Can-Can Chicken

Submitted by Nimz_

"This chicken was so moist and juicy. We loved the blend of spices. It takes a little work to get the spice blend under the skin, or for me it did, but was so worth it. Adapted from Taste of Home. Prep time does not include refrigeration. Hope you enjoy"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 20mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 4-5

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup apple cider
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced small enough to fit in the beer can
• 1⁄4 lemon, sliced small enought to fit in the beer can
• 1 small onion
• 1 (3 1/2-4 lb) broiler or (3 1/2-4 lb) broiler-fryer chickens
• 1 (12 ounce) can beer

directions

1. Mix the apple cider and balsamic vinegar together in a small spray bottle and set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine the kosher salt, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika and ground mustard.
3. Loosen skin from around the chicken breast, thighs and legs.
4. Rub the spice mixture onto and under skin and some inside the cavity. Be sure to get a good portion under the skin.
5. Tuck wing tips behind the back and tie. (This will keep the wing tips from burning).
6. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
7. Pour out half of the beer. (Okay, what was I thinking. Drink half of the beer :) ).
8. Add the garlic and lemon to the can of beer.
9. Poke additional holes in the top of the can with a can opener.
10. Holding the chicken with legs pointed down, lower chicken over the can so it fills the body cavity. I used one of the stands that they sell at Walmart for $2 bucks and it worked very well.
11. Insert the whole onion into the neck hole as far as you can.
12. Spray chicken with the apple cider and balsamic vinegar mixture. Spray again half-way through cooking.
13. Place chicken over drip pan.
14. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into a thigh reads 180 degrees. Remove chicken from grill.
15. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes.
16. Remove chicken from can (for me this took the help of DH.
17. Enjoy.

Reviews

[Nif_H]

Tender, delicious and easy to put together - we really liked this! I made as directed and the spice was really nice. I have no idea how long it should have taken because my BBQ decided to malfunction and I didn't notice that until I went to check it one hour into cooking! It was very very good and I would make it again. With my BBQ working properly that is! Made for my adopted chef for Fall PAC 2009. Thanks! :)

 

[2Bleu]

I have made 'beer butt chicken' many times before, always guaranteed tender. Therefore I broiled chicken peices in the oven for preparation of this dish, since that is what I had on hand and what I was mainly going for here was the blend of seasonings you offered in this recipe. I wasn't dissapointed. I omitted the vinegar for obvious reasons (ovens and vinegar don't get along well), and used all of the other spices indicated. It had a nice flavor that was very spicy and robust with a very nice after taste also, like a second burst of flavors. :)awesome.

 

[Tamaretta]

I didn't have the cider or vinegar, but I used everything else and this made a very moist, tasty chicken! Thanks for posting!

 

[Bayou Andy]

Great recipe...May I suggest one change? There are soooo many utensils for cooking chicken this way. I personally don't like using the beer can because of the can itself (i.e. the paint on the exterior). Heck, they even make one for turkeys. I did enjoy the recipe. Thanks Nimz.

 

[Mareesme]

"Now that I found you I'm never letting go..." A new twist to the beer can chicken we've been cooking on our gas grill for years. The only change I made was to stuff lemon slices in with the onion in the bird's cavity. YUM!