BBQ Beer Can Chicken

Tonight, we were supposed to have some people over for dinner, but they didn't show, so we ended up with a lot of chicken! It is a long story. I made 2 beer can chickens on the BBQ, smashed dill potatoes and a salad. All I can say about the chicken is make it, and make it soon. It is so moist, spicy and delicious.

Two finished chickens on the BBQ - so very, very tasty

This recipe is done in two steps: the spice rub and the actual cooking part. To start with, here is how you make the spice rub, which you can easily google. I modified one that I found online, but any basic spice rub will do. This one was spicy!

In a bowl, combine the following:

- 1/4 cup paprika

-1 Tbsp brown sugar

-1 Tbsp white sugar

-2 tsp salt

-1 tsp celery salt

-1 tsp black pepper

-2 tsp cayenne pepper

-1 tsp onion powder

-1 tsp garlic powder

-1 tsp chili powder

Mix well.

When you are ready to make your chickens, rub them all over with the above spice rub. I had enough for my two chickens with the above mixture. Then, drink half of two cans of beer (or ask your other half to drink it, which shouldn't be a problem), leaving half the beer in the cans.

Place the chicken over the can of beer and then place that chicken in a cooking pan, using the can and the legs as a "tripod" of sorts. Through trial and error, we now use disposable aluminum pans (the kind for making turkey in) and just recycle them when we are done. Between the chicken, beer and spice rub, you need a pan with high sides. Once your chickens are on the cans, place them on a preheated BBQ. To preheat your BBQ, turn all of the burners on med-high and then turn off half of the BBQ when you are ready to cook. Place your pan on the off side of the BBQ so that it cooks through indirect heat. After an hour and a bit, check your chicken with a meat thermometer. When it is done, let it rest for at least 15 minutes then carve and enjoy!!

One whole chicken and one carved chicken ready to eat

Dill smashed potatoes, with green onions from the garden

I thought that beer can chicken was simply a lot of work for a roasted chicken but I was very wrong. The result is beyond juicy and flavorful. Make it soon, you won't be sorry!

In Loic news, he is currently cutting his 6th tooth, poor little squid.

E