Brined Grilled Chicken Breasts with Red Chile Oil

This brine not only keeps the chicken moist, but the sugar in it helps the chicken brown nicely on the grill.


Brined Grilled Chicken Breasts with Red Chile Oil


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Ingredients
 
savings in
 
For the chicken:
  • 2  tablespoons  granulated sugarOn Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  kosher saltOn Sale
  • 6    boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (preferably organic), tenders reserved for another useOn Sale
For the chile oil:
  • 1  tablespoon  cumin seedsOn Sale
  • 1  tablespoon  coriander seedsOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  caraway seedsOn Sale
  • 3-4    dried New Mexico or Anaheim chilesOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  cayenneOn Sale
  • 2  medium  cloves garlic, minced and mashed to a paste with a pinch of saltOn Sale
  •     Kosher saltOn Sale
  • 1  cup  extra-virgin olive oilOn Sale
  • 1/2  teaspoon  red wine vinegar, or to tasteOn Sale

Directions
1.
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups boiling water with the sugar and salt and stir to dissolve. Let cool completely. Add the chicken breasts, cover, and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.
2.
In a medium skillet, lightly toast the cumin, coriander, and caraway seeds over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Grind the seeds to a powder in an electric spice grinder and transfer to a medium bowl. In the same skillet, toast the chiles over medium heat, pressing on them with a spatula, until fragrant and darker in spots, about 1 minute per side. Remove the stems and seeds and grind in the spice grinder--you'll need 3 tablespoons ground chile. Add the ground chile, cayenne, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt to the ground spices, and then stir in the oil and vinegar. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or vinegar if necessary. Stir before using.
3.
Prepare a medium gas or charcoal grill fire. While the grill heats, remove the chicken from the brine, pat dry with paper towels, and let sit at room temperature.
4.
Toss the chicken with 2 tablespoons of the chile oil. Grill the chicken without moving until golden brown grill marks form, 4 to 6 minutes. Flip the chicken and grill until just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for a few minutes. Holding your knife at an angle, cut the breasts crosswise into 1/2 -inch-thick slices and let cool to room temperature. Serve with the remaining chile oil on the side.

Make Ahead:
The chile oil can be made up to several hours in advance, or up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. The chicken can be grilled up to 6 hours in advance. Refrigerate and return to room temperature for serving.

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