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  • Baking Glory

Beer Can Roasted Chicken

9 Apr, 2015

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This tender and juicy chicken is perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices and oven-roasted to a crispy perfection.

So let’s be honest here, this is a funny looking chicken and I can think of so many jokes but it was so damn good in the end, it wasn’t funny anymore. A few years ago my wife and I bought a rotisserie oven, you know the electric kind similar with the one I already linked to and I swear we must have had chicken and quails a few times a week. We loved it that much, I almost became a cornish hen subscriber, the guys from our local grocery store had them ready the moment they would see me coming into the store. Anyway, the problem was that this oven was pretty difficult to clean (add laziness too) and we ended up throwing it away but not before we used it until you couldn’t see the brand name anymore. The history didn’t end here though because we bought another one that after about a year or so, had pretty much the same fate.

Then that was it. I thought we had enough chicken and quail to last us for a lifetime but it wasn’t as simple as that because it was a damn good chicken and though, we bought roasted chicken several times from the grocery store, it didn’t seem to be the same. In the end I decided to look for another option and since I didn’t want to buy another rotisserie oven, I thought I should try to use my oven.

At this point, I remembered my mother used to make something similar, a medium size soup pan half filled with water, covered with a lid that was upside-down and the chicken resting on top of it. Sounds complicated but it wasn’t, the only problem was that chicken wasn’t properly roasted, at least not like mine so I decided to use a beer can and of course, beer instead of water. DUH!

Something magical happens with the chicken, as you cook it, the beer steam is penetrating the meat and creates a super juicy and flavorful bird, way better than just a poor plain roasted animal. The only down side to this is that I had to waste a whole Guinness can in the process but it was worth it. Heck, I’ll just buy more beer!

So folks, if you’ve never cooked chicken this way, I strongly suggest you give this a shot, because it just might be the best chicken you’ve ever had!

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Beer Can Roasted Chicken
Author: CookingGlory
Serves: 4
 
Ingredients
  • 1 whole chicken
  • 1 can of beer, I used a big can of Guiness
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
For the rub
  • 1 tbsp dry oregano
  • 1 tbsp dry rosemary
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425° F / 220° C. Place a roasting pan on a baking dish to prevent making a total mess of your oven.
  2. Mix all the rub ingredients together.
  3. Open the can of beer and pour about ΒΌ of it into the roasting pan and set the can of beer in the center of the roasting pan.
  4. Clean the chicken and remove any giblets if it has any and pat it dry with paper towels. Sprinkle over the rub and use your hands to give it a massage.
  5. Place the chicken upright over the beer can and drizzle the olive oil over.
  6. Bake in the oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until golden and cooked through..
3.2.2925

Filed Under: poultry63 Comments

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Comments

  1. Dani says

    14/04/2015 at 8:30 pm

    What size chicken do you use?

    Reply
    • Remo says

      17/04/2015 at 9:02 am

      It was a 4 lbs bird but I have been told size doesn’t matter though.

      Reply
    • Alain says

      15/05/2017 at 12:22 pm

      Any size and don’t forget to first rub entire bird withn oil before sprinkling spices the oil will make spices stick to skin

      Reply
  2. meri says

    12/12/2015 at 3:10 pm

    This may be a silly question, but Is the beer can placed open side up, into the chicken withb the remaining beer still inside, or is the can emptied and then placed open side down with chicken on top of it

    Reply
    • Remo says

      14/12/2015 at 4:25 pm

      ROFL. Not as silly as you might think. Just open the can of beer, place it onto the pan, do not spill, and insert it into the chickens butt :). Do not drink the beer no matter how hard you want to fight the urge. The beer will boil and the steam will go into the chicken meat and turn it into something amazing.

      Reply
    • scott G says

      13/10/2017 at 3:47 am

      it is place inside with the beer can open and up right.

