Question on Chicken and a brine

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oconeeal

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Dec 19, 2011
100
11
Georgia
OK wife pick up a chicken for me to smoke this weekend.  Not sure if I will be able to do tomorrow or Sat.  Would it hurt to put the chicken in the brine if I not going to smoke till Sat?
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I have brined more than one day, there is a small risk of the meat becoming slightly mushy but I have never noticed an difference...JJ
 
As JJ said... Chicken usually becomes mushy if brined to long...I would just put it in the brine friday night.. 12 hrs is more than enough time... or you can put it in tonight.. If your not gonna smoke it Friday just take it out of the brine and rinse real well (twice) and then put your rub in it (under the skin) and on it and rest in fridge until your ready to smoke it Saturday.
 
Last edited:
I agree!

Too much time in a brine or a marinade will degrade the chicken.

It would be safe, if handled properly, but the quality could degrade.

Good luck and good smoking.
 
I had one in brine for 48 hours one time. Not by choice, but had a family emergency & couldn't get back to it for 2 days. It was fine, I really didn't notice any adverse effects, however I did rinse it very well & pat it dry before adding a rub. Also I don't use as much salt in my brine as some guys do.
 
48 hours is too long for me, the bird will need an hour soak in clean water just to draw out some of the salt.

I spatchcook mine then brine.  When you spatchcook them you open them up so the brine can get all around the bird easier than leaving it whole.  Almost like brining pieces instead of a whole bird.  4 hours is enough brine time when done this way.  Just rinse lightly and pat dry after the brine.
 
I too have had an issue where it has gone a long time in brine but soaking seems to help and I don't use as much salt either. 
 
I have brined and I have marinated and loved the results. ... I actually prefer to marinate with Mojo. I have tried several Mojo marinates but without a doubt I absolutely LOVE the Goya Mojo. And the family (extended too) agrees with me... so I use the Goya Mojo.
 
I have brined and I have marinated and loved the results. ... I actually prefer to marinate with Mojo. I have tried several Mojo marinates but without a doubt I absolutely LOVE the Goya Mojo. And the family (extended too) agrees with me... so I use the Goya Mojo.
X2. I marinaded two split chickens with some Olive Oil and Lemon juice wth the Mojo for @5 hours last weekend. It was excellent!
 
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