The other day I went to the store and left with two small bags of groceries. There was no meat and no dog bones (the two things that really add the dollars to my bill.) The sum of the two bags was $92.97! What the heck? Buying groceries is really getting expensive. That got me to thinking about my upcoming Memorial Day Picnic. It is really going to be expensive and I need to seriously plan ahead.
Chicken Legs are a great value and definitely are delicious when grilled. When you are hosting a picnic you don't want to be stuck at the grill the entire time. That is where The Best Brine Grilled Chicken Legs comes to the rescue. These things are easy, good, and can be made ahead of time.
Best Brine Grilled Chicken Legs
Chicken Legs, skinned removed
1/2 of raw sugar
1/4 cup kosher salt
4 tablespoons liquid smoke
barbecue seasoning of your choice
cooking spray
water
(1) To remove skin from chicken legs use paper towels and hold by leg and pull skin (do not throw away if you have a puppy.) (2) Dissolve sugar and salt in water. Add liquid smoke and chicken legs. (3) Brine chicken legs 4 to 5 hours. (4) Remove chicken legs, rinse and pat dry. Spray with cooking spray and lightly sprinkled with seasoning. (5) Grill on charcoal grill over medium heat for approximately 30 minutes. Turn frequently. (6) Remove to aluminum pans and place in a 250 degree oven for another 30 to 45 minutes. (7) Serve to your picnic guests!
The meat is tender, smoked, and seasoned perfectly. For all you Weight Watchers, these chicken legs are 1 point a piece! I guarantee your guest will rave about these chicken legs. I have never heard a negative comment about them. You can serve them with a side of your favorite barbecue sauce.
Here is why I said to keep the skin!
I take the skin and throw it in a hot pan with a little olive oil and fry it up like bacon. Of course, this is a treat beyond all expectations for Kramer. I guess I will have to put a disclaimer to ask your Vet first? I did this and all he did was stare at me. I am taking his silence as a vote of confidence in giving my puppy fried chicken skin!
It is getting ready to turn really bad weather wise here. If you live in this area you expect nothing different for the Reds (baseball) opening day! If it is not snowing or sleeting rain, you definitely would wonder "what the heck?" I figure warm weather and great picnics are just around the corner. I just can't wait!!
I love bbq'd chicken legs, I'll have to try your recipe this summer. And your dog is adorable!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the weather - we finally have sun after all the snow last week. I so want spring to start!
I am really into brining these days, in fact, I have some chicken in an apple cider brine right now! This recipe looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteOMG...opening day already? These legs look divine...I could gobble a couple up right about now.
ReplyDeleteI thought about you when I read your 'dipping' post a few days back...truffles is like OMG'd...if you like mushrooms; then you will love truffle oil. Personally I would stick to white truffle oil, I was not impressed with the black...this post makes me so want something with grill marks on it! Love me some BBQ chicken...we fish in my house, not to big on sports, but so many friends who do!
ReplyDeleteI tell you what those chicken drums just look perfect, even the dog is looking up. delicious. cheers 4 sharing. :) xx
ReplyDeleteAh! Your chicken looks very tasty, too. Awwwww, your canine friend is adorable. How I wish I had a dog again. Thanks for stopping by my blog. It's fun to meet other foodies who enjoy blogging and photographing what we eat. Great job! I'll be popping in. Great recipes, here.
ReplyDeleteDebby
YUM! The chicken looks fabulous. I think brining is such a cool technique, and what a perfect one to use on chicken legs. I love the flavor of smokey, yet tender meat. How fabulous! Your blog is just great; I can't wait to keep reading more!
ReplyDeleteThese look fantastic, we have alot of BBQ's in the summer and I think these will go down a treat, thankyou!
ReplyDeletehahahaha! KRAMER!!!! you are SPOILED!!! ;) ROxie is allergic to chicken, but she gets a lot of other treats :)
ReplyDeleteLove chicken leggs! :)
ReplyDeleteKramer looks so cute!
If I was at a picnic, those chicken legs would be the first thing I go for! Thanks for sharing the recipe and...cute dog! I always give leftover chicken skin/fatty parts to my pups. They love it and I think as long as it is in moderation, it's all good.
ReplyDeleteThat chicken looks tasty. Hope it gets warm enough to have a picnic soon. Love the puppy.
ReplyDeletehaha! what a creative way to save the chicken skin! never waste food, I say! this is a good reason to keep a dog (admidst many others)
ReplyDeleteI would not have thought of brining chicken legs. The only thing I've brined is a pork tenderloin. I love chicken legs and you're right about them being budget friendly.
ReplyDeleteThese looks great! I bet the taste was incredible.
great idea - who said you had to brine the whole bird - parts work just as good...
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea...it looks so good! Just in time for the hot weather...
ReplyDeleteYum - they look great and I love recipes that can be prepped the day before! We just got some liquid smoke and I was surprised that I really like it.
ReplyDeleteOmgosh that looks so good. Wow.
ReplyDeleteKramer would have to fight me for that chicken skin--except if crisp mine in the microwave.
ReplyDeletethis is a great looking recipe! i couldn't find your copyright info, so i wanted to let you know that i used your photo in an entry i wrote about grilling and brining chicken (giving you credit and a link back to your entry, of course!) here it is if you'd like to check it out!
ReplyDeletehttp://reluctantwwfoodie.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/grill-brine-and-sunshine/
Chicken skin tastes great to more than dogs! I fry and eat it myself! Total yum. Should be great marinated then fried in a pan. :)
ReplyDelete