Beer Can Chicken Recipe

Course: Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: beer can chicken, beer in the butt chicken

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 2

Total Time: 2 10

Servings:

Calories: 580kcal

Author: Chef Jessica Anne

This Beer Can Chicken Recipe is made with a special blend of spices and a touch of sugar to make a zesty bark. Serve with Cola BBQ Sauce.

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Equipment

Ingredients

1 large whole roasting chicken
3 teaspoons coarse sea salt
3 teaspoons light brown sugar
3 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 can of beer , preferably not a light beer
Cola BBQ Sauce

Instructions

Prepare the grill. Make sure you have plenty of propane or charcoal. You will have this baby on there for 2 hours so plan accordingly. Heat the grill to high heat. You might need to remove the top rack so the chicken will have enough room to sit upright with the lid closed.
Clean 1 large whole roasting chicken by removing any excess fat or skin using kitchen shears and removing the giblets. Pat it dry with a paper towel and set on a foil lined baking sheet (check to make sure it fits on the grill).
In a small bowl combine the3 teaspoons coarse sea salt, 3 teaspoons light brown sugar, 3 teaspoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
Starting at the neck, gently loosen the skin from the breast down to the drum sticks with your fingers. Massage the spice mixture underneath skin over then over the outside of the skin.
Open the 1 can of beer and take 2-3 big swigs (about 1/3 of the can). Using a can opener make an additional opening on the opposite side of the can from the pop top.
Take the beer can and shove it up the body cavity (or set it directly into the grill holder). The chicken will be sitting up with the beer can sitting on the aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Tuck in the ends of the wings (flappers). The chicken will look like it is dancing with its arms behind its head.
Place the entire baking sheet with chicken onto the grill over indirect heat. Close. Keep closed, peeking to make sure it is still upright every 30 minutes. You might get a few flare-ups if the fat drips onto the flames, but hopefully the baking sheet will catch most of it while allowing the chicken to stay standing upright through the whole cooking process.
If you are making Cola BBQ Sauce, start it up now.
Remove the chicken at 2 hours and allow to stand for 10 minutes before carving. The chicken should have an internal temperature of 160°F. Carry over cooking while resting will bring it to 165°F.
Serve with Cola BBQ Sauce or your favorite BBQ sauce.
If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!

Notes

If you wish to make Beer Can Chicken in the oven, preheat to 350°F, follow the same instructions and bake for approximately 90-120 minutes. Check for internal temperature of 160°F. Cooking times will vary based on size of the chicken.

Nutrition