Grilled Sweet Tea Brined Chicken with Charred Lemon

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled chicken marinated in a sweet tea brine, enhanced with smoky charred lemon for a refreshing Southern-inspired flavor. This southern united states-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs skin on bone-in chicken thighs, black tea bags, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Southern United States cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, bring 4 cups water to a boil and steep 4 black tea bags for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 2 tbsp kosher salt until dissolved. Cool the brine to room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Submerge 6 bone-in chicken thighs with skin on into the cooled sweet tea brine, cover, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight for juicy, flavorful chicken.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Season chicken with 1 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Brush 2 tbsp olive oil over chicken pieces and grill for 6-7 minutes per side, until skin is crisp and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: While chicken cooks, place 1 halved lemon cut side down on the grill and char for 2-3 minutes until caramelized and fragrant.
  6. Step 6: Serve grilled chicken with squeezed charred lemon over the top for a bright, smoky finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Sweet Tea Brined Chicken with Charred Lemon take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Sweet Tea Brined Chicken with Charred Lemon?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep black tea bags from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Sweet Tea Brined Chicken with Charred Lemon?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Sweet Tea Brined Chicken with Charred Lemon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Sweet Tea Brined Chicken with Charred Lemon?

Southern United States chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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