In this best beer can chicken recipe, chicken is seasoned with a sweet and spicy brown sugar-paprika rub and grilled over wood chips for smoky flavor.
Preparation Time
25 mins
Cooking Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 55 mins
Calories
627 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Soak wood chips in water for at least 1 hour.
Step 2
Preheat an outdoor grill for indirect medium heat, about 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step 3
Combine sugar, salt, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Place beer cans on a baking sheet. Spoon 1 teaspoon seasoning mix into each can. Be careful, this will make beer foam up and out of the can.
Step 4
Rub each chicken with 2 tablespoons oil. Rub remaining seasoning mix over entire chickens, inside and out. Place each chicken upright over 1 beer can.
Step 5
Drain wood chips; place with coals, in an aluminum pan, or under the grill grate according to manufacturer's instructions.
Step 6
Place cans with chicken directly on the grill. Close the lid and grill chicken until no longer pink, and juices run clear, about 1 ½ hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thighs should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Step 7
Remove chickens from the grill; discard the beer cans. Cover chickens with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil; rest in a warm area before slicing, 10 minutes.
