Smoked Beer Can Chicken
It's been so rainy by us lately and while I'm not super interested in sitting outside and grilling while the weather isn't great - smoking is a totally low effort option! This Smoked Beer Can Chicken was rubbed with a variety of spices like paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and herbs. It was smoked for several hours, then finished off at a higher temp for the most delicious, crispy skin. I lathered a garlic butter all over this and we dug right in. This was so tasty, and I love how versatile it is too. Have it with mashed potatoes, air fried potatoes, a yummy side salad. This whole smoky chicken gives all the summer BBQ vibes.
Equipment
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 5 lbs. Whole Chicken neck and giblets removed
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 16 oz Caned Beer any lager, I used Budweiser
For the rub:
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Dried Oregano
- ½ tsp Ground Mustard
- ½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
For inside the beer can:
- 2 Garlic Cloves smashed
- 1 Rosemary Sprig
- 1 Lemon Wedge
For the drip pan:
- Water
For the garlic butter:
- 4 Garlic Cloves minced
- 3 tbsp Butter
Instructions
To make the rub and prep the chicken:
- Add all of the rub ingredients to a small bowl, then whisk to combine.
- Next, get the chicken out and remove the neck and giblets if they haven't been already.
- Pat the chicken very dry, then rub the olive oil all over it.
- Liberally rub the spices into the chicken, getting in every nook and cranny - even in the cavity!
- Next, we're going to set the chicken to the side and let it sit for 30 minutes while we heat up the grill.
Letting the chicken sit out like this almost starts a mini dry brine due to the salt! The surface also becomes tacky, which also really helps the smoke stick! As long as it's not sitting out for more than a half hour or so, you don't need to worry about food safety.
To prep the grill:
- Preheat the charcoal grill to 275℉. Ours takes about a half hour to heat up anyway, which is perfect since the chicken has to sit. Since we'll be cooking over indirect heat, you can just place the coals off to the side or along the edge of the grill.
- Start soaking the woodchips in some water and while we wait, let's prep the beer can.
To prep the beer can:
- Take a huge drink out of the beer can (or dump it out) until it's about halfway full, smash two garlic cloves, slice a lemon wedge, grab a rosemary sprig and shove it into the beer can.
- Cut the top off of the can (I used a can opener, and it worked really well), then stuff it up inside the chicken cavity!
To make the smoked beer can chicken:
- At this point, the grill should be to temp. Fill the drip pan up most of the way with water and place it below the grates.
- Drain the woodchips and add those to the hot coals. Now let's smoke the chicken!
- Add the chicken to the grill standing up, over indirect heat, using the beer can and the chicken's legs as a kickstand.
- Close the grill and smoke the chicken for 1 hour 45 minutes - 2 hours, until the breast reads 165℉ and the thigh reaches 175-180℉.
- Next, crank the heat up to 350℉ and cook 10-15 minutes longer directly over the heat. This will help to crisp that skin up really nicely.
- When it's done, remove the chicken from the grill and let it sit 20 minutes. This keeps it juicy! While we wait, let's make the garlic butter.
To make the garlic butter:
- Mince the garlic, then get out a small saucepan.
- Melt the butter on medium heat, then stir in the garlic.
- Once fragrant, remove from heat and add to a small bowl.
To serve:
- After the chicken has rested, brush the garlic butter all over it using a silicone brush. Really get in there, don't be shy. This adds TONS of flavor.
- Serve immediately while the chicken is still hot and juicy. Enjoy with your favorite sides! Try my recipe for creamy mashed potatoes!
Nutrition
Serving: 1.75cupsCalories: 540kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 63gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 250mgSodium: 980mgPotassium: 620mgFiber: 0gSugar: 0gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 0mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1.8mg
Please be aware that nutritional values are approximate and intended as a helpful guide
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
