garlic                      1 head sliced in half

Brine

Water                     2 litres or enough to cover the chicken
sugar                       1/2 cup
salt                          1/4 cup
bay leaf                   2
lemon juice              3 tbsp keep the rind

Spice mix

Salt                         1 teaspoon
Turmeric                 1/4 teaspoon
Red chili powder     1/2 teaspoon or to taste
Cumin Powder        1 teaspoon
Coriander powder   1/2 teaspoon