Are you looking for a simple recipe for beer can chicken? Although beer can chicken may sound odd, the beer flavors the chicken as it cooks, producing a chicken that's tender and flavorful. It's simpler to make than an ordinary roast chicken, as there's less basting involved. Read on to learn how to make beer can chicken.
How to Make Beer Can Chicken : Types of Beer for Beer-Can Chicken
The personal chef in this video discusses the type of beer needed to make beer can chicken. She recommends using a cheap American beer, such as Budweiser, rather than an expensive imported beer. Her only requirement is that the beer comes in a 12 ounce can, so that it can adequately support the chicken vertically.
Introduction
Beer can chicken involves roasting a chicken vertically, using an open can of beer to support the chicken. The steam from the beer will help to season the chicken, so be sure to use a beer that you like.
Step 1: What You Need to Make Beer Can Chicken
- 1 whole chicken, about 4 pounds, cleaned, giblets removed, and ready for roasting
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 12 ounce can of beer
Step 2: How to Make Beer Can Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Wash the beer can.
- Open the beer can, and pour off (or drink) about 2 ounces of beer.
- Set the beer aside.
- Mix the seasonings together, and rub all over the inside and outside of the chicken.
- Place the beer can upright in the center of a roasting pan.
- Firmly seat the chicken on the beer can.
- Roast for 30 minutes, then bast with pan drippings.
- Roast for another 45 minutes, until breast meat has reached 165 degrees.
- Remove chicken from oven, and carefully lift the chicken off the can.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes, then carve and serve.
Step 3: Beer Can Chicken Variations
- You can substitute wine or chicken broth for the beer, usually either a clean beer can, or any similarly sized can that will fit inside the chicken.
- You can cut the top off the beer can, and mix seasonings of your choice in with the beer if desired. if you're adding seasonings, you'll want to pour off a bit more beer to leave adequate headspace at the top of the can.
- Ber can chicken can be made over an indirect fire on a charcoal or gas grill. Depending on the heat of your grill, it will probably take 2- 2 1/2 hours to cook a 4 pound chicken.
