Best Barbecued Beer Can Chicken Cooks Country Recipes

BARBECUED BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Turn all grill burners to high and close lid to preheat.
• For the spice rub: Mix 2 T. brown sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper and cayenne in a small bowl and set aside.
• For the glaze: Stir 2 T. brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, beer (take from your beer cans) and hot sauce in a bowl; add 1 T. spice rub; set aside.
• Pour out about 1/2 cup or so from each can of beer. Using a church key can opener, punch holes in the top of the can to completely "open" the top; this will allow maximum steam to escape. Add 2 crumbled bay leaves to each can.
• Loosen the skin on the chicken breasts and thighs of the chicken by sliding your fingers between the skin and the meat. Massage the spice mixture on the skin, under the skin, and inside the cavity. Using a skewer, poke the skin all over to render as much fat as possible while cooking.
• Turn off all but primary grill burners, leaving main burner(s) on high (for my grill, I leave two burners on, but this will depend on how many burners your grill has -- mine has three. The temperature inside your grill should stay around 375). Place chickens on cans; place on cool part of grill, using drumsticks to stabilize them. Cover and grill until skin is very well browned and very crisp, 40 to 60 minutes. Brush with ketchup glaze and grill, covered, until thigh meat registers 170 degrees on instant-read thermometer, about 20 minutes longer.
• Transfer chickens to cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.

BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Gently loosen skin from the chicken. Brush chicken with oil. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon spice mixture into cavity. Rub the remaining spice mixture over and under the skin. Place lemon slices in neck cavity. Tuck wing tips behind the back., Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Pour out half the beer, reserving for another use. Poke additional holes in top of the can with a can opener. Holding the chicken with legs pointed down, lower chicken over the can so it fills the body cavity., Place chicken over drip pan; grill, covered, over indirect medium heat until a thermometer reads 180° 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove chicken from grill; cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Remove chicken from can.

BBQ BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Soak wood chips in water for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for indirect medium heat, about 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix together dark brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Place two half full cans of beer on a baking sheet. Spoon 1 teaspoon seasoning mix into each can. Be careful, this will make the beer foam up and out of the can.
• Rinse chicken under cold running water. Discard giblets and neck from chicken; drain and pat dry. Rub each chicken with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Rub the remaining seasoning mix over the entire chicken, inside and out. Fit each chicken over a can of beer with the legs on the bottom; keep upright.
• Drain the wood chips and place them with the coals or in an aluminum pan on or under the grill grate as directed by the grill's manual. Place the two chickens, standing on their cans directly on the grill. Close the lid and barbeque the chicken until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 hour 30 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 chickens from the grill and discard the beer cans. Cover the chicken with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.

BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.

BARBECUE BEER-CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill for indirect cooking. Remove and discard neck and giblets from chicken cavity. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
• In small bowl, mix paprika, salt, chili powder, coriander, cumin and pepper. Rub mixture on inside and over outside of chicken, using all of mixture. Carefully loosen skin at top of breast. Place butter evenly under skin of breast, without removing skin.
• Open beer can; with can opener, make several other openings in top. Measure out 2/3 cup beer; discard or reserve for another use. Place half-full can of beer in ungreased shallow 8x8- or 13x9-inch aluminum grill pan. Carefully place chicken cavity over can, pushing until chicken balances in pan.
• Place on grill over medium heat, making sure chicken is balanced. Cover grill; cook 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until legs move easily when twisted or lifted and thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads at least 165°F. Brush chicken all over with 1/4 cup of the barbecue sauce. Cook 8 to 12 minutes longer or until skin of chicken is crisp, but not burned.
• With tongs and flat metal spatula, carefully remove chicken and can from pan on grill; place on clean cutting board or serving platter. Carefully remove pan and drippings; let cool, then discard. Let chicken stand 5 to 10 minutes. Twist can to remove from chicken; discard can. Serve carved chicken with remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce.
• To bake chicken, place oven rack in lowest position, and heat oven to 375°F. Place prepared chicken on can in lightly sprayed 8-inch square (2-quart) baking dish. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until legs move easily when lifted or twisted and thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads at least 165°F. Brush chicken all over with 1/4 cup of the barbecue sauce. Bake 8 to 12 minutes longer or until skin of chicken is crisp, but not burned. Let chicken stand 5 to 10 minutes. Twist can to remove from chicken; discard can. Serve carved chicken with remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce.