We're going to make Beer Can Chicken on the grill without the beer or the can. The result: super crispy chicken skin with the most tender and juicy chicken you've ever tasted. Looking for the absolute best part of this recipe? There are only 4 ingredients and it is ready in about 40 minutes. Let's take a look at how to make it.
This grilled beer can chicken recipe is gluten free, paleo, low carb and lip-smacking good.
BEER CAN CHICKEN WITHOUT THE BEER OR THE CAN.
Seems a little odd that we're making beer can chicken without the can or the beer. Let's talk first about the beer. This is a gluten free blog and I really am not a fan of gluten free beers. To be honest, they just make me miss the really good beers I drank for years. So, they're not around the house. Plus, we can get a really juice bird without the beer by using stock or water in our vertical roaster. The flavor will be spot on if you get a good chicken and use minimal ingredients. No need for beer in this recipe.
Next up is the beer can. Over all the years that I have been cooking, I've never seen any paint or plastic on anything that gets heated in the grill. Everything is either porcelain coated, stainless steel or iron. I'm not sure who thought that putting a beer can into the grill was a good idea. Most beer cans are lined with plastic (to keep the freshness in... or something like that). You might get a super moist bird, but it's probably chock full of BPA and other toxins. The same principle goes for the paint on the outside of the can. Paint isn't meant to be heated in the grill. The whole idea is just crazy. Instead, let's use the proper tools for cooking. For this recipe, I suggest using a vertical chicken roaster.
VERTICAL CHICKEN ROASTER
What isn't crazy is the idea of vertical roasting, which is the key concept behind beer can chicken. For this recipe, I suggest buying a Cheap Vertical Chicken Roaster off Amazon. If you're out an about, you can go to Lowe's or Home Depot to pick one up. My suggestion is to purchase a vertical roaster that is completely stainless steel. They have non-stick options, but I'm not exactly sure how hot my grill gets and don't want to exceed the maximum safe temp on the teflon.
QUICK TIP ON THE VERTICAL CHICKEN ROASTER: Before buying a vertical roaster, make sure that you measure the hood space on your grill. The last thing you want to do is come home with your shiny new grill toy and not be able to use it! You have to remember that the chicken will be sitting on top of the roaster, so you'll need a couple of extra inches. To find the measurement, the easiest way is to open the hood of your grill and measure from the tallest point on the hood to the edge. If you have a warming rack on the grill, make sure it won't interfere with the roaster or check to ensure that you can remove it easily before cooking.
Grilled Beer Can Chicken
This recipe for Grilled Beer Can Chicken results in tender, juicy and delicious chicken with few ingredients and minimal preparation. Oh yeah, and it will have crispy skin too!
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Chicken, please remove the bag with the extra parts before cooking.
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Fresh Cracked Pepper
- ¼ Cup Water or Stock
Instructions
- Preheat your grill on the High setting. While the grill is heating, let's prepare the chicken.
- Cover the bird with the olive oil. Sprinkle the salt and pepper all over the chicken. Place on the vertical roaster. (My suggestion is not adding the water or stock to the vertical roaster until it is on the grill- it tends to spill everywhere.)
- Place the chicken on the grill and add the stock or water. Close the hood and cook for 15 minutes.
- Check on the chicken. It should be dripping juices down onto the roaster and there should still be plenty of liquid. If there is not, add more. If the chicken is getting black spots, turn the heat down under the bird. Close the lid and cook for 15 more minutes.
- Check on the chicken. It should now look golden and delicious. Turn the heat down on the grill to low and let cook for 10 more minutes. Check the temperature in the THIGH (being sure not to touch bone) and ensure that it is at 165 degrees. The juices should be running clear.
- To remove the chicken from the grill, I suggest using a rimmed sheet pan. Place it on the grill next to the cooked chicken. Using tongs, lift the bird (carefully!) with the roaster still in place and gently lay it onto the sheet pan. The liquid will spill out onto the pan, which is great because you can use that for a sauce or to pour over the chicken once it is cut. Gently remove the roaster from the chicken and set aside.
- Cut the chicken however you would like and enjoy hot!
Nutrition Information
Yield
5Amount Per Serving Calories 443
Moving to France:
So this is my last recipe that I will be writing from the States. We're headed overseas for a year and I will be posting up new and tasty recipes from the south of France. The great news is that all of the ingredients I will be using there can easily be recreated with items from your local grocery store. I'm definitely looking forward to bringing you some incredible new recipes with a Provencal flair. I will only be posting up the France travel items in our Newsletter- so if you haven't signed up, please do so now!
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEER CAN CHICKEN RECIPE:
Ok- so back to the beer can chicken. Here's the scoop: this recipe will make chicken that is tender, juicy and delicious with a crispy skin. With so few ingredients and such little preparation, this is a winning recipe for anyone who wants to cook a chicken on the grill. If you're looking for some super tasty sides to go with this chicken, please take a look at my recipes for The Best Grilled Asparagus, Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon or the delicious Traditional Provencal Ratatouille.
I hope that you love this recipe for beer can chicken (without the beer or the can) as much as I do. Let me know what you think! Happy eating.
Great post Scott & right on with the whole can not belonging anywhere near the heat & your food!!
Hi Tez-
I don't think that many people realize what they are doing with the beer can. And it really isn't common knowledge that they are lined with plastic- everyone thinks it is just aluminum. Hopefully this post will help spread the word!
Thanks for writing and happy eating!
Take care,
Scott
[…] almost passed out at the table from sensory overload. If sausage isn’t your thing, try out my Grilled Beer Can Chicken or Perfectly Grilled Pork Chops or do a completely finger-food meal with some Grilled Chicken […]
That looks great. I had to laugh at the instruction to remove the giblets. My brother and I were making Thanksgiving dinner for the first time (mom and dad were away) and he forgot to take the bag out!
He also had a fancy brand-new oven which he wasn't quite sure how to use yet. It kept going on and off and on again. Somehow it turned out to be the best bird ever!
A year in France sounds marvelous (I'm jealous)!
Hi Jodi:
Thanks for writing- and that is a very funny story. I understand why they leave the bag in, but it seems to cause more problems than it solves!
Not sure what was up with that oven- any ideas? Was it one of those combi-ovens that has microwave pulses?
Hope that you are doing well- and happy eating!
Take care,
Scott
[…] I made this recipe, I smothered it all over some grilled chicken which the family loved. It would also be delicious as a topping for my easy grilled chicken wings […]
[…] my carrot salad with my Perfectly Grilled Pork Chops or Beer Can Chicken (without the beer can). The salad works perfectly with kabobs or even grilled chicken. It is just […]
[…] other great pairings would be with my Grilled Beer Can Chicken or Perfectly Grilled Pork Chops. Or, make a whole batch and serve on their own as a delightful […]
[…] year round. In the summer it is fantastic with dishes like Perfectly Grilled Pork Chops and Grilled Beer Can Chicken. In the winter I love it piled high atop some Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork or if you have the time […]
Looks terrific. I just love how rustic the one picture is. I made this last night and it was really tasty. Good tips about the beer can. I never thought about that before.
Hi Julie:
So glad to see you liked the chicken. About the beer can... hopefully, this will reach lots of people and they will stop using them next to the food in the oven.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Have a delicious day in the kitchen!
Scott
[…] Grilled Beer Can Chicken […]