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Home » Grilling

Published: Apr 9, 2016 · Modified: Jul 27, 2024 by Kathy

Beer Can Chicken on Grill

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A whole chicken standing upright on a grill.

Beer Can Chicken is my go-to method for cooking a whole chicken on the grill. My husband introduced me to this method when we first started dating and we’ve perfected it over the years.

A whole chicken on a can of beer on the grill.

Beer Can Chicken

My method for using indirect heat, cooks a perfectly juicy chicken every single time. I’ve added just the right aromatics to the chicken that give the perfect amount of flavor and I have several variations so you can make this chicken your own.

Beer Can Chicken Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for making beer can chicken.

This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.

  • Whole chicken - look for a whole chicken that weighs between 4-5 pounds
  • Beer - any kind will work but it needs to be in a can, not a bottle. I usually use a lighter pilsner-style beer.
  • Lemon - a whole, fresh lemon
  • Garlic - whole garlic cloves
  • Fresh herbs - thyme, oregano, rosemary, and sage. Use all or just one or two.

How to make Beer Can Chicken

In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.

  1. Turn on the grill so it is preheated
  2. Rinse chicken and be certain to remove any giblets or anything else in the cavity
  3. Pat chicken dry with a paper towel
  4. Sprinkle the inside of the chicken with a bit of salt and pepper
  5. Place half a lemon and fresh herbs into the cavity of the chicken
  6. Empty half of the beer from a beer can
  7. Place garlic cloves in beer can and place can in stand
  8. Put chicken on a beer can with beer can inserted into the cavity
  9. Rub the chicken skin with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper
A chicken stuffed with herbs and a lemon.
A whole chicken sitting on a beer can on a grill.

10. Place on a preheated gas grill on indirect heat. I turn off the middle burner on my grill and leave the two side burners on medium heat. Close lid to grill. Try to maintain a grill temperature of 325-350°F.
11. Cook for about 1 ½ hours until an internal meat thermometer registers 165°F.
12. Remove from heat and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Let rest for 10 minutes covered loosely with foil.
13. Remove chicken from beer can and stand. Slice and serve

Beer Can Chicken on the Grill variations

I have also made this chicken without beer. Sounds crazy since its name is beer can chicken. What you need is a clean can filled halfway with a liquid. Some options include:

  • White wine
  • Grape juice
  • Apple juice
  • Chicken stock
  • Water

I love adding fresh lemon and herbs. You could also use a lime or an orange or add a quartered onion to the cavity of the chicken.

Beer Can Chicken Grill tips

  • Only fill the cavity of your bird halfway full with lemon and herbs. The bird has to have enough space to sit on the can of beer.
  • Keep the lid down on your grill. Only open when you need to check your chicken. Each time you open the grill, you lose heat.
  • Use indirect heat. The burner directly under the chicken should be in the off position
  • If your grill has uneven heat, rotate chicken every 30 minutes so all areas of the chicken is exposed to the hotter areas
  • Use a thermometer to determine if your chicken is cooked through. The chicken should register at least 165°F inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone.
  • Be certain to allow your chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes when removing from the heat and before removing from the beer can.
  • It can be helpful to have two people help when removing the chicken from the can. Use a clean towel to gently grab the chicken while the other person uses oven mitts to hold the stand.

Serving Beer Can Chicken

  • Roasted Potatoes
  • Grilled Baby Potatoes
  • Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese
  • Santa Maria Beans
  • Green Bean Almondine
  • Homemade Dinner Rolls
  • Pasta and Pea Salad
  • Avocado Corn Salad

You might also want to check out this post that has a whole collection of delicious side dishes, What to Serve with BBQ Chicken.

Any leftover chicken can be used in this chicken pasta bake, chicken wraps, or chicken salad.

Need another way to cook a whole chicken? Check out this recipe for a Smoked Whole Chicken.

How to Store Leftover Beer Chicken

Leftover Beer Can Chicken should be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator and used within 3-4 days. The chicken can be left on the carcass or sliced and refrigerate just the meat.

FAQs for Beer Can Chicken on Grill

What type of beer do I use for beer can chicken?

Any type of beer in a can works perfectly for beer can chicken. We tend to use a light pilsner beer like a PBR or Coors.

What size chicken should I use for making beer can chicken?

Try to find a chicken that is between 4-5 pounds. If you use a smaller chicken, you'll want to reduce the cooking time.

