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Juicy Beer Can Chicken Recipe

A whole roasted chicken with crispy, seasoned skin sitting on a white plate, ready to serve from the Juicy Beer Can Chicken Recipe.
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Follow these steps to make a whole chicken that stays moist inside while achieving crispy skin using the vertical beer can roasting method.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole chicken (about 4 lbs)
  • 1 can (12 oz) beer, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions

  1. Remove giblets and neck from the chicken cavity. Pat the chicken completely dry, inside and out, using paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the salt, paprika, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme to create the dry rub.
  3. Rub the olive oil all over the exterior of the chicken. Sprinkle the dry rub evenly over the entire surface of the chicken.
  4. Open the beer can and pour out about half of the liquid. Do not discard the liquid.
  5. Carefully position the chicken upright over the open beer can, inserting the can into the cavity so the chicken balances on the can and its legs. The beer will steam inside the chicken as it cooks.
  6. Preheat your grill to medium-low heat (around 325°F or 160°C). If using charcoal, bank the coals on the sides to create indirect heat.
  7. Place the chicken assembly (chicken on the can) on the cooler side of the grill, away from direct heat. Close the lid.
  8. Grill for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding bone) registers 165°F (74°C).
  9. Carefully remove the chicken from the grill using tongs and heat-safe gloves. Let the chicken rest on a cutting board for 15 minutes before carving. Do not drink the remaining beer in the can.

Notes

  • Use a light-colored beer, like a lager or pilsner, as dark beers can sometimes impart a bitter flavor.
  • If you do not have a dedicated vertical chicken roaster stand, you can use a sturdy, empty soda can that has been cleaned thoroughly.
  • For extra crispy skin, you can briefly move the chicken over direct heat for the last 5 minutes of cooking, watching closely to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/juicy-beer-can-chicken-recipe/