Smart Chicken Test

Plowboy · 11-11-2006, 12:02 AM

I'm working on a Smart Chicken article for GetYourGrillOn.net. For the article I want to see if Smart Chicken will absorb more brine than regular chicken. Brined two Smart Chicken thighs in a quart of brine tonight for 6 hours. Brining two regular thighs tomorrow. Using equal parts salt and sugar. Not 100% scientific because its in my kitchen and I'm not measuring to the ML, but I'm trying to keep it consistent in my tests.

I was surprised that the two smart chicken thighs took on about 1.5 tablespoons worth of my salt/sugar brine in total. That's a lot of moisture and seasoning. Because Smart Chicken is air chilled instead of a bath, my assumption is that the Smart Chicken will absorb more of the brine. Two thighs may not be enough mass to show a measurable difference. Maybe 20 thighs would show more. We'll see tomorrow.

I do know, at least, that we'll be eating chicken and ABT's tomorrow!

Norcoredneck · 11-11-2006, 01:19 AM

You would think the "SMART" chicken would know salt is bad for you. But then again seems like everything that is good is bad for you.

River City Smokehouse · 11-11-2006, 07:08 AM

I've been cooking "Smart Chicken" in comps for three years now and do very well with it. I do know a lot of people who don't like it though. Each to their own.
Jim

scottyd · 11-11-2006, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plowboy

I'm working on a Smart Chicken article for GetYourGrillOn.net. For the article I want to see if Smart Chicken will absorb more brine than regular chicken. Brined two Smart Chicken thighs in a quart of brine tonight for 6 hours. Brining two regular thighs tomorrow. Using equal parts salt and sugar. Not 100% scientific because its in my kitchen and I'm not measuring to the ML, but I'm trying to keep it consistent in my tests.

I was surprised that the two smart chicken thighs took on about 1.5 tablespoons worth of my salt/sugar brine in total. That's a lot of moisture and seasoning. Because Smart Chicken is air chilled instead of a bath, my assumption is that the Smart Chicken will absorb more of the brine. Two thighs may not be enough mass to show a measurable difference. Maybe 20 thighs would show more. We'll see tomorrow.

I do know, at least, that we'll be eating chicken and ABT's tomorrow!

It will be interesting to see the difference between he 2 type of chicken used on the total pick-up of brine. Are you weighing your chicken first and then brining and then weighing them back after brining. How are you measuring the brine pick up? just wondering?

Plowboy · 11-11-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottd

It will be interesting to see the difference between he 2 type of chicken used on the total pick-up of brine. Are you weighing your chicken first and then brining and then weighing them back after brining. How are you measuring the brine pick up? just wondering?

I wanted to weigh as part of the test but my digital scale is in the BBQ trailer which isn't here at the house. Instead, I'm measuring the before and after water volume. Figure the before and after difference has to be in the chicken.

bbqjoe · 11-11-2006, 09:19 AM

What is a smart chicken????

Plowboy · 11-11-2006, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbqjoe

What is a smart chicken????

It is air chilled and hung individually instead of chilled in a chemical bath with all the other chickens. No cross contamination. No chemicals. Less water added. Theory is then that it will take on more brine & marinade.

Plowboy · 11-11-2006, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plowboy

It is air chilled and hung individually instead of a chilled in a chemical bath with all the other chickens. No cross contamination. No chemicals. Less water added. Theory is then that it will take on more brine & marinade.

Smart Chicken is a national brand from Eastern Nebraska. I think there are other brands that have the same process. Definately a specialty product compared to a Tyson chicken. There's Organic Smart Chicken, too. Most of the time Organic lacks flavor, IMHO.

bbqjoe · 11-11-2006, 09:26 AM

Never heard of it. But the idea sounds good.
I once watched a 60 minutes on chicken processing. It took quite some time before I could bring myself to eat chicken again.

Plowboy · 11-11-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbqjoe

Never heard of it. But the idea sounds good.
I once watched a 60 minutes on chicken processing. It took quite some time before I could bring myself to eat chicken again.

Smart Chicken is in 40 states, so may not be available in the Zona.

Kung Fu BBQ · 11-11-2006, 09:31 AM

all we eat here are smart chickens. My wife is a stickler for food handling and processing. It's always a bit more expensive but i think the flavors always exceed other brands.

Plowboy · 11-11-2006, 01:21 PM

Its a good product. We've used it for comp, but have had better success with fresh whole birds from Alewel's Country Meats in Warrensburg, MO. They are a sponsor, so we get 3 birds every comp. They are young, tender birds and the skin is nice and thin. Turns out great.

Markbb · 11-11-2006, 01:31 PM

Learn somthing new every day!!!!!!!!!!!

scottyd · 11-11-2006, 03:24 PM

I seem to alway get the dumb one's, go figure.

just kidding

thirdeye · 11-11-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbqjoe

Never heard of it. But the idea sounds good.
I once watched a 60 minutes on chicken processing. It took quite some time before I could bring myself to eat chicken again.

