This moist & delicious beer can chicken recipe is super easy to make & only requires 5 ingredients. A perfect weeknight chicken dinner for the whole family
Juicy Beer Can Chicken Recipe
Save this recipe in your bookmark because it will become part of your weekly rotation. Choose to roast it on the grill or in an oven. Both methods are included in the recipe card at the bottom.
The meat stays juicy and tender with a nice crispy skin on the outside. The beer keeps the bird moisturized while infusing it with flavor.
Do not worry about the alcohol content and kids. The alcohol evaporates during the cooking process. You can use soda and root beer as a substitute if you don’t have any beer on hand.
If you’d prefer, use soda and root beer as a substitute if you don’t have any beer on hand.
The beauty of this Beer Can Chicken Recipe is that the chicken cooks on a standing position, therefore, it cooks on all sides evenly and the since the skin is not touching liquid, it crisps up in the most delicious way.
You can season the bird any way you want.
If you like tons of spices use smoked paprika and cumin.
I like mine more aromatic and used thyme. Other herbs I recommend is sage and rosemary.
Serve this with some steamed veggies and dinner is served!
I originally posted this recipe on December 11, 2013.
Yikes! Time has flown by.
I am re-introducing this beer can chicken with prettier pictures taken with a real camera, not my iPhone :).
Here’s an old picture of the process.
The chicken is on the grill doing a happy dance!
My favorite part about this dish: it does not require babysitting, basting, or stirring.
Just leave on and read a book in the meantime.
Yeah right! Who am I kidding?
Go scream at your kids to do their homework, take a shower and clean up their room. Remind hubby to fix that broken lightbulb in the garage, fold up the laundry that has been in the basket for the last 3 days.
Now back to the book…..
Bing! Too late, the chicken is ready.
I hope you can try this delicious Beer Can Chicken Recipe at home. If you do, please upload a pic on Instagram and tag me @Livingsweetmoments or use the hashtag #LivingSweet. I promise to repost it.
Beer Can Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 5 lb. Whole Roasting or Fryer Chicken
- 2 teaspoons Dried Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
- 12 oz Beer Can
- Salt + Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove the giblets and rinse the chicken inside and out
- Pat dry with a paper towel including the inside cavity
- Rub the chicken with the oil and add the seasonings. To release a little more flavor, rub the thyme in between the palm of your hands, before adding it to the chicken
- Add salt and pepper to taste. Including the cavity
- Empty half of the beer in the can (or drink it)
- Grabbing the chicken legs in each hand push the bird cavity over the beer can. The can should stand by itself
Grill Method
- Place the bird on the grill
- If using a gas grill, turn on half of the burners and cover. If you're using a gas grill, set the HOT coals aside. The bird will cook better with indirect heat.
- Depending on the size of the chicken it will take about 60- 75 minutes to cook. Internal temperature should be 165 F.
- Remove from the grill and let it rest for about 5- 10 minutes before carving
Oven Method
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Place the beer can chicken in a baking pan or pyrex
- Bake for 60-80 minutes to cook. Internal temperature should be 165 F.
- If the chicken is browning too fast, cover with tin foil and uncover the last 15 minutes of baking
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
You may also like:
Rosemary Roasted Chicken with Applesauce
Chicken with Plum Orange Sauce
You have made such a damn good meal..problem is I haven’t drank alcohol since my dad died in 1993…could you recommend a subsite…….what if I said Please?
Well the alcohol is basically evaporated during the cooking process you can certainly substitute for any bubbling drink like Root Beer.
You don’t need beer. I have used gingerale, sprite, and even water. You just need moisture
Thanks for letting me know Shannon! I’ll definitely try it with Ginger Ale!
I can’t believe I’ve never tried beer can chicken. You have inspired me to drink beer and grill chicken. 😉 Thank you for sharing this with us at Treasure Box Tuesday- I am pinning to try ASAP! 🙂
lol Joy!! Let me know how it comes out!
Hi Tiffany, I just wanted to let you know that I will be featuring your Beer Can Chicken this Sunday @ Inspiration Monday Party! Thanks for sharing with us, I hope to see you there!! ~ Julie redheadcandecorate.com
Thanks so much Julie! what an honor!
I have wanted to try this forever. yours looks amazing, and I love that you used thyme! I can’t wait to try this out! I would love if you would stop by and share this post at my blog party, Celebrate It! It’s all about celebrating the everyday things we do!
http://thefreshmancook.blogspot.com/2014/10/celebrate-it-blog-party-12.html
Hope to see you there!
Hi Teri! I will definitely will stop by! Thanks so much for liking the recipe. Hope you can try it at home and let me know how it comes out! 🙂
i heard of chicken being cooked this way but never tried. i am somehow afraid of it!
thank you for linking up ith the #pinitparty
Thanks so much for stopping by!
thank you for linking up with the #pinitparty but this doesn’t look like a recipe to do with parents. do comeback and linkup with my #foodiefriday next week as there is no theme or this week with sweet recipes
I don’t have a regular size beer , I have a smaller can that they sale do I still pour off half of the beer
Hi Cheryl! You can pour 1/4 of the beer then