Beer Can BBQ Whole Chicken Recipe

How To Prepare Beer Can BBQ Whole Chicken?

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or other vegetable oil

• 1 (12-ounce) can beer, room temperature, opened and half-full

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt or sea salt

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves, or 1 tablespoon dried thyme

• 1 tablespoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare the grill: If you are using charcoal, put the coals on one side of the grill, leaving another side free of coals. If you are using a gas grill, fire up only half of the burners.
2. Season the chicken & rub it with oil: Mix the salt, pepper, & thyme in a little bowl, & rub it all over the chicken. Rub the chicken all over with olive oil.
3. Lower chicken onto half-filled beer can: Make sure the beer can is open, & only half-filled with beer you can put a sprig of thyme (or another herb like rosemary or sage) in the beer can. Lower the chicken on to the open can, so that the chicken is sitting upright, with the can in its cavity.
4. Grill on indirect heat: Place the chicken on the cool side of the grill, using the legs & beer can as a tripod to support the chicken on the grill & keep it stable. Cover the grill & walk away. Do not even check the chicken for at least an hour. After an hour, check the chicken & refresh the coals if needed (if you are using a charcoal grill).
5. Keep checking the chicken every 15 minutes or so, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F.
6. The total cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken, & the internal temperature of the grill.
7. If you don't have a meat thermometer, a way to tell if the chicken is done is to poke it deeply with a knife (the thigh is a good place to do this), if the juices run clear, not pink, the chicken is done.
8. Carefully transfer the chicken as its very HOT: Lift the chicken, beer can still inside, & move it to a tray. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes. Carefully lift the chicken off of the can. If it gets stuck, lay the chicken on its side, & pull out the can with tongs.