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–+ servings

Ultimate BBQ Chicken and Beer: The Perfect Grilled Beer Can Chicken

This beer can chicken cooks a perfectly seasoned whole chicken on a grill until it's deliciously crisp on the outside and incredibly moist inside, full of flavor, and easy to carve.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 546
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken approximately 4-5 pounds
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 can 12 oz of your favorite beer (lagers and amber ales work great)
  • 4 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 sprig rosemary

Method
 

  1. Preheat your charcoal or gas grill for medium-high heat, aiming for approximately 375°F (190°C). If using a charcoal grill, set up for indirect cooking with coals on the sides.
  2. Remove giblets from the chicken cavity and thoroughly rinse the chicken inside and out. Pat dry with paper towels for better seasoning adherence and crispy skin.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
  4. Rub the chicken all over with olive oil, then generously apply the spice mixture, making sure to cover all surfaces including under the wings and inside the cavity.
  5. Open the beer can and drink (or pour out) about 1/4 of the beer. Add the crushed garlic cloves and rosemary sprig into the can.
  6. Place the beer can on a solid surface and carefully lower the chicken onto it, inserting the can into the cavity so the chicken sits upright like it's 'sitting' on the can.
  7. Balance the chicken on the grill using the legs and the can to form a tripod. Position it over indirect heat.
  8. Close the grill lid and cook for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
  9. Carefully remove the chicken from the grill, still on the beer can. Let it rest for 10 minutes before removing the can and carving the bird.
  10. Carve and serve with your favorite BBQ sides for a complete meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 546kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 48gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 479mgFiber: 3gSugar: 18g
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