Fire up the grill! This Beer Can Chicken comes out perfectly cooked and super tender. Seasoned with a host of spices, it’s such a delicious and fun BBQ dish!

beer can chicken on a plate

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Chicken on a Can of Beer

This chicken on a can of beer is our new go to way of grilling chicken! It makes for such an easy dinner option, perfect for summer parties and family BBQ’s. Kids and adult are going to adore this flavor packed chicken!

Looking for more BBQ recipes? Why not also try my St. Louis Grilled Ribs Recipe and my Mexican Corn on the Cob.

Why You’ll Love this Beer Can Chicken on the Grill:

  • JUICY: The steam from the beer can makes sure the chicken is super tender and juicy so it melts in your mouth.
  • CRISPY SKIN: The chicken is covered in a mix of spices and comes out super crispy and flavorful.
  • EASY: So easy! Rub with pantry staples spices then pop on the beer can and grill!

If you’re looking for a healthy BBQ main, then look no further than this flavor packed beer can chicken!

large serving platter filled with chicken cut and pulled into pieces
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close up on pieces of grilled beer can chicken

How to Make Beer Can Chicken

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Rub olive and the spice mixture all over the chicken.
  2. Set the chicken on the can of beer and grill.
  3. Allow to rest, slice, serve and enjoy!
step by step photos showing how to make beer can chicken
What’s the benefit of cooking chicken on a beer can?

A can of beer props the chicken up on the grill so that it cooks more evenly and doesn’t need to be flipped. Leaving the beer can half full steams the inside of the bird, leading to tender, juicy meat.

What’s the best beer to use for beer can chicken?

Use whatever beer you have on hand. There’s no need to use a fancy beer because it’s only steaming the meat, not marinading it.

Do I have to use a beer for beer can chicken?

Definitely not! You can use a 12-ounce can of soda or juice instead. You can also use a vegetable or bean can. Remove the label before cooking, and bring the chicken juice-soaked veggies or beans to a boil on the stovetop at the end to make a tasty side.

Can I make beer can chicken in the oven?

Absolutely! Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the seasoned beer can chicken in a large roasting pan. Bake the chicken until the juices run clear and the breasts register 165°F, about 65 minutes.

Can I use a bigger chicken to make beer can chicken?

I don’t recommend using a chicken larger than 5 pounds because the beer can may not be able to adequately support a bigger bird.

Serving Suggestions

This scrumptious chicken can be served with all kinds of yummy sides. Here are some favorites:

This chicken is so tender and flavorful, you can have it with sides, roll it up in a wrap or shred and smother with BBQ sauce. It’s the chicken that keeps on giving!

close up on pieces of chicken
close up on beer can chicken

Storage Instructions

Store leftover beer can chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Remove the meat from the bones and let cool fully before storing.

Freezing Instructions

Freeze leftover beer can chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Remove the meat from the bones and let cool fully before storing.

Make It A Meal

  • Serve beer can chicken with mashed potatoes and grilled veggies to make a complete meal.
  • Shred beer can chicken and use it in soups, on top of salads, or in tacos.
  • Leftovers are great mixed with a little mayonnaise and piled into sandwiches.

Oven Instructions

To bake beer can chicken in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the chicken on the beer can and set it in a deep-walled roasting pan. Bake the chicken until the juices run clear and the breasts register 165°F, about 65 minutes.

More Healthy Dinner Recipes We Love

close up on a plate of sliced, grilled chicken

Beer can chicken is healthy, delicious and such an easy BBQ recipe! The steamed beer turns the chicken super moist and juicy, the seasoned skin becomes ultra crispy and flavor packed – it’s a total winner of a chicken dinner!

More Grilled Chicken Recipes to Try:

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe Card

Beer Can Chicken Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Author: Becky Hardin
beer can chicken
Fire up the grill! This Beer Can Chicken comes out perfectly cooked and super tender. Seasoned with a host of spices, it's such a delicious and fun BBQ dish!
Save this recipe!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 tablespoon paprika smoked preferred
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds)
  • 1 (12-ounce) can beer half full

Instructions 

  • Turn on half of the burners on the grill and set to medium-high heat.
  • Combine the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and herbs in a small dish.
    1 tablespoon paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs
    uncooked chicken on a pan, next to two bowls filled with ingredients to season it
  • Rub the olive oil and seasoning all over the chicken.
    2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 whole chicken
    a whole chicken, seasoned, on a baking pan
  • Set the chicken over the can of beer, so the chicken is sitting upright.
    1 (12-ounce) can beer
  • Place the chicken onto the grill, grilling over indirect heat and ensuring the burners directly under the chicken are turned off.
    beer can chicken cooking on the grill
  • Cover the grill and let the chicken cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Check the temperature of the chicken at the thickest part of the thigh. The temperature should reach 165°F.
  • Remove the chicken from the grill, loosely cover it in tin foil, and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • Serve beer can chicken with mashed potatoes and grilled veggies to make a complete meal.
  • Shred beer can chicken and use it in soups, on top of salads, or in tacos.
  • Leftovers are great mixed with a little mayonnaise and piled into sandwiches.
  • To bake beer can chicken in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the chicken on the beer can and set it in a deep-walled roasting pan. Bake the chicken until the juices run clear and the breasts register 165°F, about 65 minutes.
Storage: Store beer can chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Calories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 24gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 1255mgPotassium: 304mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 965IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)
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