Beer Can Chicken

Rating: 4.5 stars
217 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 145
  • 4 star values: 46
  • 3 star values: 19
  • 2 star values: 3
  • 1 star values: 4

This is a deliciously moist chicken recipe. It's perfect for a BBQ on a hot summer day!

 By Hunter's Mom 2008
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Ingredients

4
Original recipe yields 4 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, about 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Mix the brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, dry mustard, salt, and ground black pepper in a small bowl. Place the half-full can of beer in the center of a plate.

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  • Rinse chicken under cold running water. Discard giblets and neck from chicken; drain and pat dry. Fit whole chicken over the can of beer with the legs on the bottom; keep upright. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the seasoning mix into the top cavity of the chicken. The beer may foam up when the seasonings fall inside the can. Rub the remaining seasoning mix over the entire surface of the chicken.

  • Place the chicken, standing on the can, directly on the preheated grill. Close the lid and barbeque the chicken until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 hour 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove the chicken from the grill and discard the beer can. Cover the chicken with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.

Cook's Notes

The other half of the can of beer is for the cook to enjoy while preparing dinner.

For extra stability, an inexpensive beer can stand can be purchased at most kitchen stores.

Editor's Note

The nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of the beer and spice rub ingredients. The actual amount of these ingredients consumed will vary.

Partner Tip

Reynolds® Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
546 calories; 27.3 g total fat; 145 mg cholesterol; 479 mg sodium. 24 g carbohydrates; 47.5 g protein; Full Nutrition

Reviews (157)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

Miakoda
Rating: 4 stars
06/01/2010
I've made this before and it's very good. I find that instead of sprinkling the 1 tsp of seasoning into the cavity it's easier to put it inside the beer. Also I use an aluminum pie plate large enough to hold the beer can and chicken. This catches all the drippings and reduces flare-ups. I've also made this recipe using a spice called Montreal Chicken Seasoning. Read More
Helpful
(205)

Most helpful critical review

Stacey
Rating: 3 stars
03/05/2012
Good but for all the spices/seasonings I didn't think the chicken itself took on alot of the rubs flavor. And yes I did put some spices in with the beer - next time will try to put some of the spices between the skin & meat. Read More
Helpful
(15)
217 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 145
  • 4 star values: 46
  • 3 star values: 19
  • 2 star values: 3
  • 1 star values: 4
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
Miakoda
Rating: 4 stars
06/01/2010
I've made this before and it's very good. I find that instead of sprinkling the 1 tsp of seasoning into the cavity it's easier to put it inside the beer. Also I use an aluminum pie plate large enough to hold the beer can and chicken. This catches all the drippings and reduces flare-ups. I've also made this recipe using a spice called Montreal Chicken Seasoning. Read More
Helpful
(205)
Miakoda
Rating: 4 stars
06/01/2010
I've made this before and it's very good. I find that instead of sprinkling the 1 tsp of seasoning into the cavity it's easier to put it inside the beer. Also I use an aluminum pie plate large enough to hold the beer can and chicken. This catches all the drippings and reduces flare-ups. I've also made this recipe using a spice called Montreal Chicken Seasoning. Read More
Helpful
(205)
Jillian
Rating: 5 stars
08/05/2010
There's nothing quite like Beer Can Chicken! I made another recipe on this site a while ago and have been making these every summer. Since there's never a shortage of beer in this house or neighbor's to help us eat these birds we always love to make these. I made three of these last night for a BBQ! Two I made with regular paprika and one I made with smoked paprika and I added a couple teaspoons of garlic powder to all three. It's much easier to take the seasoning mixture and blend it with 1 cup of melted butter and place half of it into the beer can and baste the chicken with the other half. (I bascially had to triple the butter/seasoning for the BBQ). Invest in the holder that you can purchase at Wal-Mart or Bed Bath & Beyond you'll be glad you did! Read More
Helpful
(122)
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mantle
Rating: 4 stars
06/01/2010
Excellent. I've done this a bunch of times before reading this recipie. We call them Beer Butt Chickens where i come from. One tip though - before putting the chicken over the can make sure there's about 2 mouthfuls gone from the can. Some times the beer can splash up and it can get a bit messy. The type of beer also makes a difference - you can play around with differnt kinds. Read More
Helpful
(79)
TWL
Rating: 5 stars
07/19/2010
Made beer butt chicken for years. Get the holder it makes things much easier. Usually I make a butter baste but really like this rub. Made a couple little changes--a TBL of butter in the beer and garlic salt for the salt. I plug the neck with a small potato (carrot or apple would work) to keep steam inside and placed the 4.5 lb. bird on a soaked plank (keeps heat indirect while imparting smoke aroma/taste) and cooked at 325. Good eatin'. Read More
Helpful
(55)
Shawn Crowe
Rating: 5 stars
02/28/2011
Tastes great and was fun to make. The only thing I did to improve it was to stuff a whole onion in the neck-hole to keep the steam in. Read More
Helpful
(47)
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AJ Lombardi
Rating: 5 stars
06/03/2010
This recipe is fantastic. I added garlic powder and season salt to the rub mix. Cooked on indirect heat there were no flare ups and the result was a fall-off-the-bone chicken that was just awesome. I plan to make this often during the grilling season here in CT. Read More
Helpful
(39)
Bhuman
Rating: 5 stars
09/13/2010
This is my favorite way to do chicken. Put it on the grill during pregame and take it off at halftime. You really don't need to check it. The hardest part is keeping people from opening the grill to see what is smelling so good. Experiment with different beers and rubs. Indirect heat is the key. Oh one more thing all the pictures have the wings just sticking out I like to tuck the tips behind the breast it keeps them from getting overcooked. Save me a leg!! Read More
Helpful
(35)
Natasha
Rating: 5 stars
08/17/2010
Great recipe. I used Cornish hens and baked them in the oven. I covered them in foil for and hour then removed the foil and finished baking. As far as the can I used small tomato paste cans. Read More
Helpful
(32)
MAMALEIGH
Rating: 5 stars
07/16/2010
No beer no problem! Sub any canned soft drink or even chicken broth for the beer. We used diet cola. Be sure to pour out (or drink) about 1/4 cup of the liquid to prevent spills or running over. I omitted the chili powder and added some cayenne pepper and ground sage. We didn't have a beer can chicken stand so I stood the chicken and can in an aluminum pie pan. I also recommend that you rotate the chicken every 20 minutes or so. Thanks for sharing! Read More
Helpful
(27)
Stacey
Rating: 3 stars
03/05/2012
Good but for all the spices/seasonings I didn't think the chicken itself took on alot of the rubs flavor. And yes I did put some spices in with the beer - next time will try to put some of the spices between the skin & meat. Read More
Helpful
(15)
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