Recipe Review: Beer Can Chicken

The other night, this is the recipe we tried: Beer Can Chicken on the Charcoal grill. Why charcoal? Well, for starters, I don't have another grill. And for seconds, I don't have another grill. Besides, I think food cooked with charcoal just tastes better. We were watching the episode where they were telling us how to cook the chicken and since this is "The Summer of Grilling", we needed to try this suburban delicacy. Let me tell you this: there were just two of us eating this chicken; my wife and myself. In, I don't know, let's say, 90 minutes, we went from raw chicken and coals just starting to a pile of bones and skin in the trash. A nice, light salad of greens and carrots on the side and we had the complete meal.

Notes on how I did it: I didn't use any wood chips or chunks for smoking as the wife is pregnant, she is super sensitive to the smells and flavors of things. Either way, I use lump charcoal so I get a pretty good smoky flavor anyway. Also, I cut the pepper in half and added some brown sugar as the sweetness helps the pregnant lady to be able to handle the pepper that she says is "Overpowering." I think this is less the pepper and more her pregnancy. Besides that, I only had the chicken on for 60 minutes. I know the recipe calls for 65-85 minutes, but it was done at 60. 15 minute rest and then a carving and we were in chicken deliciousness up to our necks...er, or it was really good.

Thoughts For You: If you've never tried beer Can Chicken like we had never tried, I would highly recommend this recipe. The chicken was tender, juicy, and full of flavor; the prep work was pretty minimal to say the least; and the overall was just too good not to do again.

My recommendation: Do this. It's so simple a novice like myself pulled it off with great success.
My recipe rating: * * * *

Until next time, Do the Dew and maybe get a few more bruises. They may look terrible, but they're just as fun to poke.

E

Grill-Roasted Beer Can Chicken for a Charcoal Grill
from the Episode: Beer Can Chicken Dinner

Using the right amount of charcoal is crucial here; using too much charcoal will burn the chicken, while using too little will extend the cooking time substantially. The temperature inside the grill should be about 375 degrees at the outset and will fall to about 300 by the time the chicken is done. For added accuracy, place a grill thermometer in the lid vents as the chicken cooks. If you prefer, use lemonade instead of beer; fill an empty 12-ounce soda or beer can with 10 ounces (1 1/4 cups) of lemonade and proceed as directed.

Serves 4

Spice Rub
1/2	cup sweet paprika
2	tablespoons kosher salt
2	tablespoons garlic powder
1	tablespoon dried thyme
2	teaspoons ground celery seed
2	teaspoons ground black pepper
2	teaspoons cayenne pepper
Chicken
2	cups wood chips , or 2 (3-inch) wood chunks
1	whole chicken (about 3 1/2 pounds)
1	can beer (12-ounce), see note
2	bay leaves
	Large disposable aluminum baking pan (13 by 9-inch)

See Illustrations Below: Setting Up Beer Can Chicken

1.For Spice Rub: Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Measure 3 tablespoons for use in this recipe. Extra rub can be stored (or frozen) in an airtight container for several weeks.

2. For Chicken: Soak the wood chunks or chips in cold water to cover for 1 hour and drain. If using wood chips, divide them between two 18-inch squares of aluminum foil, seal to make two packets, and use a fork to create about six holes in each packet to allow smoke to escape.

3. Massage the spice rub all over the chicken, inside and out. Lift up the skin over the breast and rub the spice rub directly onto the meat. Open the beer can and pour out (or drink) about 1/4 cup. With a church key can opener, punch two more large holes in the top of the can (for a total of three holes). Crumble the bay leaves into the beer. Slide the chicken over the can so that the drumsticks reach down to the bottom of the can and the chicken stands upright; set aside at room temperature.

4. Light a large chimney starter filled two-thirds with charcoal (4 quarts, or about 60 briquettes) and allow to burn until the coals are fully ignited and partially covered with a thin layer of ash, 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Place the disposable pan in the center of the grill. Pour half of the coals into a pile on each side of the grill, leaving the pan in the center. Nestle 1 soaked wood chunk (or 1 foil packet) on top of each coal pile. Position the cooking grate over the coals, cover the grill, and heat until hot, about 5 minutes; scrape the grate clean with a grill brush.

6. Place the chicken (with the can) in the center of the cooking grate with the wings facing the coals (the ends of the drumsticks will touch the grate and help steady the bird, see the illustration below). Cover and grill-roast, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 170 to 175 degrees, 65 to 85 minutes.

7. With a large wad of paper towels in each hand, transfer the chicken to a platter or tray, making sure to keep the can upright; let rest for 15 minutes. Using wads of paper towels, carefully lift the chicken off the can and onto a platter or cutting board. Discard the remaining beer and can. Carve the chicken and serve.

Grill-Roasting Two Chickens: There are some occasions when you may want to cook more than one chicken—when you have more guests to serve or if you’d like to have leftovers on hand. Here’s how:

Increase the number of wood chunks to 4 (or 4 cups of wood chips), use 6 tablespoons Spice Rub, two 3 1/2 pound chickens and increase the amount of charcoal to a three-quarters full chimney (4 1/2 quarts, or about 70 briquettes). In step 6, set the chickens (and cans) in the middle of the cooking grate, with the chickens breasts facing one another, about 3 inches apart (keeping the chickens close together ensures that they won’t hit the top of the domed grill lid). Grill-roast as directed.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Beer Can Chicken

With the legs pointing down, slide the chicken over the open beer can. The two legs and the beer can form a tripod that steadies the chicken on the grill.