Cider-Brined Grill-Roasted Chicken With Grilled Apples and Sage
- 1 (12 fluid ounce) bottle hard apple cider
- 12 cup table salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon peppercorn
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 12 cups ice water
- 1 whole chicken, about 4 lb
- 1 cup wood chips (apple-wood or hickory)
- canola oil, for grilling plus 2 tsp
- 2 golden delicious apples (we used local Romes instead)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
- kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Brine the bird: In a small nonreactive saucepan over medium heat, combine the cider, table salt, the 2 Tbs.
- chopped sage, the rosemary, peppercorns and bay leaf and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the salt.
- Pour the brine mixture into a large, deep nonreactive bowl and let cool slightly.
- Stir in the ice water.
- Add the chicken, submerging it completely.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 to 6 hours.
- Soak the wood chips in cold water to cover for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Drain the wood chips before using.
- Prepare a grill for indirect grilling over high heat.
- Sprinkle the drained wood chips over the coals or use a wood-chip smoker box on the gas grill.
- Replace the grill grate and lightly oil it.
- Remove the chicken from the brine and discard the brine.
- Place the chicken, breast side up, on the cool side of the grill.
- Cover the grill and cook the chicken until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone, registers 160F, about 1 1/4 hours.
- Transfer the chicken to a warmed platter, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 10 minutes before carving it.
- Grill the apples while the bird rests.
- Peel and core the apples and quarter each apple lengthwise.
- Toss the apples with the 2 teaspoons oil to coat.
- Place the apples on the hot side of the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until seared with grill marks on all sides and tender-crisp, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Transfer to a warmed serving bowl.
- Add the 2 teaspoons chopped sage and the butter to the apples and toss to coat.
- Season with kosher salt and pepper.
- Arrange the apples on the platter around the chicken.
- Carve the chicken and serve immediately.
- Serves 4.
apple cider, salt, fresh sage, fresh sage, fresh rosemary, peppercorn, bay leaf, water, chicken, wood chips, canola oil, golden delicious apples, unsalted butter, kosher salt
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/cider-brined-grill-roasted-chicken-with-grilled-apples-and-sage-507714 (may not work)