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    Home » Recipes » Chicken and Poultry Recipes

    Beer Can Chicken recipe

    Sep 1, 2021 by Laureen King

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    Beer Can Chicken is an incredible recipe for grilling chicken. This easy BBQ recipe makes chicken that is amazingly flavorful and moist!  via @artandthekitchBeer Can Chicken makes incredibly flavorful, juicy, and moist chicken on the barbecue. via @artandthekitch

    Beer Can Chicken is an incredible recipe for grilled chicken. This easy barbecue recipe makes chicken that is amazingly flavorful and moist.

    Grilled chicken on beer can chicken roaster.

    The beer steams the chicken, keeping the inside super moist while roasting, yet still achieving the desirable crispy skin on the outside. Beer Can Chicken is my all-time favorite recipe for grilling chicken. Perfect for backyard parties, no one is stuck tending to the BBQ while everyone else is visiting. You put the chicken on to roast and leave it until done.

    Barbecue roasted chicken inserted into a can of beer on a can roaster rack.

    My preference is to use beer in this recipe. In Saskatchewan we call this recipe Beer Butt Chicken and everyone uses their favorite brand of beer. You have to empty half of the can, so you might as well enjoy sipping the other half while preparing the chicken.

    What can I use instead of beer in this recipe?

    • Soda such as root beer, Coke or Pepsi make terrific substitutions.
    • Non alcoholic beer.
    • Wine
    • Chicken stock

    How to cook beer can chicken.

    • Use a beer can chicken holder. They can be found at most hardware or BBQ stores as well as online.
    • Some holders come with racks, if not place the beer can chicken holder on a foil lined cookie sheet.
    • Cook chicken on the grill over medium heat with grill lid closed.
    • Depending on the size of your chicken it will take 1 to 1 ½ hours. Using a meat thermometer the internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Grilled chicken on beer can chicken roaster.

    What to serve with grilled chicken?

    Avocado Citrus Salad

    Santa Fe Salad

    Cucumber Watermelon Salad

    Bacon Kale Potato Salad

    How to Make Beer Can Chicken

    Mix up your favorite chicken rub. I like using thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sage, salt and pepper. If you like spicy, add some red pepper flakes.

    Bottles of spices, thyme, garlic powder, sage , smoked paprika with salt and pepper mills.

    Brush the chicken with olive oil. This helps the spice mix stick to the chicken and make the skin crispy.

    Whole raw chicken coated in spices.

    Pour about half of the beer out of the can (of course you drink this). Put any leftover spice mix and chopped onion into the beer can.

    Insert beer can into roaster rack and place chicken on top.

    Place roaster on an old baking sheet covered with foil wrap or large foil bake pan.

    Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken. A 3 lb chicken will take about 1 hour. Roast until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF.

    Whole raw chicken coated with spices inserted into beer can on barbecue roasting rack.

    This post was originally published on June 27, 2015. Occasionally I update with fresh tips, content, and photos. Current update April 28, 2021.

    Grilled chicken inserted into a can of beer on beer can chicken holder.

    Beer Can Chicken

    Laureen King
    Beer Can Chicken makes incredibly flavorful, juicy, and moist chicken on the grill.
    4 from 4 votes
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Course BBQ, Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 544 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3-4 pound chicken whole
    • 1 can beer
    • 1 medium onion
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 teaspoon thyme
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon sage
    • 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat grill.
    • Pat chicken dry with paper towel. Coat chicken with olive oil.
    • Mix together all the spices.
    • Rub half of the spice mixture over chicken, inside as well.
    • Drink half of the can of beer. Put remaining spice mix into the can of beer.
    • Push chopped onion into beer can.
    • Place beer can into roasting rack, then push chicken butt side into the beer can.
    • Place chicken rack onto old cookie sheet covered with foil.
    • Roast on medium heat until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165ºF. About 1 hour depending on the size of chicken.

    Notes

    If you prefer you can use soda instead of beer. Root beer tastes great.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6gCalories: 544kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 43gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 170mgSodium: 550mgPotassium: 491mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 516IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword beer can chicken, grilled chicken, chicken
    Tried this recipe?Mention @ArtAndTheKitchen or tag #ArtAndTheKitchen!
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    photo of author laureen

    About Laureen

    I created Art and the Kitchen as a way to share many great, tried and true recipes. My collection of recipes include family favorites and those special recipes handed down from my Mom, Grandma and friends. My recipes range from good old homestyle cooking to exquisite gourmet meals. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Laureen

      May 18, 2012 at 1:41 am

      I will have to try that, beer can chicken certainly is a guaranteed recipe for great tasting chicken.

      Reply
    2. Laureen King

      May 05, 2013 at 3:29 pm

      Cassie, I have never done it in the oven, but I don't think if would work well as the dripping would probably smoke up and it just doesn't cook the same as a barbeque.

      Reply
    3. Tara

      May 22, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      Yum, I love beer can chicken!!!

      Reply
    4. Laureen King

      May 22, 2013 at 6:20 pm

      thanks for answering that question queenbe123, much appreciated 🙂

      Reply
    5. Anonymous

      June 01, 2013 at 6:52 pm

      i've done it in the oven..works very well

      Reply
    6. Laureen King

      June 01, 2013 at 10:34 pm

      Just wondering for those that have tried this in the oven, does it make a mess ??

      Reply
    7. Frank in NOLA

      May 25, 2015 at 11:12 am

      Make sure you add about 4oz of Tabasco sauce to the beer. After cooking, remove can and pour contents into pan and allow cut out chicken to soak for extra flavor.

      Reply
      • Laureen King

        May 25, 2015 at 11:32 am

        Great idea Frank, thanks

        Reply
    8. Phil m

      June 04, 2015 at 8:33 am

      Tried this last night for the first time, absolutely amazing! I also added wood chips in a smoker box on the grill during the cook. Will definitely be using this recipe in the future.

      Reply
      • Laureen King

        June 04, 2015 at 8:43 am

        Phil, Wood chips would add some great flavour! thank you.

        Reply
    9. Darlene Lockrem

      September 07, 2021 at 10:33 am

      5 stars
      Easy to prepare and so good, great for a family picnic .

      Reply

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    I am Laureen, creator of Art and the Kitchen. On my blog you will find a collection or amazing recipes from homestyle-comfort food, gourmet and exceptional baking recipes! Read more!

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