9 Beer Can Chicken Recipes: Suds and Spuds Supper

Using beer when grilling or roasting is a great way to keep your meat moist. It also doubles as a chicken holder!

Try any beer can chicken recipe on this list while enjoying a delicious cold beer.

Our 9 Favorite Beer Can Chicken Recipes

While there is a traditional way of making beer can chicken, we’ve made sure to look for a variety of them.

Each beer can chicken recipe on this list will surely add a twist without the flare-ups.

We’re sure you’ll find a great recipe for beer can chicken on this list.

1: Pat’s Beer-Can Grilled Chicken Recipe

Source: The Food Network

Ingredients

For the Beer Can Chicken Rub

• Cayenne pepper (1 tablespoon)
• Ground cumin (1 tablespoon)
• Dried thyme (1 tablespoon)
• Smoked paprika (2 tablespoons)
• Kosher Salt  (2 tablespoons)
• Onion powder (2 tablespoons)
• Dried thyme (2 tablespoons)
• Dried oregano (2 tablespoons)
• Black pepper (2 tablespoons)
• Garlic powder (2 tablespoons)

For the Chicken

• 4 pounds of chicken (washed and dried)
• Vegetable oil
• Chicken rub
• 1 12-ounce can of beer

Instructions

1. Mix all seasonings in a small bowl. Store any extra seasoning for up to 6 months in an airtight container.
2. Preheat the gas grill to medium-high heat.
3. Cover all crevices with vegetable oil and rub the mixture.
4. Pour out 1/4 of your beer. Sit the chicken on top of the beer can.
5. Place the chicken on the grill and cover.
6. Cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours on the grill or until the instant-read thermometer reads 165ºF.
7. Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the grill. Discard the beer can. Loosely cover with foil and let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.

2: Cajun-Style Beer Can Chicken Recipe

Source: The Stay Home Chef

Ingredients

• Thyme (1/2 teaspoon)
• Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• White pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Cayenne pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Onion powder (1 teaspoon)
• Garlic powder (1 teaspoon)
• Oregano (1 teaspoon)
• Basil (1 teaspoon)
• Salt (1 teaspoon)
• Paprika (2 teaspoons)
• 3.5 pounds of whole chicken
• Olive oil  (1 tablespoon)
• 12-ounce canned beer room temperature

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
2. Mix the spices into a bowl.
3. Drizzle olive oil onto the chicken and rub the spice mixture on. Make sure you get it under the skin.
4. Pour 1/4 of the beer into your pan. Set the can in the center and carefully set the chicken upright on top of the can.
5. Roast on the lowest rack of your oven for 75 to 105 minutes.
6. Once cooked, let it rest for 15 minutes. Remove the can and carve the meat. Drizzle the juices onto the carved meat.

3: Smoked Beer Can Chicken Recipe

Source: The Stay Home Chef

Ingredients

• Thyme (1/2 teaspoon)
• Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• White pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Cayenne pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Onion powder (1 teaspoon)
• Garlic powder (1 teaspoon)
• Oregano (1 teaspoon)
• Basil (1 teaspoon)
• Salt (1 teaspoon)
• Paprika (2 teaspoons)
• 3.5 pounds of whole chicken
• Olive oil  (1 tablespoon)
• 12-ounce canned beer, room temperature

Instructions

1. Preheat the smoker to 275ºF before mixing spices and applying them to the chicken.
2. Smoke at 275ºF for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until chicken is at 165ºF.
3. Transfer the chicken onto a plate and rest for 10 minutes before carving.

4: Chinese Beer Can Chicken Recipe

Source: Cookipedia

NOTE: This recipe needs to be prepared in advance!

Ingredients

For Marinade

• Boiling water
• Light soy sauce (1/2 cup)
• Dark soy sauce (1/2 cup)
• 5-7 whole star anise
• Brown sugar (1 tablespoon)
• Chili flakes (1 tablespoon)

For Chicken

• 1 large whole chicken
• 12-ounce canned beer
• Sesame oil

Instructions

1. Remove giblets from the chicken. Rinse inside and out under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Add chicken onto a large pan and cover 3/4 with boiling water. Add other ingredients for the marinade and mix properly.
3. Refrigerate once cooled and leave to marinade for 12 hours. Turn a few times to have it evenly covered.
4. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
5. Brush marinated chicken with sesame oil. Seal the neck by folding it over and skewering it with skewers or cocktail sticks.
6. Pour out about 1/4 of your beer and set it on a baking tray. Have the chicken sitting upright on the can.
7. Place the baking tray at the bottom of the oven. Bake for 30 minutes and reduce heat to 350ºF. Cook for 1.5 hours.
8. After baking, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.

5: Mexican-Style Beer Can Chicken

Source: McCormick

Ingredients

• Chili powder (1/2 tablespoon)
• Ground cumin (1 teaspoon)
• Coriander (1/2 teaspoon)
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
• Cayenne pepper (1/4 teaspoon)
• Pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Whole chicken
• Lime Juice
• Cilantro

Instructions

1. Mix all spices and preheat your charcoal grill. Use the side of the grill for free charcoal.
2. Rub spices onto the chicken.
3. Pour about 1/4 of the beer out onto your pan. Set the can in the center and place the chicken onto the can.
4. Roast the chicken on the grill for 75 to 105 minutes. Indirect heat is recommended to keep the chicken from drying out.
5. After taking the cooked chicken off the grill, add lime juice and chopped cilantro.
6. Let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.

