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Grilled Buttermilk Chicken

Instead of soaking the chicken in a saltwater mixture to add flavor and juiciness, this grilled chicken recipe is brined in a mixture of buttermilk, shallots, and spices.

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken




Erin Kunkel
 1 quart buttermilk
 1/2 cup chopped shallots
 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
 2 tablespoons kosher salt
 2 tablespoons sugar
 1 tablespoon ground cumin
 1 teaspoon pepper
 6 chicken thighs (about 2 1/2 lb. total)
 6 chicken drumsticks (about 1 3/4 lb. total)
Step 1
1

In a large bowl, mix buttermilk, shallots, garlic, salt, sugar, cumin, and pepper.

Step 2
2

Rinse chicken thighs and drumsticks and pat dry. Trim off excess fat. Submerge chicken pieces in buttermilk brine. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours, or up to 1 day.

Step 3
3

Lift chicken from brine; discard brine. Wipe excess from chicken with paper towels.

Step 4
4

Lay chicken pieces on a barbecue grill over medium coals or medium heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 4 to 5 seconds); close lid on gas grill. Cook, turning frequently, until browned on both sides and no longer pink at the bone (cut to test), 20 to 30 minutes. Serve hot or cold.

Nutrition Facts

0 servings

Serving size

Amount per serving
Calories518
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17.5g23%

Saturated Fat 6.4g32%
Cholesterol 282mg94%
Sodium 396mg18%
Total Carbohydrate 16g6%

Dietary Fiber 0.5g2%
Protein 70.5g

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.