Beer Can Chicken is just as amazing as it sounds! A whole chicken is coated in the best beer can chicken seasoning and grilled to tender, juicy perfection using – you guessed it – a can of beer. You’ll be obsessed with this easy grilled chicken recipe all summer long!
What’s in This Beer Can Chicken Recipe?
You just need some oil, a can of beer, and our favorite beer can chicken seasoning for this recipe.
- Seasoning: We made this tasty beer can chicken seasoning with paprika, salt, black pepper, onion powder, dried thyme, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Chicken: We used a 4-pound whole chicken for this recipe, but anywhere from 3.5-5 pounds will work.
- Oil: We like olive oil, but avocado also works.
- Beer: Keeps the chicken super moist. We used an IPA but use whatever beer you have on hand. There’s no need to use a fancy beer because it’s only steaming the meat, not marinating it.
Variations on Beer Can Chicken on The Grill
The purpose of the beer can is to steam and cook the chicken from the inside, which helps keep it nice and juicy. But a 12-ounce can of soda or juice works just fine instead. A vegetable or bean can will also work. Remove the label before cooking, and bring the chicken juice-soaked veggies or beans to a boil on the stovetop at the end to make a tasty side.
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How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover beer can chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Remove the meat from the bones and let cool fully before storing.
How to Freeze
Freeze leftover beer can chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Remove the meat from the bones and let cool fully before storing.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
We don’t recommend using a chicken larger than 5 pounds because the beer can may not be able to adequately support a bigger bird. We also think that this recipe makes the perfect amount of beer can chicken seasoning for a bird from 3.5-5 pounds!
Beer Can Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground paprika
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste
- 1 whole chicken about 4 pounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 ounces beer room temperature (1 can)
Instructions
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, thyme, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.2 tablespoons ground paprika, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, ½-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then rub the olive oil over the whole chicken and under the skin. Sprinkle the seasoning over the whole thing.1 whole chicken, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Pour out half of the beer, then lower the chicken over the top of the half-full beer can. Place the chicken in the center of the hot grill and close the lid. Cook the chicken for 1 hour, undisturbed, then check the temperature every 15 minutes after until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F.12 ounces beer
- Carefully transfer the chicken and can to a baking tray, cover loosely with foil, and rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Notes
- Be sure to empty some of the beer from the can, it should be half full when you place on the chicken.
- We love this mix of herbs and spices, but you can use other seasoning mixes if you like.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking for at least 10 minutes. This will help to make it extra juicy and flavorful.
How to Make Beer Can Chicken Step by Step
Preheat the Grill: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
Make the Beer Can Chicken Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of ground paprika, 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon of onion powder, 2 teaspoons of dried thyme, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, and ½-1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Season the Chicken: Pat a 4-pound whole chicken chicken dry with paper towels, then rub 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the whole chicken and under the skin. Sprinkle the seasoning over the whole thing.
Grill the Chicken: Pour out half of a 12-ounce beer, then lower the chicken over the top of the half-full beer can. Place the chicken in the center of the hot grill and close the lid. Cook the chicken for 1 hour, undisturbed, then check the temperature every 15 minutes after until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F. Carefully transfer the chicken and can to a baking tray, cover loosely with foil, and rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Yes, this method for cooking chicken is perfectly safe!
While we love beer, just about anything that comes in a can will work here. Soda, juice, or even canned veggies make a great substitute.
To get the chicken to stand up, hold the chicken upright with the legs pointing down, place the opened beer can deep in the cavity, and use the chicken’s legs to support it like a tripod. It may take a little bit of adjustment to get the balance right!
Absolutely! Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the seasoned beer can chicken in a large roasting pan. Bake the chicken until the juices run clear and the breasts register 165°F, about 65 minutes.
Can I use this recipe but bake in oven instead of grill?
I have not tried it that way!