Best Herb And White Wine Beer Can Chicken Recipes

WINE CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Take the chicken and wine out of the fridge and allow to come room temperature, 15 to 30 minutes.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high indirect heat: For gas grills (with 3 or more burners), turn all the burners to medium-high heat; after about 15 minutes turn off one of the middle burners (2 if you have a grill with 4 or more burners). For charcoal grills, bank one chimney starter-full of lit and ashed-over charcoal briquettes to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side to avoid flare-ups. The grill should be around 400 degrees F so adjust the burners or air-flow vents as necessary to maintain that temperature. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer's guide for the best results.)
• Combine the olive oil, oregano, rosemary leaves, thyme leaves, garlic and 2 teaspoons salt in a food processor and purée into a paste.
• Open the wine and pour off 1/3 cup for another use. Tuck the rosemary and thyme sprigs into the can. Rub the chicken all over, including the cavity, with the garlic-herb paste. Place the wine can on a baking sheet. Place the cavity of the chicken onto the wine can so the can is holding up the chicken and its legs act as a stabilizer. Carefully transfer the chicken and can onto the indirect side of the grill. Close the lid and grill until the chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees F, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Carefully remove the chicken and can from the grill and gently pull the chicken off the can. Tent the chicken with aluminum foil. Pour the remaining wine (about 1 cup) into a small saucepan. Add the peppercorns and set on the direct heat side of the grill. Bring to a boil and reduce by half, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cheese until smooth.
• Serve the chicken with the sauce.

BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• If making the rub:
• Combine all the ingredients in a jar, twist the lid on airtight, and shake to mix. Store away from heat or light for up to six months. Makes about 1/2 cup. Enough for 4 to 6 racks of ribs.
• Remove and discard the fat just inside the body cavities of the chicken. Remove the package of giblets, and set aside for another use. Rinse the chicken, inside and out, under cold running water, then drain and blot dry, inside and out, with paper towels. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the rub inside the body and neck cavities, the rub another 1 tablespoon all over the skin of the bird. If you wish, rub another 1/2 tablespoon of the mixture between the flesh and the skin. Cover and refrigerate the chicken while you preheat the grill.
• Set up the grill for indirect grilling (see below) placing a drip pan in the center. If using a charcoal grill, preheat it to medium.
• If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips in the smoker box and preheat the grill to high; then, when smoke appears, lower the heat to medium.
• Pop the tab on the beer can. Using a "church key" style can opener, make 6 or 7 holes in the top of the can. Pour out the top inch of beer, then spoon the remaining dry rub through the holes into the beer. Holding the chicken upright, with the opening of the body cavity down, insert the beer can into the cavity.
• When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss half the wood chips on the coals. Oil the grill grate. Stand the chicken up in the center of the hot grate, over the drip pan. Spread out the legs to form a sort of tripod, to support the bird.
• Cover the grill and cook the chicken until fall-off-the-bone tender, 2 hours. If using charcoal, add 10 to 12 fresh coals per side and the remaining wood chips after 1 hour.
• Using tongs, lift the bird to a cutting board or platter, holding the metal spatula underneath the beer can for support. (Have the board or platter right next to the bird to make the move shorter. Be careful not to spill hot beer on yourself.) Let stand for 5 minutes before carving the meat off the upright carcass. (Toss the beer can out along with the carcass.)

CHICKEN WITH WHITE WINE, ONIONS AND HERBS

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook 2 chopped onions with 2 tablespoons butter and some salt and pepper until the onions soften, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add the chicken, 1 cup white wine, 2 bay leaves and several sprigs of thyme and parsley. When the liquid boils, lower heat to a simmer; cover and cook chicken for 10 to 15 minutes or until tender and just cooked through.
• Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm. Turn heat to high and boil the mixture until it is reduced by three-quarters; it should be fairly thick.
• Lower heat, stir in 2 tablespoons butter and return the chicken to the pan to reheat and coat with sauce.
• Adjust seasoning. Garnish: Chopped fresh thyme.