Buttermilk-Brined Chicken Breast with Basil-Mint Sauce
This healthy buttermilk chicken breast recipe has all the flavor of buttermilk fried chicken without the frying. The herb sauce recipe brings together mint, basil and ground coriander--perfect for serving with the chicken, or make extra and toss with pasta.
Ingredients
Directions
-
To prepare buttermilk brine: Combine buttermilk, sugar, shallots, 8 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons salt, oregano, thyme, rosemary, Worcestershire sauce and 1 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve.
Advertisement -
To marinate chicken: Place chicken in a sealable gallon-size plastic bag. Pour in the brine mixture, seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours.
-
To prepare sauce: Combine basil, mint, 1 clove garlic, vinegar, oil, coriander, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Let stand at least 1 hour before serving (or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days).
-
To prepare chicken: Preheat a gas grill to medium or build a fire in a charcoal grill and let it burn down to medium heat (about 400 degrees F).
-
Remove the chicken from the brine (discard the brine) and pat dry with paper towels. Rub 1 tablespoon oil all over the chicken and let stand at room temperature for at least 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
-
Oil the grill rack (see Tips). Grill the chicken, with the lid closed, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the chicken registers 165 degrees F, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Serve the chicken with the herb sauce.
Tips
Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate the herb sauce for up to 3 days. Serve cold or at room temperature. Brine the chicken (Step 2) for up to 12 hours.
Buttermilk is a thick, tangy cow's-milk dairy product great for baking, salad dressings and marinades. Low-fat and nonfat versions can be used interchangeably in most recipes. Look for it in quart containers in the dairy section of the supermarket. In a pinch, you can make a substitute, mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar into 1 cup low-fat or nonfat milk.
Once the grill is heated, oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the hot rack right before placing the chicken on the grill.
Nutrition Facts
1 1/2 fat, 3 lean meat