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    Beer Can Chicken

    Updated June 25, 2025 / By Natalie Mortimer

    Beer can chicken is a completely silly recipe that also happens to be seriously delicious.

    Homemade juicy, cooked beer can chicken resting upright on a serving platter, golden brown and ready to carve.
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    Beer Can Chicken

    While the origins of this unusual-yet-iconic dish are murky, everyone seems to agree that beer can chicken was created in the South. Certain recipes have a collegiate vibe, and beer can chicken sits on top of the heap as the most summery, college-campus-y of all. You barbecue a whole chicken, balanced on a partially-full can of beer. What could possibly be more novel or silly or...wait? Delicious!? Yep, this beer can chicken recipe is both a silly AND completely delectable way to cook a whole chicken on the grill. 

    Perfectly seasoned whole beer can chicken cooking upright on a grill, skin turning crisp and golden.

    A super simple beer can chicken rub ensures that the outside is well-seasoned, while the beer lends a hint of flavor and (maybe) some moisture to the chicken meat. Juicy, tender and most of all easy, my beer can chicken recipe (aka “beer butt chicken”) is definitely the most fun you’ll ever have grilling a whole chicken. If you’d prefer a more basic whole chicken recipe, try our roast chicken. 

    a whole chicken, a can of beer, salt, sugar, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder laid out to make beer can chicken

    Beer Can Chicken Seasoning

    A really great whole chicken, grilled to juicy perfection doesn’t need much help to be delicious. With charred skin and a bit of smoke from the grill, it’ll be rich and savory no matter what, so I keep my beer can chicken seasoning pretty basic! Just mix together: 

    • Kosher salt
    • Brown sugar
    • Paprika
    • Black pepper
    • Garlic powder
    salt, sugar, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder to season a whole chicken to make beer can chicken

    What Is the Best Beer for Beer Can Chicken?

    The best beer for beer can chicken is the kind of beer that you’d sip while you watch the grill. Imagine a hot day, breeze blowing but plenty of ambient heat from that grill: What’s in your hand? For me, it’s a lager every time. All-American, mass-produced lagers are the gold standard for beer can chicken! Inexpensive stuff like a can of Miller, or a Budweiser are perfect, or I’ve also had good luck with Stella in a can, or a Montucky Cold Snack or even a good old PBR. 

    a whole raw chicken being generously seasoned on a baking sheet getting prepped for beer can chicken

    To make this recipe gluten free, use a gluten-free beer, or if you want it to be non-alcoholic, use non-alcoholic beer (there are SO many good ones now) or even a canned cola works. 

    A whole raw chicken generously seasoned and being placed upright onto a beer can preparing to grill

    How to Make Beer Can Chicken

    Your process for making beer can chicken will be slightly different if you’re doing it in the oven or on the grill! We’ll give you directions and some tips for both methods, and be sure to check out the full recipe below for all the details. 

    1. Crack open a beer. Drink some of it. Is this not the best first step of a recipe ever??
    2. Mix up the beer can chicken seasoning rub!
    3. Season the whole chicken inside and out with the spice blend.
    4. Beer can the chicken! Working carefully, slip the half-empty beer can into the cavity of the bird until about two inches of the can is left out of the chicken. NOTE: To keep the chicken from falling over, you can also buy special beer can chicken holders that provide extra stability.
    5. Set the can and chicken on the grill or place it in the oven. Now, you’ll let the heat do the rest. Start checking for doneness after an hour or so, but know that it may take up to 90 minutes. 
    Perfectly seasoned whole beer can chicken cooking upright on a grill, skin turning crisp and golden.

    What Temperature Should Beer Can Chicken Be Cooked To?

    Whether you’ve grilled it or cooked it in the oven, your beer can chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken thigh reads 165°F. Depending on the size of your chicken, your beer can chicken cook time will vary. A general rule is 15-20 minutes per pound, but always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness. Start checking the temp at an hour and 15 minutes. When you’re checking the internal temperature, make sure that you’re not touching the bone. 

    Homemade juicy, cooked beer can chicken resting upright on a serving platter, golden brown and ready to carve.

    What to Serve With Beer Can Chicken

    Beer can chicken is a classic summer BBQ recipe and is best paired with other classic summer fare! It’s a total no-brainer. 

    • While the grill is on, cook up some grilled corn on the cob for SURE. With chicken and corn, you could basically stop there and call dinner done. Or, keep going!
    • Make up some of our favorite summer salads, like Potato salad and  Macaroni Salad.
    • If you’ve got a big crowd, set out a big bowl of Chips and Salsa to complete this backyard party.
    Homemade juicy, cooked beer can chicken resting upright on a serving platter, golden brown and ready to carve.

