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Maple-Ale Brined Chicken & Roasted Pears

Brining a whole chicken, or chicken parts, is a method that only improves the texture and flavor of the meat—and keeps it very moist during roasting.

Servings 6
Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • BRINE
  • 6 cups water
  • 3/4 cup real maple syrup
  • 2 bottles (12 ounces) amber beer or apple cider
  • 1/2 cup Kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh sage leaves
  • 1 tablespoon coarsely ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon crushed fennel seeds
  • CHICKEN
  • 1 (4 pounds) Just Bare Whole Chicken
  • 3 Bosc or red pears, cored, quartered lengthwise
  • 2 small red onions, cut into wedges
  • 1/3 cup real maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 404 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 21%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 1g 20%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 23g
Protein 32g
Calcium 5%Iron 11%
Vitamin C 9%Vitamin A 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

Instructions

  1. Mix brine ingredients in a jumbo resealable plastic bag or large soup kettle. Place whole chicken in bag; seal tightly. Place in refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight.

  2. Heat oven to 425°F. Remove chicken from brine; rinse off (discard brine). Place chicken on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Tie legs together with kitchen twine. Arrange pears and onions around chicken. Mix 1/3 cup maple syrup and broth; pour half of mixture over chicken, pears, and onions.

  3. Place chicken in oven; roast 55 to 60 minutes or until juices run clear and internal temperature in thigh reaches 165°F. Serve chicken cut up on a platter with pears and onions; drizzle remaining maple syrup/broth mixture on top. Season with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, if desired.

Variations

Just BARE® Chicken Drumsticks may be substituted for Just BARE® Whole Chicken.

Nutritional values may change if you choose to substitute another chicken product.  If substituting frozen chicken for this recipe, thaw before cooking.