Smoked Beer Can Chicken is the king of all available grilled varieties of chicken. Its crispy skin and juicy, tender inside muscles set perfectly on the taste buds. Despite all the deliciousness, it’s super easy and quick to make.
How Is Smoked Beer Can Chicken Different from BBQ?
Smoked Beer Can Chicken is a classical twist on BBQ. It’s way different than a normal BBQ chicken. You cook it under indirect heat and smoke. Depending on its size, the chicken may be placed inside a can filled with beer for flavor and moisture while cooking.
The amount of time needed for smoking depends on how long the bird needs to smoke – this could take anywhere from a few to several hours, depending on size. Once done, your poultry should be juicy and tender with an irresistibly rich smoky taste.
2 Reasons Why You Must Try Smoked Beer Can Chicken
I can give you a hundred reasons to savor this mouth-watering and appetizing smoked beer can of chicken. To keep it simple and clear-cut, here are two main reasons:
Swoonworthy Deliciousness
Smoking chicken over a Beer Can infuses it with an irresistibly smoky flavor and tenderizes the meat. Additionally, beer adds subtle maltiness and sweetness to the chicken, which perfectly balances out the smokiness. This unique combination is sure to wow your taste buds.
Simple to Prepare
Smoked beer can chicken is surprisingly simple to make. All you need is a grill or smoker, a beer can, and some seasonings. It’s an effortless way to whip up an impressive meal that’s sure to please family and friends alike!
Smoked Beer Can Chicken Recipe: Let’s Cook it!
After provoking your taste buds enough by discussing this toothsome chicken, here is the recipe. Do you what are the basics of every food recipe? Following each step religiously and never missing a single ingredient. So, keenly read the full recipe and cook it yourself.
Equipment
Smoker or Grill: You’ll need a smoker or grill to cook chicken with indirect heat and smoke. You have your pick of charcoal or gas, or invest in an individual smoker for this task.
Wood Chips or Charcoal: To create smoke and heat while smoking chicken, you’ll need wood chips or charcoal. Popular types of wood chips for smoking chicken include apple, cherry, and hickory.
Beer Can or Liquid Container: To hold the liquid and provide stability for the chicken, you’ll need a beer can or another suitable container. You could also use a chicken sitter or vertical roaster.
Meat Thermometer: To guarantee your chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. According to the USDA, cooking chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165oF (75oC).
Poultry Shears or Sharp Knife: To slice cooked chicken into pieces after it has been cooked, you will need either poultry shears or a sharp knife.
Aluminum Foil: You may wish to cover your chicken during cooking, particularly if it turns too dark or dry.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken: Make sure the bird is freshly butchered and is of good quality, 4 to 5 Ibs in weight.
- Beer: You can use any beer as per your likeness or taste. The requirement is only half a can, so ensure you’re using the best taste.
- Seasoning: Chicken needs some spices and sauces to be seasoned so you can savor it at its best. You can opt for what you like. Here are some basic seasonings.
- Dry Rub – mix up the following dry ingredients and create a rub.
- 2 tbsp salt
- 2 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika powder
- ½ cup cayenne pepper
- Wet Marinade – mix up the following ingredients and create a wet marinade.
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
Preparation
- Remove any giblets and neck from the chicken if they are still inside. Rinse with chilled water before drying with paper towels.
- Rub oil all over the chicken using either your hands or a brush; this helps the seasoning stick to the skin while preventing it from sticking to the grates.
- Season the chicken liberally with your rub or wet marinade, both inside and outside. Be sure to get into all crevices, such as wings, legs, and cavities.
- Start by opening the beer or other liquid can and pouring out about half of it, or drinking it, leaving about an inch of liquid inside. You can add your rub or seasoning to this liquid if desired.
- Hold the chicken upright with its cavity facing down and lower it onto a can so that the can goes into the cavity and its legs touch the ground. Adjust both elements if necessary to ensure balance and stability for maximum flavor infusion from beer or other liquid.
Smoking
- Set up your smoker or grill for indirect heat with the drip pan or foil tray in the center and coals or wood chunks on either side. Maintain a temperature of 250 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit; this is ideal for smoking poultry.
- Place the chicken on either a can, drip pan, or foil tray and close the lid. Make sure all vents are open, and your thermometer is working correctly.
- Smoke the chicken for approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on its size and thickness, as well as the temperature of your smoker or grill. As needed, add more coals or wood chunks to maintain heat and smoke. You may also brush on some sauce from pan drippings if desired.
- Test the temperature of your chicken using a meat thermometer, if available, inserted into the thickest part of either the thigh or breast. Make sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to guarantee it’s safe and fully cooked.
- Carefully take the chicken from its can with gloves or tongs and set it aside on a cutting board or platter for about 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the skin to crisp up.
Serve the Delicious Smoked Beer Can of Chicken
- Cut the chicken into desired pieces, such as legs, thighs, wings, breasts, and drumsticks, with a sharp knife or poultry shears. You have the option to remove or keep its skin, depending on your preference.
- Serve the chicken hot, along with your favorite side dishes like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or cornbread. For extra flavor and presentation, garnish the chicken with fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary for presentation.
- Enjoy this succulent and flavorful smoked beer can chicken with your family and friends as you savor its unique summer dish!
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