We've used larger, but just be certain that the chicken fits on your grill with the lid closed. You'll also need to increase the cooking time.

How long do I cook beer can chicken?

Cooking time is approximately 1 ½ hours, but the cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken, your grill, and the conditions outdoors (wind, temperature, precipitation.)

Sliced chicken breast on a plate next to a salad.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

If you loved this recipe you'll LOVE all the others in this category. Check out all my grilling recipes!

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A whole chicken on a can of beer on the grill.

Beer Can Chicken On the Grill

Kathy Berget
Whole chicken cooked on the BBQ over a can of beer.
5 from 14 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 1 chicken
Calories 277 kcal

Equipment

  • Beer Can Chicken Stand
  • Instant Read Thermometer
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken (4-5 pounds)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ can of beer
  • 2 clove garlic
  • ½ lemon
  • 4 sprigs fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, oregano or sage)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat grill to 350°F.
  • Remove giblets from chicken and rinse well. Dry outside of chicken with a paper towel.
  • Mix salt, pepper and thyme together.
    1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Sprinkle some of the seasoning inside bird cavity.
    1 whole chicken
  • Open and empty the beer can half way.
    ½ can of beer
  • Put garlic cloves inside can. If cloves are too large, they can be cut to fit inside can. Place can in a beer can chicken stand.
    2 clove garlic
  • Place lemon half and fresh herbs inside cavity of chicken.
    ½ lemon, 4 sprigs fresh herbs
  • Slide chicken cavity over beer can. Rub chicken with olive oil and sprinkle remaining salt mixture over the entire skin.
    1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Place on a preheated gas grill on indirect heat. I turn off the middle burner on my grill and leave the two side burners on medium heat. Close lid to grill. Try to maintain a grill temperature of 325-350°F.
  • Cook for about 1 ½ hours until an internal meat thermometer registers 165°F.
  • Remove from heat and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Let rest for 10 minutes covered loosely with foil.
  • Remove chicken from beer can and stand. Slice and serve.

Notes

  • Only fill the cavity of your bird halfway with the lemon and herbs. The bird has to have enough space to sit on the can of beer.
  • Keep the lid down on your grill. Only open when you need to check your chicken. Each time you open the grill, you lose heat.
  • Use indirect heat. The burner directly under the chicken should be in the off position
  • If your grill has uneven heat, rotate chicken every 30 minutes so all areas of the chicken is exposed to the hotter areas
  • Use a thermometer to determine if your chicken is cooked through. The chicken should register at least 165°F inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone.
  • Be certain to allow your chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes when removing from the heat and before removing from the beer can.
  • It can be helpful to have two people help when removing the chicken from the can. Use a clean towel to gently grab the chicken while the other person uses oven mitts to hold the stand.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 277kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 23gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 89mgPotassium: 252mgVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 8.2mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1.3mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Adina says

    April 13, 2016 at 8:57 am

    This is something I've been wanting to try for years, but somehow it always seemed so intimidating. I am drooling here...

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 13, 2016 at 4:52 pm

      Super easy to make! Just go for it....and go ahead and drool!

      Reply
  2. Balvinder says

    April 12, 2016 at 7:37 pm

    I heard about beer can chicken, saw it for the first time. My husband would love this.

    Reply
  3. Ashley says

    April 12, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    My husband has alwayssss wanted to try this! And yet every summer we somehow always forget! Too fun!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 12, 2016 at 7:07 pm

      This is the summer to try it! Why wait for summer...try it this weekend! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says

    April 12, 2016 at 11:03 am

    Kathy, your bird is gorgeous! And from a grill - wow! I've heard of beer can chicken from an oven - but your version inspires me to experiment with my grill more - and thanks for the tip about the wiggle amount of the chicken leg as a measure of it's doneness!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 12, 2016 at 7:06 pm

      I've certainly done beer can chicken on the grill, but I've never heard of it in the oven! How crazy is that?

      Reply
  5. GiGi Eats says

    April 12, 2016 at 11:01 am

    YES!! Loveeee getting my chicken nice and drunk!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 12, 2016 at 7:08 pm

      Ha! It certainly adds a ton of flavor!

      Reply
  6. Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says

    April 12, 2016 at 8:54 am

    Props to you for raising your own chickens and butchering them. I bet the meat is a thousand times better.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 12, 2016 at 7:14 pm

      Homegrown birds are great, but the best part for me is knowing where our meat has come from and how it was handled.

