Beer can chicken isn't just a fun, cool way to make a chicken. It is budget friendly, healthy, flavorful, AND moist way to cook a whole chicken! All you have to do is prep the chicken, set the grill and wait! It's that easy, juicy and DELICIOUS!

What's so special about beer can chicken?
This unique cooking method does a few things. The beer on the inside keeps the chicken moist. Using some of the beer to baste the chicken as well carries the unique flavor throughout the meat.
How to make Beer Can CHicken
Special Tools:
- To make beer can chicken, you will need a special beer can rack created just for this. You can purchase one here!*
- This chicken is best on the smoker, but it can be made in any home oven (see instructions for details).
- Chef Tim Clowers BBQ Sauce ships all over the US! Order yours here.
Ingredients you'll need
- 6 lb Whole Chicken
- ½ Lemon
- 1 ⅕ tablespoon Vinegar
- 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 Bay Leaves (crushed)
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
- ½ tablespoon Ginger
- ½ tablespoon Thyme
- 1 tablespoon Garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Pepper
- 1 Can of Beer (and ⅓ Cup for Basting Mixture)
- ⅓ Cup Chef Tim Clowers BBQ Sauce
Instructions for Beer Can Chicken



Step 1 : Squeeze ½ lemon and place vinegar into large bowl with 4-5 cups of water. Rinse chicken in this mixture and be sure to drain as much of the water off of it when done.
Step 2 : Pat the inside and outside of the chicken dry. You may want to let chicken sit up on paper towels to allow all water to drain out.
Step 3 : Coat the chicken with EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) before seasoning. The oil with act as a binder for seasoning.
Step 4 : Coat chicken with seasoning : paprika, ginger, crushed bay leaves, thyme, chili powder, garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper.



Step 5 : Open a can of your favorite beer and place on beer can chicken holder. Then, place chicken over this. For best results, let chicken sit for 30 minutes on counter. (This will lead to an even cook, and no tougher or dry sections of chicken)
Step 6 : While you wait, mix together ⅓ cup Chef Tim Clowers BBQ Sauce and ⅓ cup of your favorite beer for your basting sauce. (You will baste the chicken with this sauce on the smoker after 1 hr)



Step 7 : Use a meat probe in the thickest part of the chicken breast to track temp. Place the chicken in the smoker at 275℉ for 2 hrs and 15 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 165℉. Can also place in the oven at 275℉. Don't forget to baste the chicken at 1 hour.
Step 8 : Once chicken has reached internal temp of 165℉ (at chicken breast), pull the bird off the smoker and let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it. Serve and enjoy!
Video of Beer Can Chicken Recipe
Recipe

Beer Can Chicken
Equipment
- 1 Smoker
- 1 Beer Can Stand These are made specifically for Beer Can Chicken
- 1 Sharp Knife
Ingredients
Chicken Rinse
- 6 lb Whole Chicken
- ½ Lemon
- 1½ tablespoon Vinegar
Chicken Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- ½ tablespoon Ginger
- 3 Bay Leaves Crushed
- ½ tablespoon Thyme
- 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Minced
- 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Pepper
BBQ Sauce / Beer Mixture
- ⅓ Cup Beer
- ⅓ Cup Chef Tim Clowers BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Squeeze ½ lemon and place vinegar into large bowl with 4-5 cups of water. Rinse chicken in this mixture and be sure to drain as much of the water off of it when done.
- Pat the inside and outside of the chicken dry. You may want to let chicken sit up on paper towels to allow all water to drain out.
- Coat the chicken with EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) before seasoning. The oil with act as a binder for seasoning.
- Coat chicken with seasoning : paprika, ginger, crushed bay leaves, thyme, chili powder, garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Open a can of your favorite beer and place on beer can chicken holder. Then, place chicken over this. For best results, let chicken sit for 30 minutes on counter. (This will lead to an even cook, and no tougher or dry sections of chicken)
- Mix together ⅓ cup Chef Tim Clowers BBQ Sauce and ⅓ cup of your favorite beer for your basting sauce. (You will baste the chicken with this sauce on the smoker after 1 hr)
- Use a meat probe in the thickest part of the chicken breast to track temp. Place the chicken in the smoker at 275℉ for 2 hrs and 15 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 165℉. Can also place in the oven at 275℉. Don't forget to baste the chicken!
- Once chicken has reached internal temp of 165℉ (at chicken breast), pull the bird off the smoker and let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Tim Clowers says
This is so flavorful!!