Orange & Chinese Five Spice Tea Brined Chicken

A southern favorite gets a citrus spiced twist perfect for wintertime in this flavorful Orange & Chinese Five Spice Tea Brined Chicken...

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Lipton. The opinions and text are all mine.

I know that when folks usually think of tea brined chicken they think of summertime grilling or classic Southern fried chicken. But I wanted to give this family dinner favorite a citrusy & warm spiced twist for the holidays and for the colder months ahead. I paired iced tea sweetened with maple syrup with fresh orange slices and Chinese Five Spice. Chinese Five Spice is a warm and flavorful blend of cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and peppercorns. It pairs perfectly with the bright citrus notes from the orange.

So why tea brine your chicken? First of all, it makes the chicken crazy moist and tender. Secondly, it adds amazing flavor to your chicken. And the maple syrup sweetened tea ensures that your chicken caramelizes beautifully as you grill it.

Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

Fall off the bone chicken thighs, carrots, and mushrooms are slow-cooked all day in a very simple red wine sauce until tender and flavorful in this Slow Cooker Coq au Vin...

Am I the only one who looks ahead to when their kiddos have left home and are in college and think about which things they will miss from home the most? (And I know that many of you have been or currently are in that place with your children.) 

I am still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that my son will be a high school graduate just 2 years from now. 

I mean, how do these things happen anyways?? One day I am taking him to Cub Scouts meetings and the next I am helping him register for classes for his freshman year of college. 

Those of you with little ones- it does happen that fast. Trust me.