Crackling Beer Can Chicken Recipe

This Italian-inspired beer can chicken has crackling, smoke-infused skin, and soft, juicy meat. The brown sugar rub with fresh rosemary, garlic, and fennel seed flavors the chicken, which can be grilled or baked.

Chicken Rub – ▢2 tablespoons (30 g) brown sugar – ▢2 tablespoons (30 g) chopped fresh rosemary or thyme, or 2 teaspoons dried – ▢1 tablespoon (15 g) coarsely cracked black pepper – ▢1 tablespoon (15 g) kosher salt, or 2½ teaspoons table salt – ▢1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper – ▢1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds, or use fennel pollen for a "cheffy" touch – ▢1 teaspoon garlic powder – ▢½ teaspoon crushed red pepper Beer Can Chicken – ▢2 tablespoons (15 ml) olive oil – ▢1 3-4 pound (1.8 kg) whole chicken – ▢1 12-ounce can beer – ▢2-3 garlic cloves, smashed with a large knife

INGREDIENTS

Mix brown sugar, salt, chopped herbs, black pepper, fennel, garlic powder, and red pepper in a separate bowl to form the rub.

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1

Place a foil-lined rimmed baking pan at work. Dry chicken with paper towels. Tuck the first joint behind the chicken's neck over the pan to avoid scorching the wings.

STEP 2

Apply olive oil to chicken completely. Fill the cavity with 1 tablespoon rub. Evenly rub the bird's front and back with the leftover rub.

STEP 3

Open beer. Reserve ⅔ of the 8-ounce can beer for a chef's treat. Make holes around the top ⅓ of the can with a small, sharp knife to release steam. 

STEP 4

Put crushed garlic in a can. Place the can in the pan's middle and cavity. Push it down as far as possible to upright the chicken on the can.

STEP 5

Grilling Method For indirect cooking, preheat a gas grill to medium-high (375-400F) or arrange hot coals on opposite sides of a charcoal grill with a drip pan or big foil in between.

STEP 6

Place the chicken pan in the grill's center. Cover the grill and cook for an hour at 375F. Check midway. Coals can be added as needed.

STEP 7

Remove the chicken from the grill when the skin is crisp and brown and the juices run clear. 

STEP 8

To attain 165F accurately, gently place an instant read thermometer in the thick end of the thigh without touching bone.

STEP 9

Oven Method Oven rack to lowest row. Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) or 375F for convection. Roast chicken for 1 hour, rotating pan every 15 minutes, ¼ turn. 

STEP 10

Pan-juice from golden brown chicken is expected. To attain 165F accurately, gently place an instant read thermometer in the thick end of the thigh without touching bone.

STEP 11

Finger-Lickin’ Baked Chicken Legs Recipe

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