Beer can chicken

Beer Can Chicken

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Beer can chicken

Beer can chicken, also known as beer butt chicken, is a popular method of cooking chicken that involves placing a partially filled beer can inside the chicken cavity and grilling it. The steam from the beer helps to keep the chicken moist and infuses it with flavor.

Ingredients

To make beer can chicken, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken
• 1 can of beer (preferably a light beer)
• Dry rub or seasoning of your choice
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Follow these steps to prepare and cook beer can chicken:

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

2. Remove any giblets or excess fat from the chicken cavity. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.

3. Season the chicken with your preferred dry rub or seasoning. Make sure to rub it all over the chicken, including the cavity.

4. Open the beer can and pour out about half of the beer. You can drink it or discard it.

5. Place the beer can on a flat surface and carefully lower the chicken onto the can. The chicken should be in a vertical position with the can inserted into the cavity.

6. Brush the chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

7. Carefully transfer the chicken, with the beer can still inside, onto the preheated grill. Make sure it is stable and won't tip over.

8. Close the grill lid and cook the chicken for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.

9. Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the grill, using oven mitts or tongs. Be cautious as the beer can and chicken will be hot.

10. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before removing the beer can. Carefully lift the chicken off the can and discard the can.

11. Carve the chicken and serve it hot with your favorite side dishes.

Variations

There are several variations of beer can chicken that you can try:

• Flavorful marinades: Instead of using a dry rub, you can marinate the chicken in your favorite marinade for a few hours or overnight before grilling.

• Different beer flavors: Experiment with different beer flavors to add unique tastes to your chicken. Dark beers, fruity beers, or even flavored sodas can be used instead of light beer.

• Vegetable stuffing: Along with the beer can, you can also stuff the chicken cavity with vegetables like onions, garlic, or herbs to enhance the flavor.

Safety Precautions

When cooking beer can chicken, it's important to follow these safety precautions:

• Ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.

• Use oven mitts or tongs to handle the hot chicken and beer can.

• Be cautious when removing the beer can from the chicken, as it may release hot steam.

• Always grill beer can chicken in a well-ventilated area to avoid any potential flare-ups.

See Also

• Grilling
• Barbecue
• Chicken recipes