RECIPE: Mwalim's Honey - Maple-Brined Chicken

Here is a (very slight) healthier version of a popular southern recipe.


Ingredients:

3 Cups of Ice Cold Water
1/4 cup of kosher salt
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup of pure maple syrup
2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken
1/4 cup of Buttermilk
1 cup of corn meal
1 teaspoon of black pepper
Teaspoon of garlic powder
Teaspoon of onion powder
Cayenne pepper to taste
Olive or Canola oil for frying

Directions:
  1. Mix cold water, kosher salt, syrup and honey in a large bowl; stir until salt dissolves. Add chicken breasts, and weigh them down with a plate to keep them completely submerged. Cover entire bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12 hours.
  2. Remove bowl from refrigerator; drain and dry chicken. Pour buttermilk over chicken in a large bowl. Set aside at room temperature for 45 minutes.
  3. Combine corn meal, black pepper, garlic, onion, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl.
  4. Coat each chicken piece in meal mixture until well covered on all sides; place coated chicken pieces on a cooling rack to dry for 15 minutes.
  5. Heat oil in a large skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cook chicken breasts until browned and no longer pink in the center, about 10 to 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
  6. Transfer chicken to a cooling rack; allow to cool for 5 minutes.