Ultimate Grilled Beer Can Chicken
Indulge in the Ultimate Grilled Beer Can Chicken, a show-stopping dish that’s packed with flavor and boasts a perfectly crisp skin. The secret lies in a robust spice rub and a tangy homemade glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. Perfect for summer cookouts or cozy winter nights, this recipe ensures juicy, tender chicken infused with rich beer flavor. BBQ enthusiasts and novice cooks alike will be impressed by the ease of preparation and delightful results, making this a wonderful choice for family gatherings or dinner parties. You will fall in love with the smoky aroma that fills the air while cooking, and every bite of this succulent chicken will leave you craving more. Serving two whole chickens means you can feed a crowd, or simply have leftovers for delicious meals throughout the week!
N/A
Servings
333
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
light brown sugar
4 tablespoons (packed)
paprika
2 tablespoons
salt
1 tablespoon
black pepper
1 tablespoon
cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon
ketchup
2 tablespoons
white vinegar
2 tablespoons
beer
4 tablespoons (use beer from cans)
hot sauce
1 teaspoon
beer cans
2 (12 ounces each)
bay leaves
4 (crumbled)
roasting chickens
2 (3 - 3 1/2 lbs each) (patted dry)
Instructions
1
Preheat your grill by turning all burners to high and closing the lid.
2
In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to create the spice rub. Set aside.
3
Prepare the glaze by mixing 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, ketchup, white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of beer (reserve from the cans), and hot sauce in a separate bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of the spice rub and stir well. Set aside.
4
Open each can of beer by pouring out approximately 1/2 cup. Use a church key can opener to punch holes in the top, allowing steam to escape. Add 2 crumbled bay leaves to each beer can.
5
Loosen the skin of each chicken breast and thigh carefully with your fingers, taking care not to tear the skin. Rub the spice mixture generously under the skin and inside the cavity. Poke the skin all over with a skewer to facilitate fat rendering during cooking.
6
Turn off all grill burners except for the main burner(s), leaving them on high. Stabilize the grill temperature around 375°F. Position the chickens upright on the beer cans and place them on the cooler side of the grill, using the drumsticks for stability.
7
Cover the grill and let the chickens cook for 40 to 60 minutes, or until the skin is deeply browned and crispy.
8
Using a brush, apply the ketchup glaze to the chickens and continue grilling, covered, until the thigh meat reaches an internal temperature of 170°F, approximately 20 minutes longer.
9
Once done, transfer the chickens to a cutting board and allow them to rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
8g
Carbs
33g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Grilled Beer Can Chicken?
It is a succulent and flavorful grilled chicken dish where the chicken is cooked upright on a beer can, resulting in juicy meat and perfectly crisp skin.
What size roasting chickens should I use?
This recipe calls for two roasting chickens, each weighing between 3 to 3 1/2 lbs.
What are the ingredients for the spice rub?
The spice rub consists of light brown sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
How is the glaze for the chicken prepared?
The glaze is a mixture of brown sugar, ketchup, white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of beer, hot sauce, and 1 tablespoon of the prepared spice rub.
How much beer should be removed from the cans before cooking?
You should pour out approximately 1/2 cup of beer from each 12-ounce can before inserting them into the chickens.
Why do I need to punch holes in the beer cans?
Punching extra holes in the top of the can with a church key allows steam to escape more effectively, which infuses the chicken with moisture and flavor.
What is the purpose of adding bay leaves to the beer cans?
Adding crumbled bay leaves to the beer cans helps to infuse the meat with a rich, herbal aroma from the inside out.
How should the spice rub be applied to the chicken?
Carefully loosen the skin of the breast and thighs and rub the mixture generously under the skin as well as inside the cavity.
Why should I poke the chicken skin with a skewer?
Poking the skin all over helps the fat render during the cooking process, which is key to achieving a deeply browned and crispy skin.
What is the recommended grill temperature for this recipe?
You should stabilize the grill temperature at approximately 375°F.
Does this recipe use direct or indirect heat?
This recipe uses indirect heat; you turn off all burners except for the main burner(s) and place the chickens on the cooler side of the grill.
How do you position the chickens on the grill?
The chickens are positioned upright on the beer cans, using the drumsticks as a tripod to provide stability during the grilling process.
How long do the chickens cook before the glaze is applied?
The chickens should cook covered for 40 to 60 minutes until the skin is deeply browned before you apply the glaze.
What is the target internal temperature for the chicken?
The chicken is ready when the thigh meat reaches an internal temperature of 170°F.
How long should the chicken rest after grilling?
Allow the chickens to rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before carving to ensure the juices redistribute.
How many calories are in a serving of this chicken?
There are approximately 333 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains about 33g of protein.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 20g of fat per serving in this recipe.
Are there many carbohydrates in this dish?
No, it is relatively low in carbohydrates with only 8g per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, because it serves two whole chickens, it is an excellent choice for feeding a crowd or a large family.
Can I make this recipe in the winter?
Absolutely, while it is great for summer cookouts, it is also perfect for cozy winter nights.
What kind of sugar is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifies light brown sugar for both the spice rub and the homemade glaze.
What type of vinegar is used in the glaze?
The glaze uses white vinegar to provide a tangy contrast to the sugar and ketchup.
What should I do with the chickens before seasoning them?
You should pat the chickens dry with paper towels to ensure the spice rub adheres properly and the skin crisps up.
What kind of beer cans are required?
You will need two 12-ounce cans of beer.
Does the recipe include hot sauce?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of hot sauce is included in the glaze to add a bit of heat.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 12 ingredients used in this recipe.
Is the chicken skin supposed to be caramelized?
Yes, the homemade glaze caramelizes beautifully on the grill during the final 20 minutes of cooking.
Can I use the spice rub in the glaze?
Yes, the instructions specifically state to add 1 tablespoon of the prepared spice rub into the glaze mixture.
Is this a good recipe for beginners?
Yes, it is described as being impressive for both BBQ enthusiasts and novice cooks due to its ease of preparation.