Beer Can Chicken Recipe
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Beer Can Chicken

"This is a deliciously moist chicken recipe. It's perfect for a BBQ on a hot summer day!"

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 4.4 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (55)

What to Drink?

Wine Zinfandel
Beer Beer
Prep Time:
15 Min
Cook Time:
1 Hr 15 Min
Ready In:
1 Hr 30 Min

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 4 servings
 

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 (12 fluid ounce) can beer
  • 1 (3 pound) whole chicken

Directions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Footnotes

  • Cook's Notes
  • The other half of the can of beer is for the cook to enjoy while preparing dinner.
  • For extra stability, an inexpensive beer can stand can be purchased at most kitchen stores.
  • Editor's Note
  • The nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of the beer and spice rub ingredients. The actual amount of these ingredients consumed will vary.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 546 | Total Fat: 27.3g | Cholesterol: 145mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 1, 2010 by Miakoda   view full review
I've made this before and it's very good. I find that instead of sprinkling the 1 tsp of...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 5, 2010 by Jillian Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
There's nothing quite like Beer Can Chicken! I made another recipe on this site a while ago...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 1, 2010 by mantle   view full review
Excellent. I've done this a bunch of times before reading this recipie. We call them Beer Butt...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 3, 2010 by AJ Lombardi   view full review
This recipe is fantastic. I added garlic powder and season salt to the rub mix. Cooked on...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 28, 2011 by Crowhole   view full review
Tastes great and was fun to make. The only thing I did to improve it was to stuff a whole...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Sep. 13, 2010 by Bhuman   view full review
This is my favorite way to do chicken. Put it on the grill during pregame and take it off at...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 16, 2010 by MAMALEIGH   view full review
No beer, no problem! Sub any canned soft drink or even chicken broth for the beer. We used...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 17, 2010 by Natasha   view full review
Great recipe. I used Cornish hens and baked them in the oven. I covered them in foil for and...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 19, 2010 by TWL   view full review
Made beer butt chicken for years. Get the holder, it makes things much easier. Usually I make...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 6, 2010 by Renee   view full review
We used a larger roaster chicken so it took longer, but WOW, YUMMY! I chose to use Guinness...

 

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