    More Grilled Chicken Greatness

    A Silly Recipe That’s Seriously Good! 

    For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper, and we’d love to hear what you think of this recipe in the comments below. Happy cooking!

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    Beer Can Chicken Recipe

    Updated June 25, 2025

    By Natalie Mortimer

    • Serves:  6
    • Prep Time:  10 min
    • Cook Time:  1 hr 30 min
    • Calories:  455
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    Description

    Beer can chicken is a completely silly recipe that also happens to be seriously delicious.

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
    • 1 tablepsoon brown sugar
    • 1 tablepsoon paprika
    • 1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • 1 tablepsoon garlic powder
    • 1 (4-5-pound) chicken
    • 1 (12-ounce) can lager beer, (such as Budweiser, Miller Lite, or Stella Artois)

    Method

    1. Preheat the grill on medium heat (350°F-375°F). If using charcoal, arrange the coals on one side of the grill.

      a whole chicken, a can of beer, salt, sugar, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder laid out to make beer can chicken

    2. In a small bowl combine the salt, sugar, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder.

      salt, sugar, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder to season a whole chicken to make beer can chicken

    3. Season the chicken inside and out with the spice blend. Pour out (or drink) half of the beer and secure the chicken cavity over the beer can, pressing down until only 2-inches of the can is showing at the bottom.

      a whole raw chicken being generously seasoned on a baking sheet getting prepped for beer can chicken

    4. Set the chicken-topped can (right side up) on one side of the grill. Turn off the burners directly under the chicken. (If using a charcoal grill, avoid placing the chicken directly over the hot coals. Cover the grill. Cook until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F on the thickest part of the thigh, about 90 minutes.

      A whole raw chicken generously seasoned and being placed upright onto a beer can preparing to grill

    5. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.

      Homemade juicy, cooked beer can chicken resting upright on a serving platter, golden brown and ready to carve.

    Notes

    Oven Method

    1. Preheat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the lower ⅓ of the oven.
    2. In a small bowl, combine the salt, sugar, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder.
    3. Season the chicken inside and out with the spice blend. Pour out (or drink) half of the beer and secure the chicken cavity over the beer can, pressing down until only 2-inches of the can is showing at the bottom.
    4. Set the chicken-topped can (right side up) into a cast iron skillet or baking dish. Roast the chicken 15 minutes per pound, or until internal temperature taken at the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, and the juices run clear. Begin checking for doneness when 20 minutes remain.
    5. Remove the skillet from the oven, carefully lay the chicken flat, breast side up, on the skillet or in baking dish and remove the beer can.
    6. Turn on the broiler and return the chicken to the oven. Broil until the skin is browned and crispy, 5-8 minutes.
    7. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board; let rest  for 10 minutes before carving.

     

    Serve with your favorite sauces. We suggest Buttermilk Ranch, Chimichurri or Romesco.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories 455
    • Protein 62 g
    • Carbohydrates 5 g
    • Total Fat 19 g
    • Dietary Fiber 1 g
    • Cholesterol 240 mg
    • Sodium 2122 mg
    • Total Sugars 3 g

    Beer Can Chicken

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

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    • Laureen

      I am trying it in the over tonight and setting the temp on 350. I used Weber grill can Chicken rub in my chicken. Will see how it comes out. Also will put in the broiler for 10 mins after I bake it for 75 mins.

      can't wait to hear how it turns out!

    • Laura

      How would I cook one in the oven?

      We haven't tested this in the oven yet but it is on our list to do! If you try it, we would recommend baking it on 350 for probably from 60 - 75 minutes. Make sure the juices run clear and internal temperature is 165 before taking out of the oven. Good luck!

    • Anne

      Love the chicken. Cooked in the oven. It was juicy and tender. Flavor was excellent.
      Very easy. It was raining today so next time I'll do it on the grill!

      Thanks Anne, so happy you loved it!

    • Ann

      Awesome rub! We make beer can chicken a lot but this is the first time the flavor of the rub really came through. The brown sugar especially give the chicken a beautiful crispy skin. I had a 3.5# chicken and mine was done on the charcoal grill in 60 minutes. Added applewood for smoking.

      Thanks Ann! Glad you enjoyed it! The addition of applewood sounds delicious!

    • Alexandra

      OMG. This was the best! And so simple! I have a charcoal barbecue and it only took an hour to cook an insanely delicious, tender chicken that was beautifully crisp on the outside. Thank you!