Introduction: BeerCan Chicken
How to make Beer Can Chicken on the BBQ.
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Need beer in cans; whole chicken; dry BBQ seasoning; any other spices you can think of; I use disposable aluminum pie plates but improvise if you have to. Hardest part of this recipe is to drink only HALF of a can of beer. Then top up the can with spices. I used hot sauce, soyo sauce, worcestershire, vinegar, black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and montreal steak spice. Then shove the can up the arse of the chicken and sit it in the pie plate.
Step 2: Stuff the Chicken
Then I stuff some quartered onion down the neck and plug the neck with a sausage. Sprinkle the dry BBQ seasoning over the skin and some Savoury seasoning. Light one side of your BBQ on low-med and place the whole thing carefully on the unlit side. (In this case I was doing two chickens so I lit both sides on low). I had boiled a kettle full of water beforehand, and poured about an inch of water in the pans once on the BBQ.
Step 3: Cook It
If your BBQ is big enough; close the lid. I had a smaller one before and closed the lid as much as possible propping it open with a rock. Basically let it cook while drinking the rest of the beer. About every 20 mins baste the chicken with the juices in the pie plates (I use a turkey baster); and turn the plate 1/4 turn when you do. It'll take about 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours to do but that really depends on your BBQ, cooking skills, etc.
I cannot take credit for this as I learned it from friends but was surprised it wasn't on here already. The kids love the recipe and it makes quite a tasty and fun BBQ meal. Enjoy.
20 Comments
10 years ago on Introduction
Where I'm from this is called Drunk Chicken lol
10 years ago on Step 3
I know there's a "be nice" policy, but I HAVE to say it. Where's the finished product? I think you need to put a few more pictures up and a more "Point A to Point B" sort of feel to it.
You need to show how it turns out! Let's see the rock you used to prop up the bbq lid, show us what basted, roasted, beer-steamed chicken looks like in your neck of the woods!
16 years ago on Introduction
Rename this to Beer Butt Chicken and you'll multiply the hits on this project.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
i lold
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Totally agree.
15 years ago on Introduction
I added this comment to someone else beer can chicken page. Try using liquids other than beer. I recommend JUMEX peach nectar. I also use some extra juice to make a complementing BBQ sauce to baste on the birds while they are on the grill. It really adds an extra touch to the whole thing. Also with all the concern about aluminum cans and paint, I use a mason jar. They can withstand the heat and are heavy enough to help keep the chicken upright.
15 years ago on Introduction
While chicken cooked with beer does taste better, I think that cooking a chicken with a hunk of aluminum, plastic, and paint up its butt wouldn't really improve the taste. Why not just pour the beer into the pan.
16 years ago on Introduction
You might want to know that aluminum cans are coated on the inside with plastic to keep the contents from corroding the aluminum. When you heat this up, the plastic melts and mixes with the contents of the can. I'm assuming that the contents then boil, which would release a plastic vapor into the chicken. I also would like to point out that the paint on the outside of a can is not entirely heat proof either. I'm not sure exactly what chemicals are in the paint but I'm sure it's not healthy either.
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
If you're worried about that, just use a can from green beans or something with the paper removed. I'm not sure about using a beer bottle. I'm not sure if the heat from the grill would be enough to shatter the glass... but that would also eliminate the worries about plastic and paint fumes.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
A lot of vegetable cans also have a plastic lining, usually white colored.
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
But aluminium doesnt corrode?
16 years ago on Introduction
I use 1/2 size S.S. steam table pans for Beer Butt Chicken and also for drip pans. The 2 in. work the best and you can find them at Flea markets and auctions for $5 ea.
16 years ago on Introduction
So the beer & spice mix boils, flavouring and moisturising the bird? Do you get any of the exterior paint/laquer sticking to your chicken, or burning? L
16 years ago on Introduction
OK, here's my wifes rub recipe: 1/4 cup paprika 2 Tablespoons granulated garlic 2 Tablespoons granulated onion 2 Teaspoons peppercorns 1 Teaspoon dry mustard 1 Teaspoon chili powder 2 Tablespoons toasted cumin seed 3 Tablespoons toasted coriander seed 1/4 cup Kosher salt 1/4 cup brown sugar Combine all ingrediants in a clean coffee grinder and grind to a powder, then rub on damp chicken and do the beer can thing. Hope someone likes it as much as i do. Store in a air tight container in the fridge. My wife got this off Food Network (give credit where it's due)
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
Looks good , cooking chicken for lots of people this weekend going to try it on a spit .....and with the beer can if I can find one after everyone shows up
16 years ago on Introduction
My wife makes this rub for the chicken, kinda spicy, not sure whats all in it i'll put the recipe up if anyones interested.We also use rootbeer instead of beer my wife hates beer and thinks rootbeer gives a sweeter flavor. Not sure if that's true but i can't drink anymore so why argue?
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
We like spicy- send along the recipe!
16 years ago on Introduction
We call them beer butt chickens. They are great with really dark beers. And coke is good too. LMAO at the sausage sentances as well.
16 years ago on Introduction
My dad makes these sometimes, they're great
16 years ago on Introduction
They look so cute in the pans!
BTW: "plug the neck with a sausage" = funniest thing evar!