How to Cook Chicken on the Grill With Beer

Cook a chicken on the grill with beer to keep the meat moist.

Chicken cooked on the grill with beer, also referred to as beer butt chicken, is moist and flavorful. A small, whole chicken cooks with a beer can inserted in the cavity so that the beer can infuse the chicken with flavor. You can make beer can chicken over a gas or charcoal grill, but the chicken will need to be cooked over low indirect heat to keep it from drying out.

Things You'll Need

• 4 lb. whole chicken
• Paper towels
• Basting brush
• Vegetable oil
• Dry spices
• 1 can of beer
• Meat thermometer

Instructions

1. Remove the giblets and the neck from the chicken and throw them away. Rinse the inside and outside of the chicken.

2. Preheat the grill to medium-high. If you are using a gas grill, leave one of the burners off. If you choose to use a charcoal grill, allow the coals to burn down until a white ash forms. Then rake the coals over to one side of the grill.

3. Dry the chicken off with paper towels. Brush the inside and outside of the chicken lightly with vegetable oil, and then rub dry spices onto the chicken. Use spices like salt, cayenne, pepper and garlic powder to infuse the chicken with flavor.

4. Open a can of your preferred beer. Drink or pour the beer out so that the can remains half full. Place the beer can on a flat surface.

5. Hold onto each chicken leg, and then place the cavity of the chicken over the can of beer. Place the chicken over indirect heat. The legs will help to support the chicken and keep it from tipping over. Place the tips of the wings behind the back of the chicken.

6. Close the lid on the grill. Cook the chicken for around 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the chicken breast. The thigh of the chicken will need to read around 180 degrees to ensure that the chicken cooks properly.

7. Remove the chicken from the grill. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes and then serve.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of using beer, you can cook the chicken with wine.

• Remove the chicken from the grill carefully because it can tip over and the hot liquid can burn your skin.

References

• Yes! You Can Grill: Beer Butt Chicken
• Barbecue Bible: Basic Beer Can Chicken
• St. Petersburg Times: Beer-can chicken: Setting Up Your Grill and a Recipe