Pickle-Brine Chicken

Submitted by Chef #1352632

"This was in the Jan 2014 issue of "Better Homes & Gardens," page 73. I wanted to keep the recipe but not the magazine, so I'm posting it here."

 

• Ready In: 8hrs 15mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 64 ounces dill pickles, drained
• 6 chicken thighs or 2 1/2-2 3/4 lbs chicken thighs, bone-in
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1⁄4 cup dry white wine or 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 3⁄4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 2 dill pickles, coarsely chopped
• 1⁄4 cup sweet red pepper, chopped

directions

1. Drain pickles, reserving brine (about 4 cups). Place pickles in an air-tight container. Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Add the chicken to the brine in a container, jar or baggie; seal. Chill 8-24 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 475* F. Remove chicken from brine; pat dry with paper towels. Discard brine. In a small bowl combine flour and pepper. Coat chicken with flour mixture; shake off any excess.
3. In a large, heavy ovenproof skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken, skin side down; sear until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Turn chicken; transfer skillet to oven. Bake 15 minutes or until juices run clear (180*F). Remove from oven. Transfer chicken to platter; let rest 5 minutes.
4. Return skillet to stove. Remove fat from skillet, reserving 1 Tbsp in the pan. Return skillet to heat. Add wine; bring to boiling over medium-high heat. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan until wine nearly evaporates, about 2 minutes. Add broth; bring to boiling until reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 2 minutes. Stir in butter. Season to taste with pepper. Remove from heat; stir in dill. Pour sauce over chicken. Top with chopped pickles and red sweet peppers before serving.