Mexican Style Beer Can Chicken Recipes

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.

TEX-MEX BEER-CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill for indirect cooking. Remove and discard neck and giblets from chicken cavity. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Carefully loosen skin at top of breast. Place butter and green onion whites evenly under skin of breast, without removing skin.
• In small bowl, mix vegetable oil, taco seasoning mix and salt. Rub all over outside of chicken. Open beer can; with can opener, make several other openings in top. Measure out 2/3 cup beer; discard or reserve for another use.
• Place half-full can of beer in ungreased shallow 8x8- or 13x9-inch aluminum grill pan. Carefully place chicken cavity over can, pushing until chicken balances in pan.
• Place on grill over medium heat, making sure chicken is balanced. Cover grill; cook 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until legs move easily when twisted or lifted and thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads at least 165°F.
• With tongs and flat metal spatula, carefully remove chicken and can from pan on grill; place on clean cutting board or serving platter. Carefully remove pan and drippings; let cool, then discard. Let chicken stand 5 to 10 minutes. Twist can to remove from chicken; discard can. Sprinkle with cilantro and green onion greens. Serve with salsa and lime wedges.
• To bake chicken, place oven rack in lowest position and heat oven to 375°F. Place prepared chicken on can in lightly sprayed 8-inch square (2-quart) baking dish. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until legs move easily when twisted or lifted and thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads at least 165°F. Let chicken stand 5 to 10 minutes. Twist can to remove from chicken; discard can. Sprinkle with cilantro and green onion greens. Serve with salsa and lime wedges.

MEXICAN-STYLE BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Prepare grill for indirect medium heat (350°F to 375°F). Preheat grill by turning all burners to medium. Turn off burner(s) on one side of grill.
• Mix Seasoning and red pepper in small bowl. Rub chicken with oil. Rub cavity with 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mixture. Sprinkle remaining seasoning mixture evenly over surface of chicken.
• Remove about 1/4 cup beer and poke 2 holes in top of can. Hold chicken upright (legs pointing down) and insert opened beer can into cavity. Stand chicken in upright position on unlit side of grill. Position legs to best support chicken (similar to a tripod). Close lid.
• Grill chicken 1 1/2 hours or until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thigh). Remove chicken from can before serving.

MEXICAN-STYLE BEER MARINADE

Steps:

• In a glass dish or large sealable plastic bag, combine all the ingredients. Add chicken drumsticks and coat thoroughly with the marinade. Cover the dish or seal the bag. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.