Smoked beer can chicken is even better when stuffed with fresh herbs to flavor the bird from the inside out.
5 from 1 vote

By Christie Vanover | Published October 10, 2016 | Last Updated February 22, 2023

smoked chicken in pan standing up with herbs in top

Beer can chicken is a fun recipe that’s been around for a while. It involves resting a chicken upright on an opened beer can. During the cook, the beer creates a steam inside the bird, making it extra juicy.

You can use any flavor beer – or even soda – but for this recipe, I’m going with a rich Guinness stout beer. Since it comes in bottles, I just emptied out a soda can and poured the Guinness into the can.

Then, I snipped off a medley of herbs from my garden and stuffed them through the bird into the can. The steam will release the natural oils from the herbs, flavoring the bird even more on the inside.

chicken in pan on grill standing up with herbs in top

To flavor the outside, you can use any flavor BBQ Rub. My Chicken Rub is a great option.

To steady things out, I used a beer can chicken roaster rack.This allows you to easily move the chicken to and from the grill.  You can also add additional herbs to the side.

Smoke the bird low for about 3 hours. Then, crank the heat to get that irresistible crispy skin.

smoked chicken in pan standing up with herbs in top

Smoked Beer Can Chicken

Smoked beer can chicken is even better when stuffed with fresh herbs to flavor the bird from the inside out.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
 

Instructions
 

  • Empty a soda or beer can. Fill it with Guinness. Place the can in a beer can chicken roaster rack.
  • Rinse off the chicken. Pat it dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with the rub. Place the chicken cavity over the can. Fill the can with stems of fresh herbs.
  • Heat the smoker to 225 degrees with hickory and apple wood, chips or pellets.
  • Grill for about 3 hours or until the thigh meat reaches 155 degrees.
  • Increase the grill heat to 325 degrees. Brush the bird with vegetable oil. Continue cooking until the skin gets crispy and the meat registers at 170 degrees.
  • Remove from the grill and enjoy right away.

Nutrition

Calories: 445kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 35gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 132mgPotassium: 357mgVitamin A: 265IUVitamin C: 3.1mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1.7mg

This estimate was created using an online nutrition calculator

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