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Sweet Tea Brined Grilled Chicken ~ Everyone's favorite white meat brined in sweet tea and grilled to succulent perfection during a causal weeknight night cookout.

Sweet Tea Brined Grilled Chicken

Course: Dinner/Grilling
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Brine, Chicken, Grilling, Sweet Tea
Author: Michelle De La Cerda

Everyone's favorite white meat brined in sweet tea and grilled to succulent perfection during a causal weeknight night cookout.

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Ingredients

Sweet Tea Brine

  • 8 cups water; divided
  • 8 Lipton tea bags
  • 1/4-1/2 cup kosher salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large lemons; sliced
  • 6 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1/2 tbsp whole peppercorns
  • 3 lbs Tyson chicken breasts; boneless/skinless

Grilling the Chicken

  • high heat oil like canola
  • Black pepper; optional

Instructions

Sweet Tea Brine

  1. Bring 4 cups of water to boil.

  2. Remove from heat, add the tea bags, salt and sugar; take care to completely dissolve the salt/sugar.

  3. Allow to steep for at least 10 minutes.

  4. Discard the tea bags and allow to cool for another 10 minutes.

  5. To a large bowl, bucket, or other suitable container, add the chicken, lemons, and rosemary; try to arrange the lemon and rosemary between the pieces of chicken. 

  6. Add the remaining 4 cups of COLD water to the sweet tea brine and stir.

  7. Pour the brine over/into the chicken, lemon, and herbs. 

  8. Cover and refrigerate. 

  9. Allow the chicken to brine for at least 8 hours to overnight. 

Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

  1. Drain the chicken from the brine, patting each dry and discarding any sticking peppercorns and rosemary leaves. 

  2. Clean the grill grates by heating it on high to burn off residue, scrape clean.

  3. Reduce heat to medium-high; 375 to 450°F

  4. Oil the grates generously or the chicken will stick.

  5. Once the grill stops smoking, place the chicken evenly spaced on the grill.

  6. Don't move the chicken, allow to cook for 3-4 minutes with the lid closed. 

  7. Flip the chicken, cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the chicken reaches 150°F.

  8. Remove from grill and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes. 

  9. Serve and enjoy.