By
eHow Food & Drink Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Whole chicken, 3 to 4 lbs.
- Small potato or onion
- 3 tbs. dry rub
- 2 tbs. oil
- Salt and pepper
- 1 can beer
Step1
Purchase a whole chicken. Thaw the poultry and then clean out any giblets or neck that may be inside. Rinse the bird and dry off with paper towels.
Step2
Coat the chicken skin with 2 tbs. of vegetable or olive oil. Sprinkle the inside with salt and pepper.
Step3
Heat the grill by either lighting charcoal or turning on the gas burner. It takes medium high heat to cook this bird, but it will be done using indirect heat. Indirect heat means that the meat will not be sitting directly over the burner or coals.
Step4
Pop open a can of beer. The brand of beer will be chef's choice, but a cheap brand will do just fine. Drain off or drink the first inch or so of the beer. Add in 3 tbs. of dry rub of choice to the beer can.
Step5
Set the beer can down on the counter. Pick up the chicken with the legs in the downward position. Situate the bird on the beer can, pushing it on until the legs are even with the bottom of the can and the chicken can balance upright. Put a small potato or onion in the neck of the bird to help retain the beer steam.
Step6
Place the chicken on the grill. Put the grill cover on and cook for about 1 ¼ hours, or until the juices run clear. A good rule of thumb for chicken is for the thigh to have an internal temperature of 180 degrees and the breast to be 165 degrees.
Step7
Remove the beer can chicken from the grill and rest for 10 minutes. Use caution when removing the chicken from the grill as the beer and can will be very hot. Pull the can out carefully before carving.
