Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      quart         water
   4      tablespoons   sugar
   3      tablespoons   kosher salt
   1      tablespoon    black pepper
   1      teaspoon      thyme
   2      teaspoons     oregano
   4                    bay leaves -- crumbled (4 to 5)
   4      cloves        garlic -- smashed
   2      tablespoons   vinegar

Preparation:

Heat the water and add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a low simmer, stir a few times and remove from the heat. Let cool. That's the brine. How to use it? One very easy way is a gallon freezer bag. Put the meat in the bag and pour the cooled brine over it. Squeeze out much of the air, put the bag in a container and refrigerate. Just in case of leaks. Chicken pieces benefit from the juice of a lemon and a tablespoon of rubbed sage added to the brine