Beer Can Chicken

Beer and chicken – what a great combo. This is probably one of the easiest dinners for the grill this summer. All it takes is a whole roasting chicken (3½-5 lbs), a can of room temp beer, a little olive oil, and a packet of Pork & Poultry Rub.

To get started, remove neck and giblets from chicken. Using paper towels, pat the chicken dry; this will help to make the chicken crispier. Rub olive oil completely over chicken, followed by the Pork & Poultry Rub both inside and out.

Meanwhile, either drink or empty a beer can until it is half full. Place the beer can on a solid surface and place the chicken on it so that the beer can fits into the bird cavity.

Place the chicken on the grill so that it is balancing on the beer can. Cook the chicken over medium-high, indirect heat with the grill cover closed for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature registers 165℉  or until the chicken juice runs clear when poked with a knife or fork. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

If you are not thrilled with the idea of cooking your chicken on a beer can, you can get the same results by using a vertical wire roasting frame instead of a beer can. You can pick  those up very inexpensively at Bed, Bath & Beyond or Amazon. Either way, the meat will cook uniformly and the skin will be nicely browned  and crisp.