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roasted beer can chicken
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4.52 from 300 votes

Beer Can Chicken

This Beer Can Chicken is incredibly delicious, juicy and moist. This chicken is perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices and baked to a crispy perfection. The steam from the beer creates an unbelievably moist chicken, you'll love it from the very first bite. 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 25 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beer can chicken, oven roasted chicken
Servings: 6
Calories: 374kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 chicken whole, 3 - 4 lb chicken
  • 12 ounce beer can, I've used Sleeman's honey brown, Pilsner, Coor's light
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil

For the rub

Instructions

  • Prepare oven and roasting pan: Preheat oven to 425℉. Place a small roasting pan on a baking dish to prevent making a total mess of your oven.
  • Prepare chicken: Remove any giblets from the chicken if it has any and pat it dry with paper towels.
  • Place beer can on roasting pan: Open the can of beer and pour about 1/4 of it into the roasting pan and set the can of beer in the center of the roasting pan.
  • Prepare spice rub: Mix all the rub ingredients together in a bowl.
  • Season chicken: Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken  and rub it in all over. Sprinkle over the rub and use your hands to massage all the rub into all the nooks and crannies.
  • Place chicken over beer can: Place the chicken upright over the beer can. Use the chicken legs to support its body and it acts like a tripod, preventing the chicken from falling over.
  • Bake: Transfer the roasting pan to the oven. Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until golden and cooked through. To check to see if it's done, insert a knife into the thickest part of the thigh, and the juices should run clear. To properly test if the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check and make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is 165F/75C degrees.
  • Remove chicken from roasting pan: Carefully lift the chicken off the can. To make this easier, have someone else help you remove the chicken while you  hold the beer can.
  • Let the chicken rest and carve: Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and cover with aluminum foil. Let it sit for 15 minutes before carving it.

Video

Notes

  1. Baking time could vary since each oven is different. 
  2. Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  3. Gravy: Don't throw away those pan juices, use them to make a delicious gravy. In a small bowl whisk together 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water. Add this right in the roasting pan and whisk over medium-high heat. Bring to simmer and cook until liquid thickens. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
  4. Nutrition: Nutritional information assumes a 3.5 lb chicken. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 484mg | Potassium: 297mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 830IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1.6mg