Here is the link to the store search

http://www.smartchicken.com/gny.html

11-11-2006, 12:02 AM	#1
Plowboy somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-09-06 Location: Blue Springs, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Smart Chicken Test I'm working on a Smart Chicken article for GetYourGrillOn.net. For the article I want to see if Smart Chicken will absorb more brine than regular chicken. Brined two Smart Chicken thighs in a quart of brine tonight for 6 hours. Brining two regular thighs tomorrow. Using equal parts salt and sugar. Not 100% scientific because its in my kitchen and I'm not measuring to the ML, but I'm trying to keep it consistent in my tests. I was surprised that the two smart chicken thighs took on about 1.5 tablespoons worth of my salt/sugar brine in total. That's a lot of moisture and seasoning. Because Smart Chicken is air chilled instead of a bath, my assumption is that the Smart Chicken will absorb more of the brine. Two thighs may not be enough mass to show a measurable difference. Maybe 20 thighs would show more. We'll see tomorrow. I do know, at least, that we'll be eating chicken and ABT's tomorrow! __________________ Pork Pullin Plowboys (and Smoke on Wheels) Save a hog, ride a plowboy! www.plowboysbbq.com Todd Johns (me); Blue Springs, MO Randy Hinck (PigBoy); Concordia, MO Andy Groneman (Hodedo); KC, KS (Cameo Appearances) FEC-500SS; FEC-100 (Right handed); FEC-100 (Left handed); Country Smoker Tailgater; Big Green Egg (2-large, small, mini); Cookshack Pellet Fired Charbroiler

11-11-2006, 01:19 AM	#2
Norcoredneck somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-11-06 Location: Norco, Ca. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You would think the "SMART" chicken would know salt is bad for you. But then again seems like everything that is good is bad for you. __________________ *Low and Slow.....* *The Prontologist is in...* *Ok let's see your Butt!*

11-11-2006, 07:08 AM	#3
River City Smokehouse is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-25-05 Location: Jefferson City, Missouri Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've been cooking "Smart Chicken" in comps for three years now and do very well with it. I do know a lot of people who don't like it though. Each to their own. Jim __________________ "Please let me be the person my dog thinks I am." ~Author Unknown 8 x 18 Haulmark Trailer Fast Eddy FEC 100 Traeger Texas BBQ 075 UDS "Cool Hand Luke" 3 Weber Kettles and a Yellow Thermapen KCBS Certified BBQ Judge #8425

11-11-2006, 09:31 AM	#11
Kung Fu BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-24-06 Location: LSMO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	all we eat here are smart chickens. My wife is a stickler for food handling and processing. It's always a bit more expensive but i think the flavors always exceed other brands. __________________ Timmay of the TBD Brinkman Cimmaron Weber BBQ Grillware

11-11-2006, 01:21 PM	#12
Plowboy somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-09-06 Location: Blue Springs, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Its a good product. We've used it for comp, but have had better success with fresh whole birds from Alewel's Country Meats in Warrensburg, MO. They are a sponsor, so we get 3 birds every comp. They are young, tender birds and the skin is nice and thin. Turns out great. __________________ Pork Pullin Plowboys (and Smoke on Wheels) Save a hog, ride a plowboy! www.plowboysbbq.com Todd Johns (me); Blue Springs, MO Randy Hinck (PigBoy); Concordia, MO Andy Groneman (Hodedo); KC, KS (Cameo Appearances) FEC-500SS; FEC-100 (Right handed); FEC-100 (Left handed); Country Smoker Tailgater; Big Green Egg (2-large, small, mini); Cookshack Pellet Fired Charbroiler

11-11-2006, 09:19 AM	#6
bbqjoe Banned Join Date: 01-16-06 Location: Wikieup Arizona Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What is a smart chicken????

11-11-2006, 09:26 AM	#9
bbqjoe Banned Join Date: 01-16-06 Location: Wikieup Arizona Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Never heard of it. But the idea sounds good. I once watched a 60 minutes on chicken processing. It took quite some time before I could bring myself to eat chicken again.

11-11-2006, 01:31 PM	#13
Markbb is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 10-17-06 Location: Oklahoma Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Smart Chicken Learn somthing new every day!!!!!!!!!!!

11-11-2006, 03:24 PM	#14
scottyd is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-21-05 Location: South Dakota Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I seem to alway get the dumb one's, go figure. just kidding __________________ SCOTTY D SCOTTY D'S BUILT FOR BBQ LANG 84 STUMPS 223 STUMPS CLASSIC STUMPS PLATNUM BEING BUILT NOW WEBER KETTLE GOLD YOUR SILENCE WILL NOT SAVE YOU

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