Beer Can Chicken

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Grill: 1-1/4 hours + standing
Yield 4 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Elevate your grilling game with a beer can chicken recipe. All you need is dried seasonings and a can of your favorite beer to make the most flavorful and moist chicken your grill has ever seen.

Ingredients

  • 4 teaspoons chicken seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 2 lemon slices
  • 1 can (12 ounces) beer or nonalcoholic beer

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Gently loosen skin from the chicken. Brush chicken with oil. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon spice mixture into cavity. Rub the remaining spice mixture over and under the skin. Place lemon slices in neck cavity.
  2. Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Pour out half the beer, reserving for another use. Poke additional holes in top of the can with a can opener. Holding the chicken with legs pointed down, lower chicken over the can so it fills the body cavity.
  3. Place chicken over drip pan; grill, covered, over indirect medium heat until a thermometer reads 180° 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove chicken from grill; cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Remove chicken from can.

Nutrition Facts

7 ounces cooked chicken: 415 calories, 25g fat (6g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 366mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 42g protein.

You'll be proud to serve this stand-up chicken at any family gathering. Treated with a savory rub and then roasted over a beer can for added moisture, it’s so tasty you’ll want to call dibs on the leftovers! —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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