Beer Can Chicken Recipe
What is Beer Can Chicken?
If you’re looking for a way to spice up your summer BBQs, grilled beer can chicken is a must-try. This popular recipe involves cooking a whole chicken on a stand with an opened beer can inserted into its cavity. As the chicken cooks, the beer steams and infuses the meat with a deliciously smoky flavor, resulting in moist and flavorful chicken that’s perfect for sharing.
What makes beer can chicken unique is the way it’s cooked. Traditional grilled chicken can sometimes come out dry and lacking in flavor, but cooking it with beer ensures that it stays juicy and packed with taste. Plus, the unusual cooking method- with the chicken standing upright on the beer can- makes for impressive presentation that your guests are sure to love.
Ingredients
Ingredients are the foundation of any great recipe, and beer can chicken is no exception. To make this delicious and unique dish, you’ll need:
- a whole chicken
- chicken seasoning
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- black pepper
- chili powder
- kosher salt.
Of course, you’ll also need a can of your favorite beer, which should be inexpensive and have a flavor that complements the chicken. With these basic ingredients, you can create a flavorful and juicy beer can chicken that’s sure to impress your family and guests. Be sure to have everything prepared and ready to go before you start cooking, so that the process will be smooth and stress-free.
Preparation
When selecting a whole chicken for this recipe, it’s important to choose an organic chicken for a richer, more natural flavor. To prepare the chicken, start by patting it dry with paper towels, which will help the seasoning stick better
Using oil is an important step in making beer can chicken. It helps to ensure that the spice rub adheres to the chicken and makes for a crispy skin. When it comes to choosing oil, options like olive oil or vegetable oil can work well.
Dry ground mustard is an essential ingredient used to create the perfect seasoning blend for beer can chicken. It provides a unique tangy and slightly spicy flavor to the chicken that is hard to resist.
To prepare the seasoning blend, simply mix together the desired amount of each ingredient. For 2-3 tablespoons of seasoning, start with 1 tablespoon of paprika and 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and chili powder. Add a pinch of oregano and a dash of salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust the ratio of ingredients to your liking, and feel free to experiment with different spice combinations.
Other seasoning blend options for beer can chicken include Montreal chicken seasoning, roasted garlic and herb seasoning, and dry mustard-based blends.
Whatever blend you choose, be sure to massage it all over the surface of the chicken, including the cavity, before cooking. This will ensure that every bite is packed with flavor.
Cooking the Beer Can Chicken
Prepare your grill for indirect cooking. If you’re using a gas grill, preheat it to medium-high heat. If you’re using a charcoal grill, place the coals on one side of the grill to create indirect heat. To ensure the chicken does not stick to the grill, clean and oil the grates properly.
Meanwhile, open a can of your favorite beer and take a few sips. Then, insert the can into the cavity of the chicken, so that the chicken stands upright on the beer can, and place it on a gas grill or oven, cooking it over medium-high heat for about an hour.
Close the lid and cook for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F using a meat thermometer. The key to making sure the chicken is fully cooked is using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken should be cooked to 165°F in the thickest part of the chicken meat.
By following these simple steps, you’ll have a delicious and juicy beer can chicken that your family and guests will love. Don’t forget to let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes before carving to ensure the meat stays juicy. Any leftover chicken can be put into an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. So why not give this easy recipe a try tonight?