Beer Can Chicken

5 from 7 votes

Beer Can Chicken is a fun way to make a moist and tender chicken. Oven baked and roasted it is one of the best ways to get a perfectly cooked bird every time.

Prep Time10

Cook Time1 40

Rest10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 468kcal

Author: Nicole Durham

Cost: Recipe $8.47 / Serving $1.41

Equipment

Ingredients

1 whole chicken, about 5 pounds ($7.30)
1 can beer, half full ($0.97)

Seasoning Rub

½ teaspoon salt ($0.01)
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried thyme leaves ($0.04)
½ teaspoon paprika ($0.04)
½ teaspoon garlic powder ($0.04)
½ teaspoon onion powder ($0.04)
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper ($0.02)
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper ($0.01)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Prepare the Oven: Lower the oven rack and preheat the oven to 350°F.
Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Remove any giblets and trim excess skin around the cavity opening.
Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together all seasoning ingredients. Rub the mixture evenly over the entire chicken, including under the wings and along the sides.
Prepare the Beer: Pour out half of the beer. Place the can upright in the center of a 9x13 baking dish.
Position the Chicken: Carefully lower the chicken onto the beer can, pressing down gently until stable. Adjust the legs as needed for balance.
Secure the Wings: Using a sharp knife, make a small slit in the skin between the breast and thigh. Tuck the tip of each wing into the slit to prevent burning.
Roast: Bake for about 20 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer. A 5-pound chicken will take approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Rest: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest in the pan for 10 minutes. The beer can will be extremely hot.
Serve: Carefully remove the beer can using tongs while holding the chicken steady with a towel or oven mitts. Slice and serve as desired.

Notes

Safety: Always remove the beer can carefully using tongs and heat protection to avoid spills and burns.
Pan Choice: A 9x13 baking dish is recommended to catch juices and prevent overflow.
Beer Flavor: Pouring half of the beer into the baking dish is optional and can enhance moisture and beer flavor.
Beer Selection: Mild, inexpensive beers work best. Avoid strongly hopped varieties.
Rack Placement: Lower the oven rack before preheating to prevent the chicken from contacting the top of the oven.
Non-Alcoholic Option: Substitute canned lemonade, root beer, cola, or Dr. Pepper. Baking time remains the same. Lemonade pairs especially well with fresh herbs inside the can.

Nutrition