Beer Can Chicken Recipe with Gas, Grill, and Charcoal Directions

Cooking a whole chicken at once isn’t quite as intense as cooking a turkey on Thanksgiving. However, there is nothing wrong with being a bit nervous that it won’t come out quite right. Luckily, there is an easy beer can chicken recipe we can use with different cooking methods that make things more failproof.

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

• ​Easy Recipe: These two recipes are very easy. You can use it as an easy dinner recipe or even as meal prep for a low-carb diet.
• ​Healthy: Don’t let the name fool you, this recipe is a healthy one. We offer low-carb chicken, rich in protein and nutrients, with juicy meat.
• Feeds a Crowd: This recipe is for a whole chicken and only works with a whole chicken, meaning there is enough for the whole family.
• ​Custom Dry Rub: We have a recommended spice rub to use, but you can use whichever dry rub for chicken you enjoy.

What is Beer Can Chicken

Our beer can chicken always results in crispy skin with flavorful chicken meat, whether made using a gas grill or a charcoal grill. You may have heard this recipe called something different, like beer butt chicken or just beer can chicken.

It is an easy recipe that asks you to use a whole chicken with a beer can in the cavity of the chicken. This beer can should be your favorite beer, and it should be half full when you start cooking.

You will want to pick the best beer you have for the cook time, since the beer is what will keep the meat juicy and flavorful. Most people do use Bud Light, but you can use whichever beer you want, even a craft beer.

The only thing that matters is that the beer be in a can. The can will heat up, but not break, which boils the beer and creates steam inside the chicken. That steam will add flavor and moisture to the entire chicken.

Of course, that means we need a cooking method that will work properly. The grill is the best choice, no matter what kind of beer you use. Place the beer can in the body cavity and then place it on a grill.

However, the type of grill we use makes a difference: gas or charcoal?

Difference Between a Gas and a Charcoal Grill

The only way to cook this beer can chicken recipe is with a grill. There isn’t much difference in the cooking time or the prep of the chicken, no matter which grill we use.

We still want to cook the chicken upright, and we still want a nice dry rub from the top of the chicken to the bottom. However, there is an added step for those using charcoal that requires a roasting pan.

This is because the steam will drip down more than a couple of times, which could ruin the charcoals. We don’t want to ruin that perfect heat coming from the preheated grill. Luckily, we have methods for that to help.

Beer Can Chicken Recipe Ingredients

1. Can of Beer – Pick the beer you enjoy the most. The flavor is going to get into the meat as the chicken cooks. 
2. Whole Chicken – Of course, we need the whole raw chicken. The pound of chickens you have won’t make a difference, just so long as it is all in one piece.
3. Olive Oil – Olive oil is going to help the skin crisp up on the grill. It will add a bit of flavor as well and help the dry rub to stick to the skin.
4. Sea Salt – We prefer to use sea salt. Sea salt is not as salty as table salt. We can add a bit more for that reason. We can even rub it inside the cavity of the chicken to lock in some moisture.
5. Black Pepper – Cracked black pepper adds a ton of flavor, just be sure to use one layer of black pepper.
6. Onion Powder – There are few chicken recipes out there that don’t use the following seasonings, including onion powder. 
7. Garlic Powder – Garlic powder is another common chicken seasoning. Simple, and everyone has it on hand.
8. Paprika – Lastly, paprika will tie everything together. We can take things further as well by adding chili powder for a spicier chicken or brown sugar for a sweeter chicken.

How to Prep Beer Can Chicken

• Remove and discard the neck, giblets, and any excess fat from the chicken. Rinse the chicken inside and outside with cold water. Gently pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
• In a small bowl, mix the rub ingredients and set aside.
• Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and spread evenly over the chicken using your hands.
• Next, season the chicken all over with the rub. (Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika.)
• Open the beer and either pour out or, better yet, drink about half the beer. Place the beer can on a solid surface and put the chicken cavity over the beer can. 

How to Make Beer Can Chicken on a Charcoal Grill

• Use a Chimney Starter to get nice hot coals for your grill. This will help you build a hot fire quickly, with no added chemicals.
• Flip the chimney over and push some scrunched-up newspaper into the bottom.
• Set the chimney right side up on your charcoal grill and then fill it with charcoal.

• Light a full chimney of charcoal. Light the paper by either sticking matches through the vents in several spots or using a lighter.
• Let the fire burn until the coals are covered with white ash.
• Use oven mitts to handle the chimney, dump the charcoal into the grill under grilling rack. Make sure to avoid direct heat onto the chicken separate the charcoals on each side of the grill using tongs.

• Place a drip pan between the charcoal to catch the drippings from the chicken. The chicken needs to cook slowly over indirect heat. Grill until the internal temperature registers at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the breast and 180 degrees Fahrenheit in the thigh. Or, when the juices run clear when stabbed with a knife. A 5lb chicken will cook approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Using tongs or oven mittens, gently grasp the chicken and slide a large spatula under it. Carefully transfer the chicken to a platter in an upright position and let it rest for 10 minutes. Then, lift the chicken and remove the beer can using paper towels. Be careful, as the can and the beer inside will still be hot. Discard the beer and the can.
• Cut the chicken into serving pieces and enjoy!

How to Make Beer Can Chicken on a Gas Grill

• Preheat gas grill to medium-high heat with all burners.
• Place chicken on the grill and turn off the burner your chicken is sitting on to avoid direct heat. Reduce the heat of other burners or burners to medium and maintain a temperature of 325 to 350°F.
• Close the lid and let it cook for at least 45 minutes. Then, check on the chicken.

• You will let the chicken cook for at least 1 hour and 15 minutes before checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The thickest part of the thigh should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit without touching the bone. Grills and temperatures vary, so keep an eye on the temperature. You can cook for an additional 10 minutes to achieve crispier skin.
• Using tongs or oven mittens, gently grasp the chicken and slide a large spatula under it. Carefully transfer the chicken to a platter in an upright position and let it rest for 10 minutes. Then, lift the chicken and remove the beer can using paper towels. Be careful, as the can and the beer inside will still be hot. Discard the beer and the can.
• Cut the chicken into serving pieces and enjoy!

More Chicken Recipes

Intermittent Fasting Lunch Recipes with Chicken | There are seriously too many ways to cook chicken, but it will always be a great addition to any meal plan. 

Crockpot Chicken Recipes with Red Wine | You can even cook chicken with red wine. Red wine! How amazing is that? 

Chicken and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner | Dairy Free | There are also ways to make cleanup a breeze, but still enjoy a delicious dinner. 

Easy Crockpot Pasta Recipes with Chicken | Chicken somehow also goes well with pasta of just about any kind. 

Crockpot Meals with Leftover Chicken | You can even use leftover chicken in a new recipe and give it new life!