6: Beer Can Chicken With Citrus BBQ Sauce Recipe

Source: Made by Nashish

Ingredients

• 2 whole chicken, fat trimmed
• Olive oil (3 tablespoons)
• 2 12-ounce beer can
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 lemon peel, cut into 1-inch strips
• Citrus BBQ sauce (2 cups)
• Salt
• Pepper

Citrus BBQ Sauce:

• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• Garlic powder (1 teaspoon)
• Onion powder (1 teaspoon)
• Dijon mustard (1 1/2 tablespoons)
• Balsamic vinegar (2 tablespoons)
• Orange zest (2 tablespoons)
• Honey (1/4 cups)
• Lemon juice (1/4 cup)
• Orange juice (1 cup)
• Ketchup (2 cups)

Instructions

1. Combine the ingredients of BBQ sauce in a saucepan. Cook sauce for 15 minutes on medium heat.
2. Preheat the charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Use the side of the grill for your free charcoal.
3. Rub chickens with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add garlic and lemon peels to the beer can for extra flavor.
4. Set chicken on the half-full beer cans.
5. Cook chicken on the grill for 45 minutes. Put it on the cool side for indirect heat.
6. After taking it off the grill, brush it with Citrus BBQ Sauce. Cook for 10 more minutes or until the internal temperature is at 165ºF.
7. Let them rest for 10 minutes before carving.

7: Baked Beer Can Chicken

Source: AllRecipes

Ingredients

• Ground pepper (1 1/2 teaspoons)
• Kosher salt (1 tablespoon)
• Dried oregano (1 tablespoon)
• Onion powder (2 tablespoons)
• Seasoned salt (2 tablespoons)
• Garlic powder (1/4 cup)
• 1 whole chicken
• 2 12-ounce can of light-flavored beer
• 4 green onions, sliced
• 4 green onions, cut in half crosswise

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF.
2. Mix spices into a small bowl and set aside.
3. Place the half-full can of beer on the baking sheet.
4. Rinse chicken in cold running water. Discard giblets and neck before draining and patting dry.
5. Place chicken on the beer can. Cut small slits on each side and press the tip of each wing into the slit.
6. Rub seasoning and green onion slices on the entire chicken for flavor. Press onion halves on the top cavity. Pour half of the other can into the pan and set aside.
7. Bake for 45 minutes. Pour the remaining beer to prevent making the chicken dry. Once cooked, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. It should read 180ºF.
8. Remove from the oven and discard the beer can. Let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.

8: Cilantro Lime Beer Can Chicken

Source: Glitter and Graze

Ingredients

• Whole chicken
• 1 can of lime-flavored beer
• 3 limes
• Chopped cilantro (1/2 cup)
• Softened butter (2 tablespoons)
• Olive oil (1 tablespoon)

Seasoning

• Cayenne pepper (1/4 teaspoon)
• Cumin (1/2 teaspoon)
• Pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Paprika(1 teaspoon)
• Chili powder (1 teaspoon)
• Garlic powder (2 teaspoons)
• Salt (3 teaspoons)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Mix the seasoning. Use 1/4 of it to mix into softened butter.
3. Rub the butter mixture on the chicken. Add cilantro and lime slices under the skin for extra flavor.
4. Rub half of the olive oil and seasoning onto half of the chicken. Repeat with the other half.
5. Pour 1/4 of the beer and set it in the middle of the baking pan. Place the chicken on top.
6. Bake it for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
7. Let it rest before carving.

9: Sweet & Spicy Beer Can Chicken

Source: Jamie Oliver

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken
• Olive oil
• 12-ounce can of beer
• Barbecue sauce (2 tablespoons)
• Fresh chili (1 tablespoon)
• Spring onions, trimmed
• Cilantro

Dry Rub

• Cumin seeds (1 teaspoon)
• Cayenne pepper (1 teaspoon)
• Cilantro seeds (1 tablespoon)
• Fennel seeds (1 tablespoon)
• Smoked paprika (1 tablespoon)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
2. Crush and mix the ingredients for the rub.
3. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil before rubbing spices on it.
4. Pour out 2/3 of your beer and place it on the tray. Position the chicken on top of it.
5. Cook for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until golden.
6. Brush with barbecue sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

You might have more on having the perfectly cooked beer can chicken.

Here are some of the commonly asked questions about this dish. Make sure to read through them before you start cooking.

What Temperature Should the Whole Chicken Be Done At?

The ideal temperature for cooking chicken meat is 165ºF for breasts and 170ºF for thighs.

Ensure that the inside of the chicken isn’t pink and the juices run clear. It’s another way to tell if the chicken is perfectly cooked.

When measuring with a meat thermometer, ensure it’s inserted into the thickest part.

What Temperature Should the Grill Be for Beer Can Chicken?

You’d normally preheat the grill on medium heat for 45 to 60 minutes. It should help the grill reach 325 to 375ºF, the ideal range for cooking beer can chicken.

NOTE: Cooking time on a grill depends on the size of your chicken. We recommend using a probe thermometer.

Can I Make Beer Can Chicken in the Oven?

Source: Unsplash

YES! You can make a beer can of chicken in the oven.

We recommend using a large roasting pan and baking it at 350ºF for 65 minutes. You’ll have a flavorful and tender chicken out of the oven.

What’s the Best Beer to Use for Beer Can Chicken?

You can use any kind of beer for beer can chicken. The beer is used to keep your chicken moist while dry roasting outside. No need for fancy beer.

Lager or lighter ale is the best beer if you want a mild but flavorful result.

What Are the Best Sides for Beer Can Chicken?

Source: Unsplash

Beer can chicken is absolutely delicious with grilled veggies and mashed potatoes. It can also depend on the recipe and style of cooking.

Checking the nutrition information should help you balance your sides.

Conclusion

Source: Pexels

You can enjoy beer can chicken with your friends and family while cooking at an outdoor grill or in your cozy kitchen. It’s a great dish, especially if you love chicken.

Hopefully, you can try out some of these recipes the next time you cook chicken.