      Reply
      • Remo says

        24/02/2018 at 12:12 pm

        yup

        Reply
  3. Janet says

    22/12/2015 at 9:27 am

    Can I mix all the rub ingredients with butter and then massage the chicken with it?

    Reply
    • Remo says

      12/01/2016 at 11:56 am

      Definitely! You might need to soften it first to some degree.

      Reply
  4. Earle Prior says

    21/03/2016 at 1:58 pm

    Do you place the seasonings under the skin?

    Reply
    • Remo says

      31/03/2016 at 12:13 pm

      Not necessary. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. Korrine says

    24/03/2016 at 8:45 pm

    Do you have to use the Guiness beer or can you use a diffrent kind?

    Reply
    • Remo says

      31/03/2016 at 12:13 pm

      You can use any beer you like. πŸ™‚

      Reply
    • BethanneF says

      03/10/2017 at 4:12 pm

      I use Angry Orchard Crispy Apple Hard Cider… oh my, the flavor that news into the chicken is just amazing.

      First time we ate this was 4th of July, 2017 in a village town in Mexico. The family actually have a Sunday after church business, where they start early in the morning on big grills and cook on the charcoal pits. They serve with beans and refried beans. I had never had such moist chicken especially even if it was white meat. We cook in the oven.

      Reply
  6. Sue says

    23/04/2016 at 8:17 am

    Cooked this for the first time here in the U K. Don’t think I’ll ever cook chicken any other way.
    This is new to us over here and some of the pubs have just stared serving it. Brillillant and than you.

    Reply
    • Remo says

      22/05/2016 at 3:53 pm

      Anytime πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Brian Fraley says

    13/05/2016 at 10:59 am

    I have to ask, did the plastic nitro ball inside the can melt? If so did it give the chicken an odd flavor?

    Reply
    • Remo says

      22/05/2016 at 3:50 pm

      It was still intact when I took the chicken out of the oven. In fact, there was still beer in the can but you can definitely use a beer without a ball inside. DUH!

      Reply
      • Sasha says

        17/03/2018 at 2:18 pm

        Can you use turkey instead

        Reply
  8. Jackie says

    19/05/2016 at 8:58 am

    I’ve been searching whole chicken recipes all morning. I have only cooked a whole chicken once, in the Crock-Pot. While it was amazing I didn’t want mt chicken to fall apart as soon as it was touched again. I don’t have a rotisserie oven nor a roasting rack. I was about to give up deciding I would give putting it directly on the rack with a pan underneath to catch the juices to try and get a nice roast all over.
    I am so glad I found this! I also admire that you’ve answered everyones questions!!
    Can’t wait to try this.

    Reply
  9. Gary says

    06/06/2016 at 2:32 pm

    All though beer is very good for this Dr Pepper works just as good

    Reply
    • Remo says

      09/06/2016 at 7:33 pm

      Agreed!

      Reply
  10. Mary says

    18/06/2016 at 11:02 pm

    Can I do this beer can chicken on a BBQ? If so, what temp and for how long? Oh, and do I still put the bird and the can on a roasting pan?

    Thanks so much for sharing!
    Mary

    Reply
    • Remo says

      19/06/2016 at 11:44 am

      Never tried it before so you are pretty much on your own. I always found difficult to properly control the heat coming out of my grill but yours might be better than mine but overall, I have no idea if that would work. Give it a shot and let everybody learn from your experience.

      Reply
      • Phyllis says

        11/11/2017 at 5:10 am

        I always do my beer can chicken on the bar b q grill. I also use a foil pan for the drippings for easy cleanup. I put several cloves of garlic in the beer can which just improves the steam flavor that is observed into the chicken. I then put bar b q sauce on the bird. Absolutely perfect.

        Reply
      • Justin says

        14/01/2018 at 1:14 pm

        Yes. Absolutely, you can do this on the BBQ!! I’ve done it a bunch of time over the years. Turns out amazing. Crisp tasty skin an tender moist flavourful meat. I use a Weber with the centre grill turned off keeping the temp at 425F or so for the first 15 min, then reducing to 375F or so for the remainder of time. It usually takes about 45 min for the average bird at these settings.

