Beer can chicken on the grill anyone? Today we’re cooking beer can chicken on the grill.
We’ll talk about what temperature your chicken should be when it’s done and even a few tips I’ve learned along the way!
So let’s fire up the BBQ grill and make beer can chicken!
Also, check out grilled drumsticks and smoked chicken wings.
Grilling Beer Can Chicken
There’s no fancy recipe here, just a good old backyard grill for grilling beer can chicken.
I’m just here to show you how to cook beer can chicken on the grill, not to overwhelm you with some elaborate recipe that no one wants to make.
Here’s how to cook one on your BBQ grill.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, remove the giblets, pat dry
- ½ to ¾ can of your favorite beer or beverage
- Optional: Spices, rub and/or BBQ sauce
You’ll also need
- Disposable tin tray, old metal baking pan lined with tin foil or click below to check out the holders with built in trays…
- Optional: Chicken Stand <- I have one and love it! I really should have got one with a built in tray…
Directions
Preheat the grill to 400 degrees using only 1/2 of the burners, or set up your charcoal for indirect cooking.
Remove the giblets and pat the entire bird dry. Patting the chicken dry will create a nice crispy skin!
Take a few swigs of the beer – you only need 1/2 to 3/4 of a can of beer to grill beer can chicken. Place the can in the chicken stand or center of the pan you’re using.
Straddle the chicken over the beer can and give it a light, but firm press down onto the can. Make adjustments as needed so the bird stands up nicely.
Add rub or seasoning if you wish.
Place chicken and pan on the indirect side of your preheated grill. Do not cook over hot burners or coals.
Close the grill lid and cook the chicken for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, rotate 180 degrees 1/2 way through for even cooking. Grilling time will depend on how big your chicken is an how cold it is coming out of the fridge.
During the last 15-20Â minutes or so, add BBQ sauce if desired.
Chicken is done when thigh meat is cooked to 180 degrees F. and the breast meat is 165 degrees F.
Remove from the grill and rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Beer Can Chicken Tips
Maintain heat between 375 and 450 degrees for best results.
Use whatever flavor beer you like. We used Modelo Especial and Modelo Negra a few times and it’s great! We also like to use apple flavored drinks, which gives the chicken a fun flavor.
If you have bottled beer, simply pour the beer into any soda pop or leftover beer can and you’re set to go!
Non-Alcoholic Variation
Make this a non-alcoholic version (not that any alcohol is imparted into the chicken anyway), but you can use sodas or other drinks, too!
Basically you can use any drink in a can for this chicken. Choose something you like and give it a try! Maybe you’ll like the subtle hint of grape soda in your chicken. Try everything once!
Beer Can Chicken In The Oven
To make beer can chicken in the oven, use the same method.
Move the oven rack down to the middle-low position, not the bottom rack but the one just above it.
Cook the chicken just like we do on the grill and it will come out fantastic!
It’s that simple to make beer can chicken on the grill using a beer or soda can!
You might also like:
- Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Chunky apple beer BBQ sauce
- Beer Caddy – DIY Beer Caddy Wood Project
- How To Grill Chicken Legs
- How To Grill Drumsticks
- Chicken Taco Soup
Beer Can Chicken On The Grill
Equipment
- Grill
- Tin pan
- Beer can holder; optional
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken remove the giblets sack
- 3/4 can Beer
- 1/4 cup BBQ rub rub and spices optional
Instructions
- Preheat grill to 400 degrees using 1/2 of the burners or setting up your charcoal for indirect cooking.
- Remove giblets and pat dry for crispy skin.
- In a tin pan, straddle chicken over a 3/4 full can of beer and give it a nice light, but firm press down onto the can. Make any adjustments to the bird stands up nicely.
- Add rub or seasoning if you wish.
- Place chicken in pan on preheated grill.
- Close grill lid and cook for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, rotate 180 degrees 1/2 way through for even cooking.
- During the last 15-20 minutes or so, add BBQ sauce if desired.
- Chicken is done when thigh meat is cooked to 180 degrees F. and breast meat is 165 degrees F.
- Remove from grill, rest 10 minutes before carving.
Video
Notes
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We love grilling beer can chicken. Let me know how much you loved making this!