Dai Dues Master Brined Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• Combine 5 ounces kosher salt (1 cup Diamond Crystal or 1/2 cup Morton), 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon black peppercorns in a large pot. Squeeze in juice from 1 halved lemon and add lemon to pot along with 2 quarts water. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar. Remove pot from heat and stir in 2 quarts ice water. Add one or two 2 1/2-pound chickens to brine, weight with a plate to keep submerged, if needed, and cover. Chill 12-24 hours.
• Remove chickens from brine; pat dry. Place in a large baking dish and chill, uncovered, 3-12 hours (longer is better) to dry skin (this results in a crispier bird).

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt, 1/4 cup vinegar-based hot sauce (such as Crystal), 4 finely chopped garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garam masala in a large resealable plastic bag. Add 1 Dai Due's Master Brined Chicken, backbone removed, and turn to coat. Seal bag, pressing out air; chill chicken 8-24 hours.
• Prepare grill for medium heat; lightly brush grate with vegetable oil. Remove chicken from marinade, wiping off any excess, and grill, skin side down, until skin is lightly charred and releases from grate without tearing, 10-15 minutes. Give bird a quarter turn and continue to grill until skin is nicely charred and crisp and thighs are starting to firm up (they should be springy when pressed), 15-20 minutes. Turn chicken over and grill until an instantread thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 10-15 minutes. Place chicken on a platter skin side up; let rest 10 minutes before carving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Cut 1 Dai Due's Master Brined Chicken into 8 pieces; season with salt and pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in an ovenproof skillet just large enough to hold chicken pieces in a single layer over high. Once butter is melted, cook chicken, skin side down, until skin is very well browned (do not disturb), 5-8 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate (do not cook flesh side).
• Reduce heat to medium and add 2 thinly sliced onions, 5 teaspoons sweet Hungarian paprika, and 1 teaspoon hot smoked Spanish paprika to skillet; season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until onions are softened and start sticking to the skillet, 8-10 minutes. Add 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Return chicken to skillet, skin side up, and transfer to oven. Bake until chicken is cooked through, 25-30 minutes. Transfer chicken to a platter; tent with foil to keep warm.
• Bring liquid in skillet to a boil and cook until reduced by one-third, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in 1 cup room temperature sour cream and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce around chicken; top with chopped fresh parsley.