Basic Beer Can Chicken Recipes

BAKED BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix the garlic powder, seasoned salt, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper in a small bowl; set aside. Pour 1/3 of one can of beer into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place the open beer can in the center of the baking dish.
• Rinse chicken under cold running water. Discard giblets and neck from chicken; drain and pat dry. Fit whole chicken over the open beer can with the legs on the bottom. With the breast of the chicken facing you, use a paring knife to cut a small slit on each side and press the tip of each wing into the slit to encourage even cooking.
• Rub the prepared seasoning mixture to taste over the entire chicken. Pat the sliced green onions around the whole chicken evenly. Some will fall into the beer, that's fine. Press the halved green onions into the top cavity of the chicken. Open the remaining beer and pour 1/2 of it into the pan under then chicken. Reserve the remaining beer.
• Bake the chicken in the preheated oven. After 45 minutes, pour remaining beer into the pan under the chicken. Continue baking until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 30 additional minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove the chicken from the oven and discard the beer can. Cover the chicken with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.

BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, about 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Mix the brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, dry mustard, salt, and ground black pepper in a small bowl. Place the half-full can of beer in the center of a plate.
• Rinse chicken under cold running water. Discard giblets and neck from chicken; drain and pat dry. Fit whole chicken over the can of beer with the legs on the bottom; keep upright. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the seasoning mix into the top cavity of the chicken. The beer may foam up when the seasonings fall inside the can. Rub the remaining seasoning mix over the entire surface of the chicken.
• Place the chicken, standing on the can, directly on the preheated grill. Close the lid and barbeque the chicken until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 hour 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove the chicken from the grill and discard the beer can. Cover the chicken with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.

OVEN BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Remove all but the bottom rack from the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Set a large ovenproof skillet on a baking pan.
• Mix the coriander, paprika, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper together in a small bowl. Pat the chicken dry and sprinkle the spice mixture all over the chicken and inside the cavity.
• Pour about 1/2 cup of the beer into the skillet, then insert the open can into the larger chicken cavity. Set the chicken upright on the can in the skillet. Add 1 cup of water to the beer in the skillet.
• Transfer the baking pan with the skillet to the oven and roast until the chicken is golden brown all over and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the breast registers 160 degrees F, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Carefully transfer the chicken with the beer can to a cutting board and let stand 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour the contents of the skillet out into a fat-separating measuring cup (be very careful, the skillet's handle will be hot). Spoon 1 tablespoon of the fat that has risen to the top onto the skillet. Set the skillet over medium heat and add the shallot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Pour the juices from the measuring cup into the skillet, leaving the remaining fat behind (if you don't have a fat-separator, pour the juices into a bowl and remove as much of the fat as possible with a small ladle). Bring the juices to a simmer in the skillet, about 1 minute, then add the cream and bring back to a simmer, about 1 minute. If the sauce seems too concentrated, dilute with a little water. If it seems too thin, simmer until reduced to a nice coating consistency. Stir in the parsley.
• Remove the can by placing tongs around the edge of the neck cavity and tipping the chicken back just slightly. Carefully twist and remove the can while holding the chicken back with the tongs. Return the chicken to the middle of the cutting board and carve into pieces. Serve the chicken with the sauce.

BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Remove neck and giblets from chicken and discard. Rinse chicken inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub chicken lightly with oil then rub inside and out with salt, pepper and dry rub. Set aside.
• Open beer can and take several gulps (make them big gulps so that the can is half full). Place beer can on a solid surface. Grabbing a chicken leg in each hand, plunk the bird cavity over the beer can. Transfer the bird-on-a-can to your grill and place in the center of the grate, balancing the bird on its 2 legs and the can like a tripod.
• Cook the chicken over medium-high, indirect heat (i.e. no coals or burners on directly under the bird), with the grill cover on, for approximately 1 1/4 hours or until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F in the breast area and 180 degrees F in the thigh, or until the thigh juice runs clear when stabbed with a sharp knife. Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.

BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Prepare a kettle grill with charcoal off to one side for indirect grilling and add the soaked apple wood or mesquite wood chips over the coals. Remove the neck and giblets and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Brush chicken all over with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper and 3 tablespoons dry rub. Set aside.
• Open the beer can, pour out about 1/2 cup of the beer into a cup and drink it (or pour it over the wood chips). Make an extra hole in the top of the can with a church-key can opener. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon dry rub to the beer can (it might fizz up a little bit at the top, but don't worry, that is normal), the garlic and rosemary.
• Hold the chicken above the can of beer and slide the chicken over the can. Fold the wings back behind the chicken. Make sure the legs are in front of the can, supporting the chicken. Place the chicken inside a disposable pan.
• Place the pan on the grates of the grill on the opposite side of the charcoals, put lid on and cook the chicken until golden brown and the internal temperature registers 160 degrees F in the breast area and 175 degrees F in the thigh area on an instant-read thermometer, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the grill (be careful not to spill the contents of the beer can as it will be very hot) and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.
• Use a pair of locking tongs and grab the bottom of the beer can to remove from the chicken cavity. Place on a platter or cutting board to rest and cool. Carve and serve.

