This is the best beer can grilled chicken. Chicken is seasoned perfectly and turns out exceptionally tender and juicy, even the breast meat.
I also offer an outstanding rotisserie chicken recipe below.
Best Beer Can Grilled Chicken
3-1/2 to 4 pound whole chicken, cleaned and patted dry
olive oil, to rub outside of chicken
1 tsp vinegar, mixed with the above olive oil to rub chicken
1 can of beer (12oz)
Basic Grilling Rub:
1/4 cup homemade brown sugar
3 TBS freshly ground black pepper
3 TBS kosher or ground sea salt
2 TBS paprika
2 tsp homemade garlic powder
2 tsp homemade onion powder
1 tsp homemade cayenne pepper
Mix the above ingredients together thoroughly, or you can shake them together in a resealable bag. Set aside.
Barbecue Sauce:
1 cup Coca-Cola
1 cup homemade ketchup
1/3 cup homemade worcestershire sauce
3 TBS homemade steak sauce
2 TBS homemade brown sugar
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 tsp homemade garlic powder
1 tsp homemade onion powder
Place all of the ingredients into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat and simmer sauce for approximately 8-10 minutes. Set aside.
Time to light the grill. Set up the gas grill for indirect grilling, and heat to medium. (If you are using a charcoal grill, put a drip pan in the center and place coals around it.)
Measure 2 tsp of the basic grilling rub and sprinkle inside of the bird cavity. Cut tiny slits in the chicken skin and rub with olive oil and vinegar. Sprinkle the outside of the bird with another 2 tsp of the rub.
Pull the tab off the beer can and poke a few holes in the top of the can. Pour out 1/2 of the beer (or drink it), and if there is any rub left – pour that into the remaining half can of beer. It may foam but that is normal.
Place the chicken over the beer can and in the hot grill, stand the bird directly over the drip pan – spreading the legs of the bird to form a tripod.
Cover the grill and cook the chicken until the skin is a dark crispy golden brown; and the meat is 175 degrees – which is approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours. If you are using charcoal, you will need to add 12 fresh coals per side after one hour.
Just before the grilled chicken is done, brush with the barbecue sauce and cover the grill for 3 minutes or until the sauce is hot. Take the chicken off the grill (BE CAREFUL – BEER IN CAN IS HOT) and let it rest 10 minutes.
Remove the can and carve the chicken. Use the additional bbq sauce when serving. I think this is an awesome beer can grilled chicken recipe.