      Reply
  7. Kim | Low Carb Maven says

    April 12, 2016 at 8:39 am

    5 stars
    Talk about mindful eating... raising and butchering your own birds. I like how you guys live with ties to nature.... I love beer can chicken and haven't made it in aaaaages. You have made me hungry for it. Thanks for sharing a great recipe and grill-on!

    Reply
  8. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    April 12, 2016 at 7:00 am

    5 stars
    A friend of mine used to make these all the time and I had never tried hers or made it myself, but I love chicken done every which way and I absolutely need to try this! Looks and sounds like it would be so moist and delicious!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 12, 2016 at 7:20 pm

      Give it a try...It will be another chicken dish you are going to love!

      Reply
  9. Dawn at Girl Heart Food says

    April 12, 2016 at 5:40 am

    Wiggle a leg...hahaha 🙂 I love beer can chicken, so moist! So awesome that you raise your own chickens. This sounds like the perfect recipe for when we use our new bbq. YUM!!

    Reply
  10. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    April 12, 2016 at 3:28 am

    I have never had beer can chicken, Kathy. This looks fantastic. My husband would love this!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 12, 2016 at 4:51 am

      It's a fun, delicious way to cook a whole chicken!

      Reply
  11. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says

    April 11, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    Whaaat? Why would you ever make beer can chicken without beer? Maybe I'm biased..... 🙂 I have one of those stands too and it makes things easier. Your chicken looks awesome!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 12, 2016 at 4:50 am

      It's crazy, but true....maybe we just need to give it a different name on those times we don't use beer!

      Reply
  12. karrie @ Tasty Ever After says

    April 11, 2016 at 11:05 am

    5 stars
    This is my kind of recipe Kathy! Beer and chicken. It doesn't get any better than that! lol! Honesty, I've never made a beer can chicken and I think it's about time. Thanks for the recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 11, 2016 at 7:55 pm

      It is time to get that chicken and beer on the grill!

      Reply
  13. Kate @ Framed Cooks says

    April 11, 2016 at 10:18 am

    I've been tempted to make beer can chicken for SO long - I'm taking the plunge with your recipe!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 11, 2016 at 7:56 pm

      Dive right on in....no more waiting!

      Reply
  14. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    April 11, 2016 at 7:47 am

    5 stars
    Keep the grilling trend going, Kathy, because I am loooving what you are sharing! Beer can chicken reminds me of my mother, because she use to always make it and yours looks delicious! Plus there is something about a chicken standing up on a beer can that just makes me giggle. 🙂 Love it. Cheers, friend!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 11, 2016 at 7:56 pm

      It makes me laugh too! So funny to see that chicken just sitting there...

      Reply
  15. Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says

    April 11, 2016 at 6:54 am

    These pics just made me laugh Kathy! So creative. We LOVE chicken here. And this looks delicious. I don't even drink, but alcohol and meat is so dang good. Simple and fun, our neighbors are gonna get a kick out of this one.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 11, 2016 at 5:56 pm

      The chicken is yummy and the pictures are funny. They look like a funky little person sitting on a can. I just need to get the bird to cross it's legs!

      Reply
  16. Fran @ G'day Souffle' says

    April 11, 2016 at 12:16 am

    What a clever idea! I never heard of that technique before. I have a Weber grill- I'm not sure if my chicken would stand up alright when I close the lid, but I cold try. I am sure you are proficient at cutting up a whole chicken. Even though we did this many times at the Cordon Bleu school, I always had difficulty separating the thigh from the drum stick in a 'clean' manner.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 11, 2016 at 7:57 pm

      You do want to make certain your grill is tall enough. I've had one or two really big chickens that kiss the top of the grill. You do want a little clearance.

      Reply
  17. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    April 09, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    I have never tried beer can chicken Kathy, but I have always heard good things about it! My brother-in-law in Texas always cooks it that way. I definitely need to give it a try!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 10, 2016 at 9:12 am

      It's a fun way to cook up a whole chicken...plus it is so moist.

      Reply
  18. allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says

    April 09, 2016 at 7:20 am

    We are definitely going to try this method Kathy, it looks so moist and delicious!!!!! We are getting a few grilling days here and there, in between the white stuff. Crazy!!!

    Reply
5 from 14 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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The author holding a chicken.

I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

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