Cola-Infused Beer Can Chicken
Experience a delightful twist on a classic barbecue favorite with this Cola-Infused Beer Can Chicken recipe. By utilizing a can of beer and infusing it with cola, this dish not only produces flavorful and juicy chicken but also becomes an impressive centerpiece for your gatherings. The combination of hickory wood smoke, zesty spices, and the richness of cola-based barbecue sauce creates a mouthwatering flavor profile that is sure to please your family and friends alike. Perfect for summer cookouts or cozy dinners, prepare to wow your guests with this easy and entertaining dish.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
beer
12 ounces (open can and remove half)
hickory chips
1 cup (soak in water for 1 hour before use)
kosher salt or sea salt
2 teaspoons (for seasoning)
brown sugar
2 teaspoons (for seasoning)
sweet paprika
2 teaspoons (for seasoning)
black pepper
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
whole chicken
4 lbs (cleaned and patted dry)
cooking spray
as needed (for greasing beer can)
cola
1/2 cup (for barbecue sauce)
ketchup
1/2 cup (for barbecue sauce)
Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons (for barbecue sauce)
instant onion flakes
1/2 teaspoon (for barbecue sauce)
minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon (for barbecue sauce)
steak sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons (for barbecue sauce)
liquid smoke
1/2 teaspoon (for barbecue sauce)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for barbecue sauce)
Instructions
1
Open the beer can and remove half of its content. Use a can opener to punch a few additional holes in the top of the can for better steam circulation.
2
Soak the hickory chips in water for at least 1 hour before grilling to enhance the smoky flavor.
3
Remove any giblets from the whole chicken and rinse it thoroughly with cold water, then pat dry with a paper towel.
4
Starting at the neck of the chicken, carefully loosen the skin from the breast and drumsticks using your fingers, creating pockets for the seasoning.
5
In a mixing bowl, combine the kosher salt, brown sugar, sweet paprika, and black pepper to create a seasoning blend.
6
Rub 2 teaspoons of the spice mixture under the loosened skin and into the cavity of the chicken. Reserve the remaining spice mixture for later.
7
Add the remaining spice mixture to the beer-can, which will cause it to foam slightly; don’t worry, it’ll settle down.
8
Spray the beer can with nonstick cooking spray and insert it into the cavity of the chicken, spreading the chicken's legs apart for stability.
9
Rub the reserved spice mixture over the outer skin of the chicken, ensuring even coverage.
10
Preheat the grill to a medium temperature, ensuring there is an 8-inch clearance between the lid and the grilling rack; the rack should be set to its lowest position.
11
Place a disposable aluminum baking pan under the chicken to catch drippings. For indirect grilling, place a disposable aluminum foil pan in the center, surrounded by hot coals.
12
Drain the hickory chips and place half of them onto the hot coals. Spray the grilling racks with nonstick cooking spray.
13
After 1 hour, add the remaining wood chips and more charcoal as needed to maintain the heat.
14
If using an oven, place the chicken in a cake pan to catch drippings while cooking.
15
Cook the chicken for approximately 2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 180°F (82°C).
16
Once done, use a spatula and tongs to carefully remove the chicken from the grill, allowing it to rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.
17
Using insulated rubber gloves and tongs, gently twist to remove the hot beer can from the chicken without tipping it.
18
For a delicious sauce, combine cola, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion flakes, minced garlic, steak sauce, liquid smoke, and black pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 6 minutes before cooling.
19
Serve the chicken with the warm sauce drizzled over it.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cola-Infused Beer Can Chicken?
It is a flavorful twist on a classic barbecue dish where a whole chicken is cooked over a partially filled beer can and served with a custom cola-based barbecue sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 6 people.
What type of wood chips should I use for smoking?
The recipe recommends using 1 cup of hickory chips to enhance the smoky flavor.
How long should the hickory chips soak?
You should soak the hickory chips in water for at least 1 hour before you begin grilling.
What size chicken is needed for this recipe?
A whole chicken weighing approximately 4 lbs is ideal for this recipe.
How do I prepare the beer can for the chicken?
Open a 12-ounce beer can, remove half of the beer, and use a can opener to punch additional holes in the top for better steam circulation.
Can I use sea salt instead of kosher salt?
Yes, the recipe allows for either kosher salt or sea salt in the seasoning blend.
What ingredients make up the dry rub?
The dry rub consists of salt, brown sugar, sweet paprika, and black pepper.
How do I apply the seasoning to the chicken?
Loosen the skin from the breast and drumsticks to create pockets, then rub the spice mixture under the skin, into the cavity, and over the outer skin.
What happens when I add the spices to the beer can?
Adding the spice mixture to the beer can will cause it to foam slightly, but it will settle down quickly.
Why should I spray the beer can with nonstick cooking spray?
Spraying the can makes it easier to insert into the chicken and easier to remove once the cooking is finished.
How do I stabilize the chicken on the grill?
Insert the beer can into the chicken's cavity and spread the legs apart to create a stable base.
What grill temperature is required?
The grill should be preheated to a medium temperature.
How much vertical space is needed in the grill?
Ensure there is at least an 8-inch clearance between the lid and the grilling rack, which should be set to its lowest position.
How do I set up the grill for indirect cooking?
Place a disposable aluminum foil pan in the center of the grill surrounded by hot coals.
When should I add the second half of the wood chips?
Add the remaining wood chips and more charcoal as needed after the chicken has been cooking for 1 hour.
Can this recipe be prepared in an oven?
Yes, you can cook the chicken in an oven by placing it in a cake pan to catch any drippings.
What is the target internal temperature for the chicken?
The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 180°F (82°C).
How long does the cooking process take?
The chicken typically takes approximately 2 hours to cook thoroughly.
How long should the chicken rest after cooking?
Allow the chicken to rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before removing the beer can and carving.
What is the safest way to remove the hot beer can?
Use insulated rubber gloves and tongs to gently twist and remove the hot can without tipping it.
What ingredients are in the cola barbecue sauce?
The sauce contains cola, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion flakes, minced garlic, steak sauce, liquid smoke, and black pepper.
How do I prepare the barbecue sauce?
Combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 6 minutes.
Do I serve the sauce hot or cold?
The sauce should be drizzled over the chicken while it is still warm.
Is liquid smoke necessary for the sauce?
Liquid smoke is used to provide a deep, smoky flavor that complements the grilled chicken.
What is the purpose of the onion flakes in the sauce?
The instant onion flakes add a savory depth and texture to the cola-based barbecue sauce.
Should I rinse the chicken before cooking?
Yes, the instructions suggest rinsing the chicken with cold water and patting it dry with a paper towel before seasoning.
How much cola is needed for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of cola for the barbecue sauce.
What type of paprika is used?
Sweet paprika is used in the seasoning blend for a mild, zesty flavor.
Is this recipe good for summer cookouts?
Yes, it is described as an impressive centerpiece that is perfect for summer cookouts and entertaining guests.