Beer Can Chicken

One of my favorite meals that my husband cooks is Beer Can chicken.  He has perfected it!  Here is what you do:

INGREDIENTS

Whole chicken

Vegetable Oil

Your favorite spice rub

1 Can of your favorite beer – we like Heineken (the wide can – it helps stabilize the bird)

Rosemary – 3 springs

Thyme – 3 sprigs

BBQ

DIRECTIONS

1. Unwrap chicken and pat dry.
2. Rub the chicken down with vegetable oil (we use a paper towel soaked in veggie oil for easier application)
3. Now, rub the chicken down with your favorite spice rub.  We use salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic (2 tbsp. of each); pepper (1 tbsp.); thyme, rosemary, cumin (1 tsp.); cayenne pepper (1/2 tsp.).  Make sure you rub under the skin of the breast and inside the cavity.  (Also, make sure to remove any baggies of miscellaneous chicken parts, if there).
4. Open up the beer can, spill 1/4 of it out (or drink it) and then add to the can a pinch of the rub, the 3 sprigs of rosemary and 3 sprigs of thyme.
5. Place the chicken over the beer can, so that the legs help to prop the chicken up and keep it in place.
6. Cook on BBQ for 1 hour 20 minutes at 350 degrees, turning occasionally – watch for any possible flare-ups.  If you would rather use an instant-read thermometer, make sure it reads 165 degrees before you take it off the BBQ.
7. Once cooked and the skin is crispy (YUM), remove the chicken from the beer can – be careful as it will be super hot.
8. Place the chicken on a cutting board and let it rest for five minutes.
9. Carve into quarters and then serve.

Alternate cooking directions: If you want a smoky flavor, use a smoke box on top of the grill – add hickory and apple chips.  You can also substitute the beer for wine or any other liquid of your choice (sake, broth, etc.)

The chicken comes out so juicy and delicious.  We recommend a roasted veggie dish as a side, along with a tossed salad.  Carb free and super delish.

NOTE: After making this a few times, we decided to invest a little bit into the process and purchased the pan you see in the above picture.  We purchased it at William Sonoma and what’s great is that it comes with two built-in “cans” that you just pour the beer in to.  It also is an easier platform to stabilize the chicken.  Before purchasing this plan, one time we had a bit of an accident when the chicken fell over.  The beer spilled and caused an insane flare-up – hence the ordering of pizza shortly afterward.  LOL