Smoked Beer Can Chicken

Chicken on beer can with beer in backround.

Smoked Beer Can Chicken

Quit making boring chicken! Grab a couple beers because we are going to season the hell out of some chickens and stick a beer in em' for the ultimate juiciest smoked chicken you've ever had.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Type Smoked Meat

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 2 15

Total Time 2 45

Servings Servings

Calories 454kcal

Author Will

Cost 10

Equipment

Ingredients

5 lb roaster chicken giblets removed

Brine

3 gallons water
3 cups kosher salt
4 cups apple juice
2 cups dark brown sugar

Seasoning Rub #1

2 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoon sea Salt
2 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin

Seasoning Rub #2

2 tablespoon olive oil
3 habanero peppers cut in half
2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tsp sea salt
2 teaspoon parsley
2 teaspoon garlic powder

Beer

½ can light lager or fruity beer 12-16 oz can

Instructions

Pre-heat smoker to 225°F.
Remove giblets from inside of roaster chicken and rinse bird with fresh water.
Brine chicken for 4-24 hours in a wet brine or simply rinse with fresh water. Add brine ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil to dissolve salt & sugar. Remove from heat.
Allow brine to cool COMPLETELY before adding & submerging chicken into liquid. Once finished, rinse with cool fresh water.
Dry chicken with paper towels. Coat with olive oil. Make sure to get both sides of the bird and in between the skin and breast meat.
Season bird with rub seasoning everywhere you put olive oil. Place a 12-16 oz beer can which is half full of beer inside the cavity of chicken. Use a beer can chicken stand for ease.
Place chicken directly on grill rack 'sitting up' and smoke for 75 minutes. Turn up temperature to 350°F and cook until the internal temperature is 165°F when checked with an instant read thermometer, about another 60 minutes.
Let rest 10-15 minutes and serve.

Notes

Use a beer can chicken stand for ease of cooking. They can come in some cool different designs too. Great for presentation.
Use a fruit wood when smoking for best flavor.
Don't smoke at a low temperature the entire time, the skin will come out rubbery.

Nutrition