Beer Can Chicken

Delicious rotisserie chicken, often called Beer Can Chicken, can be made right on your barbeque grill, or in a smoker, oven, or solar oven. When we first started making chicken this way, nearly 20 years ago, a can was essential to the cooking process.  The can is used to support the chicken in an upright position so the fat will drain off,  allowing the skin to remain dry and to cook golden brown and crispy. Since we don’t drink beer, we used a cola can.  These days there are really good  Beer can chicken roaster pans and other chicken holders that hold the chicken upright without the use of a can. Yet the name lingers on.  Here is our moist tender roasting chicken recipe.

Thaw a chicken. Rinse and pat dry. Lightly oil the bird and then season it with salt and pepper or your favorite dry rub. We use a variety of different rubs.

Use any type of beer/cola/water/fruit juice that you like.  To prepare the can, wash and dry it well. Be sure to open the can and pour out about half of the contents, and save for use in a marinade. Poke extra holes in the top of the can to allow the steam to escape, which keeps the bird moist and adds flavor.  I particularly like using orange pineapple juice in the small can with Cornish hens. Being careful not to spill the liquid, place the chicken upright on the can or holder.  Tuck the wings behind the back and pull the legs away from the chicken to form a tripod to keep it from tipping over.To prepare the grill, either a gas or charcoal grill will do. Be certain that the lid to the grill will close over the upright bird. Pre-heat the grill to 350°. The best method is an in-direct heat method. So light only one side of the grill, but place the chicken on the other side, again taking care not to spill the liquid. If cooking in your oven, be sure to place the can into a safe oven dish. Lower the lid over the chicken. Bake for about an hour until the skin is crispy golden brown and the breast reaches an internal temperature of 180°.

Carefully remove the bird from the grill using hot pads, being careful not the spill the remaining contents of the can. Let the bird stand for 5 – 7 minutes. Then carefully remove the bird from the can, again taking care not the spill the hot liquid on yourself. Dispose of the can and the remaining liquid.Now you have a delicious Beer Can Chicken. Enjoy!!