CLASSIC BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Grilling Method: Indirect/Medium Heat
• Remove neck and giblets and pat dry chicken with paper towels. Brush chicken all over with oil and season with 2 tablespoons dry rub or simply with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Open beer can, pour out about 1/4 cup of the beer, and make an extra hole in top of the can with church-key can opener. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of the dry rub inside beer can (it might fizz up a little bit at the top, but don't worry, that is normal).
• Hold chicken above the can of beer and slide the chicken over the can, making sure the legs are in front of the can. The legs will act as a tripod, steadying the chicken as it cooks. The chicken will appear to be "sitting" on the grate. Fold the wings back behind the chicken-this is called "wings akimbo."
• Place chicken on the beer can in the center of the grill's cooking grate. Make sure the legs are in front of the can, supporting the chicken.
• Cook chicken for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature registers 165°F in the breast area and 180°F in the thigh. Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.

FALL-OFF-THE-BONE BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Spoon garlic powder into beer in the can. Prop the chicken, butt-side down, onto the beer can so the can goes into the cavity. Place the chicken, with the can as a stand, into a large oven-proof skillet.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; add garlic and cook until butter starts bubbling, about 2 minutes. Remove garlic and discard.
• Inject chicken with the garlic-infused butter using a baster or injector until all areas are injected.
• Mix brown sugar, paprika, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Coat chicken with brown sugar mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

THE BEST BEER CAN CHICKEN EVER

Steps:

• Preheat grill for medium heat. If using charcoal, push coals to the side of the grilling area for indirect heat.
• Pour stout beer into an empty 12-ounce soda can and drop Thai chilies and garlic cloves into the can. Mix brown sugar, dry mustard, garam masala, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin, cinnamon, onion powder, garlic powder, and nutmeg in a bowl.
• Rinse the chicken and coat the skin with the entire batch of spice rub. Place soda can containing beer mixture onto the prepared grill and sit the chicken upright onto the can.
• Grill chicken over indirect heat until juices run clear and an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast, not touching bone, reads at least 165 degrees F (75 degrees C), about 45 minutes. Let chicken rest 10 minutes before serving.

HOW TO COOK AN OVEN-ROASTED BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Wet Rub: Mix all together the olive oil, thyme, rosemary, sage, a bit of salt and pepper; and garlic. Rub all over the chicken.
• Dry Rub: Mix all together the paprika, kosher salt, pepper onion salt, pepper, white sugar and brown sugar. Rub the chicken with a bit of olive oil and then coat the chicken with the dry rub.
• Preheat your oven to 375 or 190.6°C You may have to remove the second rack in your oven and move the other rack lower, so that the chicken will fit in while standing upright.
• In a large bowl, apply your rub of choice all over the chicken. Rub under the wings, legs, and even inside of cavities. Leave the chicken in the bowl until you are ready to place it on your can.
• Place the can on a baking sheet or oven-safe griddle. Place the chicken over the can. Open the rear cavity of the chicken and carefully place it over the can, so only about an inch of the can is showing.
• Place the chicken in the oven and roast to an internal temperature of 165 or 73.9°C Depending on the size of your chicken, this can take about 75-90 minutes or so. Once the chicken has reached the appropriate internal temperature, let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving.

BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Light a lidded barbecue. Let the flames die down and the coals turn ashen, then mound the coal up on one side. If using a small barbecue, you will have to remove the grills and place a sturdy roasting tin on the floor of the barbecue, next to the coals - this will give you space to close the lid once the chicken is in. If you have a large barbecue, the chicken can sit directly on the grills (or on a tray on the grills, so that it doesn't topple over.)
• To make the rub, mix all the ingredients together with a good grinding of black pepper. Drizzle the chicken with the oil, sprinkle over the rub and massage it into the skin, making sure you get into all the nooks and crannies, even inside the cavity.
• Use a can opener to take off the top of the can of beer. Pour out half the beer (tip into a glass to drink!) and leave the rest in the can, as it will keep the chicken moist while it cooks. Pop the chicken onto the can, legs down, so that it looks like it is sitting upright with the can in its cavity. Stand the chicken and can upright on the barbecue, either in the roasting tin or directly on the grill, on the side with no coals. Close the lid and cook for 1 hr 20 mins until the chicken is browned, the meat tender and the juices run clear. If the juices aren't clear, cook for a further 10 mins, then check again. (To cook in the oven, heat to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Sit the chicken on a baking tray, place in the bottom of the oven, and follow the same cooking time.)
• Remove the chicken from the barbecue, cover lightly with foil and leave to rest for 20 mins before serving.

BASIC BEER-CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Apply your favorite spice rub, if desired, under and on skin of one 3- to 4-pound whole chicken. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• "Stand" the chicken onto an open beer can (filled halfway with beer or seasoned liquid from the article in the August issue) so that the can is inside the cavity. Stand upright on grill. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat (see specifics below) until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 175°F.
• **For charcoal grill:**Rake hot coals to the sides and roast chicken over drip pan containing a half an inch of water for one hour. Add 12 more briquets; leave uncovered until smoking. Recover and continue cooking.
• For gas grill: Leave one burner off and put chicken over unlit burner for cooking time.