Pickle juice chicken is not only a great way of using your pickle juice, but it tastes delicious. Add some THM-friendly breading and stick it in the air fryer and you've got quite a scrumptious recipe!
I was trying to figure out what was for dinner that night and really wanted to make bacon-wrapped pickles. Yes, I did happen to be pregnant at the time! The problem was that I didn't have any bacon. Scrounging through the fridge, I found an almost empty jar of pickles and some thawed chicken breasts. I wonder what I could make with that. Then the idea of brining the chicken in pickle juice came to mind. Pickle juice chicken? Was that a thing?
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What Does Pickle Juice Do for Chicken?
Much to my surprise, the general internet seemed to know that pickle juice was great for chicken! Why had I never heard of this and why was pickle juice so great for chicken? I was on a mission to find out!
The thing about chicken breasts is that when cooked it is very easy to dry out. The simple reason why pickle juice is so good as brine is that soaking the chicken in salty substance locks in the moisture!
Ingredients
Chicken breast
Pickle juice
Mineral salt
Whey protein
Low-carb baking flour ➡️ here is my quick recipe
Baking powder
Garlic powder
Paprika
Dill weed
For the Mayonnaise
Mayo
Apple cider vinegar
Onion powder
Turmeric powder
Dijon mustard (optional)
Instructions
Cup up chicken into 1-inch pieces and place in a glass bowl.
To the bowl add 2 cups of pickle juice and ½ teaspoon mineral salt. Stir well.
Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This will allow the meat to be fully brined.
Mix in a separate bowl the whey protein, low-carb baking flour, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, and dill week.
Drain the chicken from the pickle juice. Place in a bowl and combine with the flour mixture. Make sure every piece of chicken is fully coated.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Place chicken in the air fryer. Set timer for 20 minutes. Flip chicken at least once (I like to flip 3 or 4 times). Check to make sure the internal temperature is at 160 degrees.
Serve with mayonnaise dip.
Note - To make the mayonnaise combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and combine well. It can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.
Equipment
- Bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Air Fryer
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About the Mayonaise Dip
This dip was questionable tom e when I started to make it, but within one dip of the chicken, I knew I was addicted. It is so tasty! If the Tumeric is too much for you, decrease the amount. However, I would recommend you start at a full ½ teaspoon because it makes the dip zing!
FAQ
How Long can you Brine Chicken in Pickle Juice?
You will need to brine the chicken in the pickle juice for at least 2 hours to get the benefits of soaking, but you can go as long as 24 hours. Marinating for at least 2 hours gives it the best flavor!
Can you freeze pickle chicken?
Yes! Pickle chicken can be frozen in a couple of different ways, but the one I like to have on hand is simply cutting up the chicken, brine, and then placing it in an air-tight zippy bag, and freezing for 1-3 months.
The other option is to bread the chicken as well and place it on parchment paper, freeze it, and then transfer it to a zippy bag for freezing. You will need to add time to the air fryer for it to cook thoroughly.
Other Delicious Chicken Recipes from Healing Home
Spaghetti Squash Chicken Alfredo
Air Fried Pickle Juice Chicken
Pickle juice chicken is not only a great way of using your pickle juice, but it tastes delicious. Add some THM-friendly breading and stick it in the air fryer and you've got quite a scrumptious recipe!
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups pickle juice
- ½ teaspoon mineral salt
- ½ cup whey protein
- ½ cup low carb baking flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dill weed
For the Mayonnaise
- ½ cup mayo
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Instructions
- Cup up chicken into 1-inch pieces and place in a glass bowl.
- To the bowl add 2 cups of pickle juice and ½ teaspoon mineral salt. Stir well.
- Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This will allow the meat to be fully brined.
- Mix in a separate bowl the whey protein, low carb baking flour, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, and dill week.
- Drain the chicken from the pickle juice. Place in a bowl and combine with the flour mixture. Make sure every piece of chicken is fully coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Place chicken in the air fryer. Set timer for 20 minutes. Flip chicken at least once (I like to flip 3 or 4 times). Check to make sure the internal temperature is at 160 degrees.
- Serve with mayonnaise dip.
To make the mayonnaise combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and combine well. Can be refrigerated in air tight container for up to one week.
Notes
In the pictures, I have placed the breading mixture directly on top of the chicken instead of mixing it first. This can be done to save the amount of kitchen clean-up you need to do. However, it means your chicken will not be evenly coated with equal ingredients. To get the flavor profile correct mix your breading mixture together first and then spread it over the chicken.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 201Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 1543mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 14g
Online calculators are estimates only. Use your best judgement when consuming.
