Crispy Dill Pickle Chicken Sandwiches
If you invested in one of those family-sized jars or have a few jars floating around, this is the pickle juice marinade recipe for you. Inspired by a popular crispy fast-food chicken sandwich, the marinade mixture calls for a whopping 1½ cups of leftover pickle juice to tenderize and infuse the thin chicken breasts with moisture and flavor. After one to four hours swimming in that pickle-y pool, we explain how to bread, bake, and sauce up your sandwiches to better-than-takeout territory.
Related: Tasty and Cheap Chicken Recipes (Under $3 Per Serving!) for Every Day This Month
Pickled Michelada
If dill isn't your favorite, don't despair. We have leftover pickle juice ideas for the brine in your pickled jalapeño jar. This tangy and spicy brunch cocktail includes ½ tablespoon of jalapeño brine per serving. A Tajín-lined rim finishes the beer cocktail in zippy style.
Pickle-Brined Chicken
Leftover pickle juice makes for a cheap and easy brine for chicken thighs too (not just chicken breasts). With this recipe as your guide, you'll learn how to bake the chicken to uber-juicy perfection. Then you'll use the pan drippings to stir together a speedy and savory white wine-infused pan sauce.
Copycat Chicken Sandwich
Sorry Chick-fil-A, we've been steering past the drive-through ever since we perfected your pickle juice marinade recipe in our Test Kitchen. Dill pickle juice and milk team up in the tenderizing marinade, while salt, pepper, and a pinch of powdered sugar (trust us!) star in the flour-based breading. Just add a toasted bun and side of waffle fries to round out the restaurant-style experience.
Pickled Whiskey Cocktail
Some bars offer "pickle backs"—essentially a shot of leftover pickle juice to drink after your shot of booze to cut the burn. Well, we cut to the chase with this pickle juice recipe that puts the pickle juice right into the cocktail. We love the easy-sipping format that allows us all to enjoy more responsibly (and pleasantly alongside a well-balanced blend of spicy sriracha, sweet honey, caramel-flavored Irish whiskey, and tart lime juice).