Not sure what do to with the leftover jar of pickles? You need to try chicken marinated in pickle juice!
My sister introduced me to this idea last summer. I had heard about it before (it is what Chick-fil-a does for their chicken sandwiches) but have never tried it. I couldn’t believe how simple it was, yet how juicy and flavorful it made the chicken.
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If you don’t like pickles, don’t worry, it doesn’t have much of a pickle flavor. It is there, but not strong at all. It mostly is there to help the chicken get tender. This pickle juice chicken might be your new favorite way to make it!
Why we love this chicken marinated in pickle juice
- yields perfectly juicy chicken – the chicken gets a perfect char with crispy edges while remaining juicy and tender.
- just 4 simple ingredients
- versatile – use it from tacos, in a power bowl, on salads, sliced in sandwiches, or just as a quick protein option paired with some carbs, veggies, and fat for a complete meal.
- makes a ton – perfect to prep at the beginning of the week to have on hand.
Why marinate chicken in pickle juice?
Marinating your chicken in pickle juice is the same as creating a brine for it. The pickle juice helps keep moisture in so it’s super tender when cooked and doesn’t dry out. It also adds flavor to your meat.
Ingredients
- chicken thighs – I love thighs since they have more flavor
- pickle juice – any kind will work but I love dill pickle juice for some tang
- salt and pepper
How to make chicken marinated in pickle juice
- Marinate your chicken. Add chicken to a large baking dish, shallow bowl, or plastic bag. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour over your pickle juice, making sure to cover the chicken. Marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. The longer the better.
- Grill. Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Heat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450 degrees). Once hot, place chicken close to direct heat and grill for 6-8 minutes. Flip and move to indirect heat (not directly over fire/coals) and cook for another 5-10 minutes depending on how your chicken is, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
- Enjoy! Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
How long to marinate chicken in pickle juice?
Depending on the marinade, you can marinate chicken anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours in the refrigerator. The longer the marinating time, the more flavor the chicken will have. I don’t suggest marinating chicken in pickle juice longer than 24 hours as the marinade can break down the chicken and change the texture.
I suggest marinating for at least 2 hours, but around 6-8 hours if you can, for this recipe for the best flavor! You can even let it sit overnight.
How long to grill chicken?
Boneless skinless chicken thighs take about 10-20 minutes to grill at 400-450 degrees. Place chicken close to direct heat and grill for 6-8 minutes. Once grill marks have formed, flip and move to indirect heat (not directly over fire/coals) and cook for another 5-10 minutes depending on how thick your thighs are, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Placing a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken can help to tell when the chicken is done. The time can vary depending on the size of your chicken and how hot your grill is. Bone-in thighs can take longer to grill.
What to serve with pickle chicken
The reason I love this recipe so much is the chicken is so versatile and goes with so many sides. Here are some of my favorites:
- chipotle coleslaw
- air fryer french fries
- grilled corn on the cob
- honey mustard potato salad
- greek chickpea salad
And some easy ways to use it:
- in sandwiches, pitas, or wraps
- in tacos or burrito bowls
- on top of a salad with veggies and dressing
- in a power bowl
- as an easy protein with some carbs, veggies, and fat for a complete meal
Storage
- refrigerator – store leftover chicken in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- freezer – cook according to directions and let the chicken cool completely. Add to a bag (we love these silicon reusable ones) or a freezer dish – you can use a large container or freeze in individual servings. Defrost for a quick and easy protein option. Chicken should last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Substitutions and additions
- chicken thighs – chicken breasts or tenderloins will work the same. Adjust grilling time according to the size of your meat.
- pickle juice – I like dill pickles, but you can also use bread and butter or spicy pickles. Any kind or flavor will work!
And here are some additions to spice up the recipe:
- spices – if you like, you can add spices or herbs to the mix to add more flavor.
- sweetener – depending on your pickle juice, you can add a sweetener to your brine if you. Sugar or honey will work well.
More healthy chicken recipes
- honey chipotle chicken marinade
- grilled greek chicken kabobs
- peanut butter chicken
- favorite grilled chicken thigh marinade
- healthy chicken salad
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Chicken Marinated in Pickle Juice (Pickle Brine Chicken)
ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken thighs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups pickle juice (or enough to cover your chicken)
instructions
- Marinate your chicken. Add chicken to a large baking dish, shallow bowl, or plastic bag. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour over your pickle juice, making sure to cover the chicken. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. The longer the better.
- Grill. Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Heat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450 degrees). Once hot, place chicken close to direct heat and grill for 6-8 minutes. Flip and move to indirect heat (not directly over fire/coals) and cook for another 5-10 minutes depending on how your chicken is, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
- Enjoy! Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
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I’ve been saving pickle juice for ages and was happy to find this recipe to guide me to use. I marinated for 7 hours and was delish. The chicken was so tasty and super moist. Cooking time was perfect. I would marinate a little longer next time to ensure the ticker parts of chicken have time to absorb more flavour. My husband isn’t usually over enthusiastic with food praise when he legitimately likes something really gave this an enthusiastic praise. Looking forward to doing this again.
So glad you both enjoyed the recipe Amy! Thanks for trying it!
Love that chicken
So glad you love it so much!
I made this for my birthday dinner and everyone loved it. They had a nice subtle pickle flavor.
So glad to hear it! Thanks for trying it, Mike!
We just made this for dinner and it’s delcious. My eight year old said it was the best thing he’s ever eaten.
Aw yay, so happy to hear that! Glad everyone enjoyed and thanks for trying it, Samantha!
Need instructions on baking. I don’t have a grill.
To bake them, roast them in the oven on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-45 minutes until cooked through. Hope that helps, Lesli.