        Reply
        • Remo says

          24/02/2018 at 12:06 pm

          outstanding!

          Reply
    • Shawna M Comeau says

      09/06/2017 at 12:54 pm

      I’ve always put my beer can chicken in the smoker.. So to answer you question yes you can put it on the BBQ. Like any meat, just check the temps.

      Reply
    • Travis says

      27/06/2017 at 9:46 am

      Honest opinion grill tastes so much better been doing this for years….takes a lot longer on the grill because you don’t want to burn it. A good 2 hours sometimes more around 250. Use more heat burnt the meat. Plus continuous basting every 20 min. But the outcome amazing.

      Reply
    • Tahja Wickett says

      03/10/2017 at 6:02 pm

      Yes. It is amazing on a grill. Just be sure to offset the chicken from the heat and cover with foil if it starts to brown too much.

      Reply
    • Becky says

      13/01/2019 at 6:53 pm

      I use my Weber gas grill for just about everything! I even roast my Thankgiving turkey on my Weber. I did so with this beer can chicken recipe and it comes out amazing! MY Weber has three gas burner tubes. I turn the middle off and put the other two on high. The temperature works out to 425 perfectly. I put my beer can chicken in a roasting pan on the grill, shut the lid and forget about for the required time. It’s yummy delicious! And no mess in your kitchen.

      Reply
    • Jane Eggestein says

      27/01/2019 at 3:48 pm

      We use to always do it on our grill- the only reason we are not is because it’s to cold out

      Reply
  11. Dave says

    06/08/2016 at 10:31 pm

    There has been talk of the art on the beer can disappearing from the cooking process and perhaps going into the chicken. Is this a worry for you and would you think this is safe?

    Reply
    • sinlow says

      23/12/2016 at 3:56 pm

      No, the beer can doesn’t melt at all.

      Reply
    • Austin says

      24/01/2017 at 9:26 pm

      Maybe you could wrap the top of the can in aluminum foil.
      That way it won’t transfer .

      Reply
  12. Brittany says

    17/08/2016 at 9:33 am

    Hey there! Does the recipes still work if I mix the beer in with the dry rub and let it soak into the chicken THEN bake it? Hehe

    Reply
    • Remo says

      18/08/2016 at 10:16 am

      rofl no idea but let me know if it does, other peeps might want to know that too.

      Reply
  13. Willie says

    21/09/2016 at 5:28 pm

    It works great on the grill. You just have to watch it and check internal temp for done mess.

    Reply
  14. Sam says

    07/04/2017 at 3:46 pm

    This might sound silly but is the alcohol cooked out? Meaning it’s safe for kids to eat!?! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Remo says

      24/02/2018 at 12:23 pm

      You can barely feel any alcohol taste and at least half the can was still full…. or half was empty :S
      Still, check the comments above and see that one of the readers suggested water and lemon and other things that I don’t remember.

      Reply
    • Lisa says

      23/03/2018 at 3:06 pm

      I’m sure like anything else cooked with alcohol, that the actual alcohol will cook off. Safe for kiddos, in my opinion. But if uncertain, use dr. Pepper or something else.

      Reply
  15. Susan says

    25/04/2017 at 1:28 pm

    I use an empty vegetable can and put water, lemon juice and some garlic in it. We don’t keep beer cans in the house.

    Reply
    • Remo says

      24/02/2018 at 12:19 pm

      or you can use a bundt pan with the same effect πŸ˜‰
      without beer in the house? hmmm How ’bout bourbon?

      Reply
  16. Patti Adair says

    25/04/2017 at 6:49 pm

    I make this all the time. It’s especially good when I open the top of the beer can and put garlic,lemon, and herbs such as thyme, rosemary or any fresh herb you like into the beer. Just rub the outside with whatever herb mixture and olive oil you like and you will be delighted with the results.

