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.
, 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!
- 1 whole chicken
- 1 can of beer, I used a big can of Guiness
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 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
- Preheat oven to 425° F / 220° C. Place a roasting pan on a baking dish to prevent making a total mess of your oven.
- Mix all the rub ingredients together.
- Open the can of beer and pour about ¼ of it into the roasting pan and set the can of beer in the center of the roasting pan.
- 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.
- Place the chicken upright over the beer can and drizzle the olive oil over.
- Bake in the oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until golden and cooked through..
Dani says
What size chicken do you use?
Remo says
It was a 4 lbs bird but I have been told size doesn’t matter though.
Alain says
Any size and don’t forget to first rub entire bird withn oil before sprinkling spices the oil will make spices stick to skin
meri says
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
Remo says
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.
scott G says
it is place inside with the beer can open and up right.
Remo says
yup
Janet says
Can I mix all the rub ingredients with butter and then massage the chicken with it?
Remo says
Definitely! You might need to soften it first to some degree.
Earle Prior says
Do you place the seasonings under the skin?
Remo says
Not necessary. 🙂
Korrine says
Do you have to use the Guiness beer or can you use a diffrent kind?
Remo says
You can use any beer you like. 🙂
BethanneF says
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.
Sue says
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.
Remo says
Anytime 🙂
Brian Fraley says
I have to ask, did the plastic nitro ball inside the can melt? If so did it give the chicken an odd flavor?
Remo says
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!
Sasha says
Can you use turkey instead
Jackie says
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.
Gary says
All though beer is very good for this Dr Pepper works just as good
Remo says
Agreed!
Mary says
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
Remo says
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.
Phyllis says
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.
Justin says
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.
Remo says
outstanding!
Shawna M Comeau says
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.
Travis says
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.
Tahja Wickett says
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.
Becky says
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.
Jane Eggestein says
We use to always do it on our grill- the only reason we are not is because it’s to cold out
Dave says
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?
sinlow says
No, the beer can doesn’t melt at all.
Austin says
Maybe you could wrap the top of the can in aluminum foil.
That way it won’t transfer .
Brittany says
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
Remo says
rofl no idea but let me know if it does, other peeps might want to know that too.
Willie says
It works great on the grill. You just have to watch it and check internal temp for done mess.
Sam says
This might sound silly but is the alcohol cooked out? Meaning it’s safe for kids to eat!?! 🙂
Remo says
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.
Lisa says
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.
Susan says
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.
Remo says
or you can use a bundt pan with the same effect 😉
without beer in the house? hmmm How ’bout bourbon?
Patti Adair says
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.
Randy says
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).
Eddy says
With a great compliment from the Netherlands. Man this chicken is heaven. I used Belgium beer.
Jennifer says
You forgot to mention what you do with the oil. I know you rub down chicken with it before you put the spices on. 🙂
Jennifer says
Nevermind. Just saw it. 🙂
Katie says
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. ☺
Terry says
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!
Lo says
Quick question ,can u put the spices in the beer can. That way it will steam through the chicken? Or is better to rub?
Remo says
I always do a rub but give it a try and let me know
Tom says
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
melisa says
Allegeric to rosemary can i sub it with something else?
Remo says
you can just remove it or use whatever agrees with you. this is not chemistry 🙂
Tim says
Tried this tonight and it was delicious, the chicken was so moist. The whole family loved it, we will definitely have it again.
Jessica says
How long for a bird almost 8 lbs
Remo says
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.
Lin says
How do U keep the chicken from falling over/keep it upright?
Kara says
Tried this tonight and my chicken kept falling over. Any tips on what I did wrong to make it stand up? Lol
Remo says
actually we bought a new thing just the other day for making this type of chicken. check this out: https://amzn.to/2XDrSMJ
Brenda Gonzalez says
Thank you for this recipe. I made it tonight for dinner with stuffing and it was amazing! I will certainly make this a lot.
Dan says
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?