Not sure what do to with the leftover jar of pickles? You need to try chicken marinated in pickle juice!
My sister introduced me to this idea last summer. I had heard about it before (it is what Chick-fil-a does for their chicken sandwiches) but have never tried it. I couldn’t believe how simple it was, yet how juicy and flavorful it made the chicken.
If you don’t like pickles, don’t worry, it doesn’t have much of a pickle flavor. It is there, but not strong at all. It mostly is there to help the chicken get tender. This pickle juice chicken might be your new favorite way to make it!
Why we love this chicken marinated in pickle juice
- yields perfectly juicy chicken – the chicken gets a perfect char with crispy edges while remaining juicy and tender.
- just 4 simple ingredients
- versatile – use it from tacos, in a power bowl, on salads, sliced in sandwiches, or just as a quick protein option paired with some carbs, veggies, and fat for a complete meal.
- makes a ton – perfect to prep at the beginning of the week to have on hand.
Why marinate chicken in pickle juice?
Marinating your chicken in pickle juice is the same as creating a brine for it. The pickle juice helps keep moisture in so it’s super tender when cooked and doesn’t dry out. It also adds flavor to your meat.
Ingredients
- chicken thighs – I love thighs since they have more flavor
- pickle juice – any kind will work but I love dill pickle juice for some tang
- salt and pepper
How to make chicken marinated in pickle juice
- Marinate your chicken. Add chicken to a large baking dish, shallow bowl, or plastic bag. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour over your pickle juice, making sure to cover the chicken. Marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. The longer the better.
- Grill. Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Heat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450 degrees). Once hot, place chicken close to direct heat and grill for 6-8 minutes. Flip and move to indirect heat (not directly over fire/coals) and cook for another 5-10 minutes depending on how your chicken is, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
- Enjoy! Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
How long to marinate chicken in pickle juice?
Depending on the marinade, you can marinate chicken anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours in the refrigerator. The longer the marinating time, the more flavor the chicken will have. I don’t suggest marinating chicken in pickle juice longer than 24 hours as the marinade can break down the chicken and change the texture.
I suggest marinating for at least 2 hours, but around 6-8 hours if you can, for this recipe for the best flavor! You can even let it sit overnight.
How long to grill chicken?
Boneless skinless chicken thighs take about 10-20 minutes to grill at 400-450 degrees. Place chicken close to direct heat and grill for 6-8 minutes. Once grill marks have formed, flip and move to indirect heat (not directly over fire/coals) and cook for another 5-10 minutes depending on how thick your thighs are, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Placing a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken can help to tell when the chicken is done. The time can vary depending on the size of your chicken and how hot your grill is. Bone-in thighs can take longer to grill.
What to serve with pickle chicken
The reason I love this recipe so much is the chicken is so versatile and goes with so many sides. Here are some of my favorites:
- chipotle coleslaw
- air fryer french fries
- grilled corn on the cob
- honey mustard potato salad
- greek chickpea salad
And some easy ways to use it:
- in sandwiches, pitas, or wraps
- in tacos or burrito bowls
- on top of a salad with veggies and dressing
- in a power bowl
- as an easy protein with some carbs, veggies, and fat for a complete meal
Storage
- refrigerator – store leftover chicken in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- freezer – cook according to directions and let the chicken cool completely. Add to a bag (we love these silicon reusable ones) or a freezer dish – you can use a large container or freeze in individual servings. Defrost for a quick and easy protein option. Chicken should last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Substitutions and additions
- chicken thighs – chicken breasts or tenderloins will work the same. Adjust grilling time according to the size of your meat.
- pickle juice – I like dill pickles, but you can also use bread and butter or spicy pickles. Any kind or flavor will work!
And here are some additions to spice up the recipe:
- spices – if you like, you can add spices or herbs to the mix to add more flavor.
- sweetener – depending on your pickle juice, you can add a sweetener to your brine if you. Sugar or honey will work well.
More healthy chicken recipes
- honey chipotle chicken marinade
- grilled greek chicken kabobs
- peanut butter chicken
- favorite grilled chicken thigh marinade
- healthy chicken salad
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Chicken Marinated in Pickle Juice (Pickle Brine Chicken)
ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken thighs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups pickle juice (or enough to cover your chicken)
instructions
- Marinate your chicken. Add chicken to a large baking dish, shallow bowl, or plastic bag. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour over your pickle juice, making sure to cover the chicken. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. The longer the better.
- Grill. Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Heat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450 degrees). Once hot, place chicken close to direct heat and grill for 6-8 minutes. Flip and move to indirect heat (not directly over fire/coals) and cook for another 5-10 minutes depending on how your chicken is, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
- Enjoy! Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
Mary says
If you used a broiler rather than a grill would you need to adjust anything?
Kelly says
Hey, Mary! I have never used one so I am not sure, but I wouldn’t think. I would just keep an eye on the chicken.
Elizabeth Jarrett says
This recipe will be on repeat in my house! I love it’s so simple and the best tasting chicken. All the ingredients are always on hand and the kids devoured it!
Kelly says
Yay, love to hear it! Thanks, Elizabeth!!
Dan says
Love Chicken can’t wait to try it
Kelly says
Hope you enjoy it!
Kristen says
This was delicious! Just the right amount of pickle flavor! I marinated a few lbs to use throughout the week, can’t wait to eat the leftovers!
Kelly says
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks, Kristen!
Caitlin Christopherson says
Such a great idea, I think I was expecting more pickle but there was subtle hints of it throughout the chicken.
I think a pulled chicken breast with the same marinade would be awesome to throw on tacos or salads
Kelly says
Oh, that sounds so good! And yes, it’s not a ton of pickle flavor but helps keep the meat moist. Thanks for trying it!
Alex Zawadzki says
I simply marinated the chicken for a few hours and then threw it on the grill. It kept the chicken breast juicy and tender for my cold salads all week. Will absolutely be using this method again!
Kelly says
Yay! Glad you enjoyed the recipe so much! Thanks for trying it, Alex.
Shannon says
Easiest marinade you’ll ever use & it gives the chicken delicious flavor! I had chicken breast on hand, so I used those. The pickle juice brines the meat so it stays incredibly juicy even after grilling. It was great for meal prep, utilized it in several other dishes. My family loved it too. I will be making this all summer!
Kelly says
So happy to hear this and glad you enjoyed it! It really is such an easy way to marinate the meat. Thanks, Shannon!
Sue says
I had never heard of doing this before – and I love dill pickles so I gave it a try. Loved it. I marinated both chicken breast and chicken tenderloins and they came out delicious with just the right amount of flavor. I would be willing to try this with salmon or pork chops maybe as well? Thanks!
Alex says
I only marinated the chicken breasts for a few hours but after grilling them and using them for cold salads for the week I was amazed at the flavor and how juicy they stayed! Super delicious and will definitely be using again
Kelly says
Yes, even a few hours helps so much! Glad they turned out so well for you and thanks for trying it!
Kelly says
So glad you enjoyed it so much! It really makes them so good! I haven’t tried it in anything other than chicken but let me know if you do – sounds delicious!