    Reply
  17. Randy says

    30/04/2017 at 10:29 am

    I have done this multiple times on my grill. Never ever had a failure. Always amazing flavor. I am going to try your rub today. Looks like a flavorful combination. At most stores that sell cookware you can find a beer can holder that aids in keeping the beer can and chicken upright. I leave half of the beer in the can (drink the the other half).

    Reply
  18. Eddy says

    27/05/2017 at 4:11 pm

    With a great compliment from the Netherlands. Man this chicken is heaven. I used Belgium beer.

    Reply
  19. Jennifer says

    01/06/2017 at 5:15 pm

    You forgot to mention what you do with the oil. I know you rub down chicken with it before you put the spices on. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      01/06/2017 at 5:20 pm

      Nevermind. Just saw it. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  20. Katie says

    01/10/2017 at 8:39 pm

    I made this tonight and it was the best roast chicken I’ve EVER made! Thanks for the recipe. Its my new go to. Might start making it once a week even. ☺

    Reply
  21. Terry says

    13/10/2017 at 1:54 pm

    I’ve always done beer can chicken on my BBQ, never wanted to try the oven.
    There are holders specifically made to place the beer can in to sturdy it and the chicken still goes onto the can. I also place it on a small round aluminum tray to reduce flare ups.
    If your BBQ is good at holding temperatures you shouldn’t have a problem and I’ll bet it’s better tasting than cooking in the oven!

    Reply
  22. Lo says

    17/10/2017 at 8:44 am

    Quick question ,can u put the spices in the beer can. That way it will steam through the chicken? Or is better to rub?

    Reply
    • Remo says

      24/02/2018 at 12:11 pm

      I always do a rub but give it a try and let me know

      Reply
  23. Tom says

    29/10/2017 at 7:22 am

    Love the receipt. Some added hints:
    Open the top of the beer can to have multiple holes
    Put seasoning in the cavity of the chicken
    Add citrus into the beer, can also add some garlic

    Separate approach you can make a glaze with honey, mustard tamari to add 5 to 10 minutes before it is finished
    Enjoy
    Tom

    Reply
  24. melisa says

    06/11/2017 at 11:30 am

    Allegeric to rosemary can i sub it with something else?

    Reply
    • Remo says

      24/02/2018 at 12:10 pm

      you can just remove it or use whatever agrees with you. this is not chemistry πŸ™‚

      Reply
  25. Tim says

    03/12/2017 at 7:36 pm

    Tried this tonight and it was delicious, the chicken was so moist. The whole family loved it, we will definitely have it again.

    Reply
  26. Jessica says

    21/01/2018 at 12:28 pm

    How long for a bird almost 8 lbs

    Reply
    • Remo says

      24/02/2018 at 12:07 pm

      use a thermometer and look for 165 F at the core. Now the time can be anything, there are many factors to take into account.

      Reply
  27. Lin says

    22/06/2018 at 7:05 pm

    How do U keep the chicken from falling over/keep it upright?

    Reply
  28. Kara says

    21/08/2018 at 3:48 pm

    Tried this tonight and my chicken kept falling over. Any tips on what I did wrong to make it stand up? Lol

    Reply
    • Remo says

      22/04/2019 at 12:25 pm

      actually we bought a new thing just the other day for making this type of chicken. check this out: https://amzn.to/2XDrSMJ

      Reply
  29. Brenda Gonzalez says

    25/10/2018 at 8:39 pm

    Thank you for this recipe. I made it tonight for dinner with stuffing and it was amazing! I will certainly make this a lot.

    Reply
  30. Dan says

    21/11/2018 at 9:13 pm

    Made this tonight. It was delicious and definitely tender. Only the skin on the chicken didn’t get as crispy as I expected. I cooked 3.5 lbs bird at 425 for the first 35 mins, then at 400 for 35 mins as I tossed some other veggies and potatoes to roast.
    Any idea what could help make it crispier?

    Reply

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