Cooking A Beer Can Chicken – The best way to BBQ a whole chicken is beer can chicken on the grill! This chicken is moist and super tasty and the whole chicken is cooked on a beer can.
There’s nothing better than a chicken cooked outside on the grill. Grilling a whole chicken can be rewarding and a little tricky.
Cooking A Beer Can Chicken
Grilling chicken can sometimes be messy with lots of flare-ups on the grill. This Beer Can Chicken is as easy as it gets and since it’s cooked over indirect heat, there’s no flaming on the grill.
Delicious Grilled Beer Can Chicken
The beer in the can keeps the chicken nice and moist. I add extra flavors like lemon, garlic and fresh herbs. They add so much flavor!
Grilling a whole chicken takes a bit of time, but it’s most of the cooking time and the results are amazing. It’s perfect for serving at dinner and leftovers are always put to good use.
I have a nifty stand that I use that fits a beer can. The chicken then fits on top of the box. You can do this without a stand, but you run the risk of the chicken falling over while cooking.
If you’re looking for a way to cook a whole chicken in the oven, check out this delicious roasted chicken recipe!
Ingredient Beer Can Chicken
This section reviews the best ingredients and alternatives to this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperature and time, check out the printable recipe card below.
Any kind of beer in a can works perfectly for Beer Can Chicken. We use light pilsner beers like PBR or Coors.
Try to find a chicken that is between 4-5 pounds. If you use a smaller chicken, you may want to reduce the cooking time.
Baked Beer Can Chicken Recipe
We used large, but just make sure the chicken fits on your grill with the lid closed. You also need to increase the cooking time.
Cooking time is about 1 ½ hours, but cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken, your grill, and outside conditions (wind, temperature, weather).
I have also made this chicken without beer. Sounds crazy because it’s called Beer Can Chicken. What you need is a clean one that is filled halfway with liquid. Some options include:
Adding lemon and herbs is also optional. They add a bit of flavor, but the chicken is still delicious without them.
Beer Can Chicken Recipe
You may also want to check out this post, What to Serve with BBQ Chicken, which has a collection of delicious side dishes.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and take a photo and tag me on Instagram @
If you like this recipe, you’ll love everything else in this category. Check out all my grilling recipes!
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be considered as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To get the most accurate nutritional information in a recipe provided, you should calculate the nutritional information with the correct ingredients during recipe preparation using your favorite nutrition calculator.
Juicy Beer Can Chicken (beer Butt Chicken)
Calories: 277 kcal : 21 mg : 21 mg. When you make this beer chicken, get ready for a tender, fall-off-the-bone whole chicken that’s moist on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Alice founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. He holds an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
I grew up with four younger brothers, and if you told them you’d put half-drunk beer in a chicken butt and grill it, I think they’d be interested in cooking.
Joking aside, this is a wonderful way to roast chicken on the grill or in the oven. Yes, the chicken looks rather ridiculous perching its beer can, covered in weed and half ready to greet you.
Grilled Beer Can Chicken
But listen to me. While the chicken is roasting dry on the outside, the inside is being bathed in steamy beer, leaving the chicken wonderfully moist.
A basic recipe for beer can chicken (also called beer butt chicken for obvious reasons) is as follows.
We are using only olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme on the chicken, which we believe brings out the best in chicken flavor. You can easily experiment with your favorite spice rub, or even use liquor or root beer instead of standard beer.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare the chicken as described in steps 2 and 3. Place the chicken in a large roasting pan that is large enough to hold the chicken and any cooking juices. Cook for 13 to 15 minutes per pound, until the breast reaches 165°F and the thigh reaches 170°F.
Beer Can Chicken With Cola Barbecue Sauce Recipe
You don’t need to use a can to make this chicken. There are holders you can buy—search for “beer can chicken holder”—that both hold the chicken upright and have a can-shaped middle into which you can pour beer (or other liquid) and replace the can. can take
You can also use a can of vegetables or beans. Remove the lid from the can, empty the contents, remove the label, and pour beer (or other liquid) into the can.
Oven Instructions: You can also roast the chicken in the oven like this. Simply place it on a half-open can of beer, sitting in a roasting pan on the bottom rack of your oven. Roast at 350°F until done (about an hour fifteen to an hour and a half for a 4 pound chicken).
For an alcohol-free version of this recipe, use an open can of baked beans (remove label) instead of beer. The juices from the chicken will seep into the cooked beans and become flavorful, which you can use as a side dish for the chicken.
Caribbean Beer Can Chicken
*% Daily Value (DV) tells you how much of the nutrients in a serving of food contribute to your daily intake. 2,000 calories per day is used for general nutritional advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using the ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient substitutions are given, the first listed nutrient is counted. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to store cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist our marketing efforts. This easy barbecue recipe makes chicken that’s surprisingly flavorful and moist.
The beer steams the chicken, keeping the inside super moist during roasting, yet achieving the desired crispy skin on the outside. Beer can chicken is my all-time favorite recipe for grilling chicken. Perfect for backyard parties, no one is paying attention to the BBQ while everyone else is visiting. You put the chicken to roast and leave it until done.
Cajun Beer Can Chicken
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 can enjoy sipping the other half while you prepare the chicken.
Mix in your favorite chicken rub. I like to use thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sage, salt and pepper. If you like it spicy, add some red pepper flakes.
Brush the chicken with olive oil. This helps the spice mixture stick to the chicken and make the skin crispy.
Pour about half the beer out of the can (you drink it, of course). Add any leftover spice mix and chopped onion to the beer can.
Lawry’s® Beer Can Chicken
Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken. A 3 pound chicken will take about 1 hour. Roast until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF.
This post was originally published on June 27, 2015. Occasionally I update with fresh tips, content and photos. Current update 28 April 2021.
Per Serving: 6 g Calories: 544 kcal Carbohydrates: 5 g Protein: 43 g Fat: 37 g Saturated Fat: 10 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 8 g Monounsaturated Fat: 16 g Trans Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 170 mg Sodium: 5 g Potassium 491 mg Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 1 g Vitamin A: 516 IU Vitamin C: 6 mg Calcium: 37 mg Iron: 2 mg
I created Art and the Kitchen as a way to share lots of great, tried and true recipes. My recipe collection includes family favorites and special recipes passed down from my mother, grandmother and friends. My recipes range from good old home cooking to the finest gourmet cuisine. Read more… Skillet Beer Can Chicken. A whole chicken is rubbed with a spice mixture and cooked in the oven on a beer can. Skillet Beer Can Chicken is tender, juicy and incredibly flavorful.
Skillet Beer Can Chicken
Beer Can Chicken is incredibly juicy with a golden crispy inside.
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