Oven Beer Can Chicken

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We all have our favorite go-to dishes and snacks – but why is it that some meals just hit the spot more than others? Personally, for me, taking a big bite out of a fresh beer-butt chicken is the perfect way to end the day.

This classic barbecue dish is one of the juiciest, most tantalizing chicken recipes in existence. Beer can chicken is an old-time favorite that involves baking chicken upright over a bed of freshly poured beer or on top of a beer can itself.

This method of barbecue cooking gives the chicken a unique flavor that is impossible to replicate. In short, beer can chicken is definitely worth the effort and wait.

The process itself is surprisingly easy – with just a few simple steps and some spices, you can create a very tasty meal that is sure to impress your family and friends.

Is Beer Butt Chicken Healthy?

I know what your first thought is – it’s beer, so how can it be healthy? Fortunately, the alcohol is only to add moisture to the chicken skin and not to create any intoxicating flavors.

As a result, cooking chicken with beer is completely safe for children to eat as well! You can also alternate the drink with non-alcoholic beverages, such as Coke, Pepsi, or even ginger ale.

When it comes to the chicken itself, I always cook with a skinless whole chicken, just because chicken skin itself packs a lot of saturated fat, which can be bad for your cholesterol levels.

However, I know some people like the crispy skin on baked chicken, so feel free to use whichever kind of whole chicken you want.

What Drink Can I Use for Cooking Chicken?

There’s no restriction when it comes to cooking beer can chicken. You can use any beer you want, malted or not. On top of that, you can also alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic beverages, such as soda, ginger ale, or Coke/Pepsi.

Supporting the Chicken Beer Can

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a baking rack or special dish to support the entire chicken over the beer can. All you really have to do is insert the can inside the whole chicken and tie the chicken legs with a string.

On the other hand, you can have the chicken resting on a ring created by aluminum foil. However, for chicken that’s too big, consider purchasing a pan or wire rack to support the beer can chicken on the baking dish.

How to Make Beer Can Chicken | Grill or Bake

If you’re looking for a tasty and easy way to cook chicken, look no further. Oven beer can chicken is the way to go, and let’s not forget how yummy it is!

Give it a try and see how versatile the recipe is – who knows, it may just become a new family favorite or crowd-pleasing chicken recipe for your next get-together. The best part is that you can either grill or bake chicken beer can. There’s no written-in-stone process for you to follow.

Cooking Beer Can Chicken Over an Outdoor Grill

Similar to baking, preheat the gas grill to 357F. Use the same methods as above to support the chicken over the beer can. Place the dish over a cast iron pan and cook for at least an hour till the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 165F. If the crockpot is more your speed, you might try this recipe for Crock Pot Whole Chicken instead!

What to Serve as Sides with the Beer Can Chicken

I like pairing my beer can chicken with light sides since the main course is pretty heavy itself. I’ve seen a few friends pairing mashed potatoes or penne pasta with my chicken beer can recipe.

Other amazing side dishes include:

• Grilled zucchini
• Baked potatoes and winter veggies
• Grilled eggplant with parmesan coating
• Corn on the cob
• Juicy watermelon wedges

Alternative Chicken Seasoning – Quick and Affordable!

Instead of buying processed seasoning from the market, I like making my own dry rub at home. Here’s how you can make oh-so-good seasoning as well!

Ingredients | Prep-time: 2 Minutes | Yield: Six Pieces

• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. onion powder
• 2 tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 tbsp. fresh oregano
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. salt (or to your taste)
• 2 tbsp. smoked paprika

Mix all of the dry ingredients together. You can add a little bit of honey and Worcestershire sauce (1 tbsp. each) if you want some moisture in the seasoning. If you want to try a marinade instead, take a look at this Chicken Thigh Marinade Recipe.

Can I Bake Beer Butt Chicken with Leftover Chicken?

Yup, you absolutely can! It might not taste as fresh or as juicy, but nobody said you couldn’t cook beer can chicken with leftovers.

No matter what kind of chicken you use (old or fresh), don’t forget to always use a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked through. If you want to go with some added fun while grilling, try experimenting with different types of beer to add unique flavors.

Conclusion

The unique combination of steam from the beer and direct heat from the oven or grill creates an amazingly juicy and flavorful bird with a crisp and crunchy skin.

Making beer can chicken is a fun way to take your cooking to the next level – you’ll look like a pro to your family and friends, and you will undoubtedly be serving up something really delicious!

Due to its acidic nature, beer naturally helps break down proteins, resulting in a deep, rich taste that complements the succulence of the chicken. In addition, its carbonation softens the skin, resulting in a much crispier, more melt-in-your-mouth texture.

With so many different kinds of beer available, you can modify the flavor of the bird to suit your own preference.

Experiment with lagers, ales, pilsners, and other craft beers to achieve a wide variety of unique flavors. Plus, you can mix herbs, spices, and even vegetables with the beer to add more dimension!

The next time you’re looking for an amazing and delicious dish to serve your family and friends, why not give my beer can chicken recipe a try? It’s an easy way to add a unique twist to your homemade grilled or baked dish, and it delivers really tasty, juicy, and crispy chicken every time.