Beer-Can Chicken Is Summer Barbecue at Its Best

yumsugar ^ | 07/24/2009 | partysugar

[JoeProBono]

Although this delectable chicken looks like he's running away, he's actually perched atop a beer can! Grilling chicken on an aluminum can is an excellent way to ensure that the meat stays moist and succulent. While it cooks, the beer evaporates and flavors the chicken's inside cavity. There's lots of ways to season the outside of a beer-can chicken, but I think the most satisfying is a classic spicy-sweet barbecue rub with a finger-licking good homemade sauce. My dad has a metal can holder that makes grilling a little easier, however, this tool is not necessary: one can cook the chicken on the can alone. To learn the technique to this campfire favorite, read more.

[JoeProBono]

Beer Can Chicken From Steven Raichlen

Ingredients

1 (12-ounce) can beer

1 (31/2 to 4 pound) chicken

2 tablespoons Basic Barbecue Rub, recipe follows

2 cups barbecue sauce

4 to 6 cups hickory or apple wood chips, soaked for 1 hour in water to cover, drained

Directions

1.Pop the tab off the beer can. Using a church key style can opener, make a few more holes in the top of the can. Pour out half the beer into the soaking water of the wood chips. Set the can of beer aside.

2.Set up the grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium. If using a charcoal grill, place a large drip pan in the center. If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips in the smoker box or in a smoker pouch and preheat the grill to high until you see smoke, then reduce the heat to medium.

3.Remove the packet of giblets from the body cavity of the chicken and set aside for another use. Remove and discard the fat just inside the body and neck cavities. 4.Rinse the chicken, inside and out, under cold running water, drain, and blot dry inside and out with paper towels.

5.Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of the rub inside the body and neck cavities of the chicken. Rub the bird all over on the outside with 2 teaspoons of the rub. If you have the patience, you can put some of the rub under the skin being careful not to tear it.

6.Spoon the remaining 2 teaspoons of rub through the holes into the beer in the can. Don't worry if it foams up, this is normal. Insert the beer can into the body cavity of the chicken and spread out the legs to form a sort of tripod. Tuck the wing tips behind the chicken's back.

7.When ready to cook, if using a charcoal grill, toss all the wood chips on the coals. Stand the chicken up in the center of the hot grate, over the drip pan and away from the heat. Cover the grill and cook the chicken until the skin is a dark golden brown and very crisp and the meat is cooked to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F, about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 12 fresh coals per side after 1 hour.

8.Using tongs, carefully transfer the chicken in its upright position on the beer can to a platter and present it to your guests. Let rest 5 minutes, and then carefully remove the chicken from the beer can. Take care not to spill the hot beer and burn yourself. Quarter or carve the chicken and serve with barbecue sauce.

Serves 4.

Basic Barbecue Rub: 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/4 cup sweet paprika 3 tablespoons ground black pepper 3 tablespoons kosher or sea salt 1 tablespoon hickory salt 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon cayenne powder

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir to blend together. Store the rub in an airtight jar away from heat or light and it will keep for at least 6 months.

[mnehring]

I love it, but don’t make the mistake a friend did and try beer bottle chicken. Fell over, bottle shattered, fire flared up when the beer spilled.. all while the cover to the grill was closed and he was inside. When he came back out, the chicken was a piece of glass filled charcoal.

[HollyB]

BBQ ping

[genetic homophobe]

If you don’t have a holder, be sure to use a tall boy. The 16 ouncer will make a tripod with the legs, and she won’t fall over.

[mnehring]

all while the cover to the grill was closed and he was inside.

OK, before anyone laughs.. he wasn't inside the grill.. inside the house so he didn't see or smell all this happening.

[UB355]

I’ve varied the liquid, instead of beer I’ve used various wines. Very tasty

[Flycatcher]

In the last week, this could be the third or fourth reference to "beer can chicken" I've read about. Prior to that, I've never heard of such a thing.

Is there any other weird current popular trend I should know about?

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

Nah...

[manic4organic]

I’m sad to say that photo reminds me of Barney Frank.

[Chasaway]

Add some Alligator Eggs and you've got something perfect...

[JoeProBono]

PRIMER

"

[annieokie]

That picture is very funny. Caption time!!!!!!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

1.Pop the tab off the beer can. Using a church key style can opener, make a few more holes in the top of the can. Pour out half the beer into the soaking water of the wood chips.

I always preferred the instructions that started, "Open the can and drink half the beer..."

[listenhillary]

[Oshkalaboomboom]

Pampered Chef sells a holder for beer can chicken.

[mel]

Brt

[mel]

Brt

[mel]

Brt

[windcliff]

LOL