The Ultimate Beer Can Chicken Recipe
Beer can chicken is guaranteed to be juicy, succulent and packed with flavour every time. Choose the best quality whole free range chicken, your favourite beer and serve up with roasted vegetables for the perfect chicken dinner with a twist!
What is Beer Can Chicken?
Beer can chicken stands the bird upright over an open can during cooking, allowing even heat circulation and the steam from the beer to keep the meat juicy and tender throughout. Choose a beer you'd actually drink — and use the leftovers for an ale gravy.
The Ultimate Beer Can Chicken Recipe
Ingredients: 1 whole free-range chicken (around 2kg), 1 can beer or lager, olive oil, salt and pepper. For the rub: 1 tsp each of ground cumin, chilli powder, smoked paprika and brown sugar (sweet and spicy), OR 1 tsp each of fennel seeds, ground coriander, fresh rosemary and thyme (aromatic and herby). Roasted vegetables: 1 aubergine, 1 red pepper, 1 yellow pepper, 1 red onion, 2 courgettes, 200g cherry tomatoes, 4 garlic cloves.
Method:
- Preheat oven to 200°C and bring chicken to room temperature
- Prep and add vegetables to a large deep tray with olive oil, salt and pepper — place on the lowest shelf
- Mix rub ingredients with 3 tbsp olive oil and coat the chicken thoroughly
- Open the beer can, pour out a quarter, place upright in an ovenproof dish and lower the chicken over the can so it stands upright
- Roast for 1 hr 20 minutes until juices run clear
- Rest under foil, remove can carefully, squeeze roasted garlic into the vegetables and serve
