Cooking Chicken With Beer - Beer Brined Chicken

Roasted beer brined chicken


In our house, we eat a lot of chicken so while I’ve been experimenting with cooking with beer, I’ve enjoyed cooking chicken with beer.  My favourite and the most versatile I’ve found, is beer brining.  You can use a plethora of beers to create different flavours and super moist chicken.


Why Should You Be Cooking Chicken With Beer?

Beer brining not only adds flavour, it also tenderises the meat. Alpha acids and tannins in the beer help to break down the fibres in the meat, making it more tender and juicy.  My current favourite beer to use for this is Theakston’s Old Peculiar.  This is an old ale and adds rich flavours to roasted chicken breast.  I also used it on chicken I put on the bbq recently and it was delicious!  I have tried craft lager with lime for excellent tacos – Utopian or Braybrook lagers would be great for this.  

 

Don’t just experiment with cooking chicken with beer!  I’ve also beer brined beef for stir fry.  I find that the beer adds a depth of flavour to home cooking that you usually only get with restaurant food, and it’s a great substitute for wine!


 Beer brine with Theakston’s Old Peculiar

Here’s my beer brine recipe for roasted chicken breast, I’m quite free with this recipe – I don’t really measure, so go with your culinary gut on this one!

 

Ingredients:

Chicken breast

Bottle of beer (I love Theakston’s Old Peculiar)

Water

1 tsp each of: 

Salt

Sugar

Garlic granules

Crushed garlic clove

 

Method:

1.  Place your chicken breast in an airtight box and partially cover with the beer.  Add the other brine ingredients and stir, then top up with water until chicken is covered.

2.  Keep in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight – the longer you leave it the tastier it becomes!

3.  Roast or cook on the bbq as usual and enjoy!

 

Beer brined chicken on the bbq


Alternatives:

You can experiment with cooking chicken with beer with a variety of styles.  Try pairing lager with lime juice, smoked paprika and chilli flakes.  Or try a dry stout or porter.  I’d avoid anything that is very hoppy though, as the bitterness will come through in the cooking.

 

Let me know if you try this recipe in the comments!

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Woman's Brew Podcast

Image
 📻 A Woman’s Brew Podcast Welcome to A Woman’s Brew — where women talk about beer. I’m Joanne, beer lover, educator, and your friendly host, along with Tori my fellow beer aficionado. On A Woman’s Brew , we bring passion for beer to your ears with honest chat, style deep-dives, and plenty of laughs. Whether you’re new to beer or a seasoned sipper, you’re always welcome here. ✨ What You’ll Hear Chats about beer styles, tasting tips, and how to make sense of what’s in your glass Real conversations about beer culture, trends, and brewing life Interviews with brewers, writers, beer lovers, and industry experts My personal takes on what I’m drinking and loving right now Since launching in 2020, we have found their tribe in the craft beer community, championing the Brave Noise initiative and other DEI topics while sharing experiences envied by hobbyists and connoisseurs alike. We’ve collaborated with breweries on commercial brews for the podcast, International Women...
Read more

About Me

Image
🍻 About Me Hello! I’m Joanne, the beer lover and curious mind behind Love Beer Learning . I created this space to share my passion for beer in a way that’s friendly, down-to-earth, and welcoming to everyone — whether you’re a total beginner, a curious home drinker, or a seasoned beer geek. Over the years, I’ve built up a deep knowledge of beer styles, brewing, and tasting — not just through study, but by exploring breweries, chatting with experts, and sampling plenty of pints (all in the name of research, of course!). These days, you’ll mostly find me podcasting about all things beer — from tasting tips and style guides to interviews with brewers, writers, and other beer enthusiasts. My podcast is a place for honest, fun conversations that make the beer world feel more approachable for everyone. Whether you want to understand what you’re drinking, find your new favourite style, or just enjoy a bit of beer chat, I’m here to help you learn, sip, and explore — one beer at a time. ...
Read more

Try All The Beers - Oregon Trail by Elusive Brew

Image
In this blog series I’m trying all the beers!  I choose a beer from one of those books recommending the beers you should try. Check out this introduction post to read the rules of the game.  Next up, we are going to visit Elusive in Finchamsted, Berkshire.  I found this beer in Modern British Beer and World’s Greatest Beers - let’s take a look at why this beer deserves both of those titles. Beer: Oregon Trail Brewery: Elusive Brewing Finchamsted, Berkshire.  Style: American IPA ABV: 5.8% Elusive Brewing Embarking on a beer-tasting journey is much like setting out on the Oregon Trail – full of anticipation, discovery, and the promise of new horizons. In the world of craft brewing, Elusive Brewing stands out as a trailblazer, offering a unique experience with their exceptional brews. Founded in 2016 by Andy Parker, Elusive Brewing quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and experimental approach to brewing. Located in Berkshire, England, the brewery set out to c...
Read more