Spanish Spice-Rubbed Chicken Breasts

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts

For the brine
2 quarts cold water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup salt

For the rub:
2 tablespoons Spanish paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons ground fennel seed
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt

For the parsley-mint sauce:
2 serrano chiles
1 1/2 cups tightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
2/3 cup tightly packed fresh mint leaves
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3/4 cup olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Procedure

1. Wish together the ingredients for the brine until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Place the chicken breasts in the brine, using a plate to keep them submerged, and brine in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes.

2. While the chicken is brining, combine all of ingredients for the rub in a small bowl. Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the breasts on all over with the rub and place in a Ziploc bag and let sit in the refrigerator for 2 hours to overnight.

3. Grill the serrano chiles until charred on all sides and remove to a small bowl, cover, and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Peel and roughly chop the chiles and add them along with the parsley, mint, and garlic to a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the honey and mustard and process until combined. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil and blend until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then transfer to a small bowl and set aside.

4. Brush the chicken lightly with olive oil and grill, skin side down until golden brown and crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the breasts over, cover, and continue to cook until an instant read thermometer reads 165 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the breast, about 5 to 10 minutes more.

5.Transfer chicken to a platter and immediately drizzle with some of the parsley-mint sauce. Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve with additional sauce on the side.