Beer Can Chicken

This delicious, juicy Beer Can Chicken on your grill is so easy! Plus, it’s great to make on the weekend and use it for meal prep, too. The chicken is seasoned with a homemade rub then grilled on top of a beer can. The chicken has a crispy, seasoned skin and is tender and delicious.

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Now does this look tasty or what? Let me tell you we LOVE Beer Can Chicken on the grill! It was all we could do not pull that crispy skin right off the chicken. It starts with a delicious homemade Chicken Rub and then it is grilled until perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!

why you’ll love this recipe

• All you need is seasoning, beer and a whole chicken! Just 3 ingredients for a perfectly crispy and juicy bird.
• This is a great way to cook chicken for meal prep at the beginning of the week.
• You can easily grill your side dishes while you are grilling the chicken to save time in the kitchen.

ingredients for grilled beer can chicken

• Chicken Rub – Our homemade chicken rub is made with a mix of brown sugar, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and ground oregano. You can also buy this chicken rub to have on hand any time you need it!
• Beer – Whatever you have on hand is perfect, this doesn’t have to be anything fancy. If you don’t want to use beer you can use ginger ale, citrus soda or even root beer.
• Whole chicken – A 3-4 pound whole chicken is what we used.

how to make beer can chicken

1. Mix all dried spices in a small bowl.
2. Prepare chicken by rinsing under cold running water, drain and pat dry.
3. Fit whole chicken over the open can of beer with the legs on the bottom; keeping upright, as pictured.
4. Sprinkle seasoning mix into the top cavity of the chicken.
5. Generously rub the spice mix in between the skin and meat of the chicken to season. Next rub the remaining seasoning mix over the entire surface of the chicken.
6. Empty or drink half of the beer.
7. Place the chicken, standing on the can, directly on the preheated grill using indirect heat.
8. Close the lid and grill until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear.
9. 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 before slicing.

how to serve beer can chicken

A family favorite is to add sliced grilled chicken to grilled caesar salad with seasoned potatoes on the side. My favorite grilled asparagus makes the perfect combo!

It’s so convenient to cook a whole meal on the grill. Speaking of which, if you haven’t tried our grilled bacon wrapped asparagus yet, you’ve got to add that to your meal plan this week!

We also love to serve a whole chicken with smoked stuffing and grilled cauliflower steaks.

Storage and Reheating

Fridge: Store cooled grilled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I recommend slicing the meat off of the one for easy storage and convenience when you want to eat some leftovers.

Freezer: You can freeze cooked chicken to use another time. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in a freezer safe, airtight container or zip top bag. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheat leftover grilled chicken covered on the stove top or in the microwave. Add a bit of water to avoid drying out your meat.

This will be juiciest meat and crispiest skin you will ever have in a chicken. I know you are going to love grilling your bird this way all summer long!

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5 from 7 votes

Beer Can Chicken

This delicious, juicy chicken on your grill is so easy! The perfectly seasoned, crispy chicken with tender, juicy meat grilled on a beer can.

Prep:15 minutes mins

Cook:1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total:1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

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Video

6

Equipment

• Beer can chicken holder
• Meat Thermometer
• Grill

Ingredients

• ▢ 3 pound whole chicken
• ▢ 1 batch BBQ Chicken Rub
• ▢ 1 can beer

Instructions

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high indirect heat, about 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a small bow,l mix together the BBQ Chicken rub or use your favorite premade chicken rub.
• Rinse chicken under cold running water. Discard giblets and neck from chicken; drain and pat dry. Pour out or drink half. of the can of beer. Fit whole chicken over the can of beer with the legs on the bottom; keep upright. I recommend using this chicken rack also! Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of seasoning into the top cavity.
• Gently lift the skin from the chicken. Generously rub the chicken rub in between the skin and meat of the chicken to season well. Next rub the remaining seasoning mix over the entire surface of the chicken.
• Place the chicken, standing on the can, directly on the preheated grill on the "cool side" to cook using indirect heat. Close the lid and barbecue the chicken until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 hour 15 minutes. We recommend not checking the grill for the first hour so the heat stays in.
• 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 for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 234kcal (12%), Protein: 20g (40%), Fat: 16g (25%), Saturated Fat: 4g (25%), Cholesterol: 81mg (27%), Sodium: 76mg (3%), Potassium: 205mg (6%), Vitamin A: 150IU (3%), Vitamin C: 1.7mg (2%), Calcium: 12mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

© Gimme Some Grilling ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.

more great grilled chicken recipes

• If you are feeding a crowd at a cook out, Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs are a must! Garlicky and perfectly cheesy, they are finger lickin’ good!
• Perfectly juicy chicken with flavorful Italian dressing make Italian Grilled Chicken Breasts the perfect dish for a nutritious and delicious dinner.
• Zesty lime and fragrant cilantro have Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken bursting with fresh flavors. This is a must-try!
• Caesar Grilled Chicken Breasts offer a savory blend of Caesar dressing and grilled chicken, creating a mouthwatering meal with a rich, creamy flavor.