This Memphis Beer Can Chicken calls for a traditional Memphis rub that infuses amazing flavor into the chicken. Memphis is famous for its dry-rubbed meats, and now you can try their BBQ technique on beer can chicken!
We’ve all heard the debate about beer can chicken. Some say the beer doesn’t flavor the bird. It doesn’t matter what the beer does; the can is there to prop up the chicken. The key components for a flavorful chicken are the smoker (or grill) and the Memphis rub, which create a mouthwatering meal. Plus, beer can chicken is fun to make! Just make sure to have a reliable instant-read thermometer handy so you can remove that beer can chicken off the grill at the right moment.
Two-Zone Cooking
- If you’re using a gas or charcoal grill, you’ll need to set up a two-zone fire. For charcoal, that means banking the hot coals on one side of the grill to produce direct (radiant) heat, while the side without coals forms the indirect (convection) cooking space.
- For a three-burner gas unit, keep the center burner off and turn the burners on either side to their highest setting. The same principle applies to a two-burner unit. Leave one burner off, and turn the other burner on high.
- If using a pellet grill or electric smoker, aim for a cooking temperature between 325-350 degrees F.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, about 4 pounds
- 1 can of beer, 12 ounces (lager)
- 1/4 cup Memphis Rub
How to Make Beer Can Chicken
- Clean chicken: Remove the giblets and the neck from the chicken.
- Add flavor: Apply Memphis rub all over the chicken, including inside the cavity and under the breast skin.
- Refrigerate: Place chicken onto a large pan and set into the refrigerator uncovered for 1 hour.
Grilling
- Time to preheat your grill. Prepare a two-zone fire for indirect cooking. See instructions above. Set an aluminum drip pan next to the coals and place grates on top.
- Chicken set-up: Remove pan with chicken from the refrigerator.
- Open a can of beer and pour out half of it out (preferably into a chilled glass for you to enjoy later)—Pierce two more holes on the top of the beer can.
- Adjust chicken on top of the can, then carefully place the bird on the grill balanced by the beer can.
- Cooking: Grill over indirect heat for 1 1/2-2 hours or until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 175 degrees.
- Rest and carve: Once cooked, remove chicken from the grill, with beer can still intact, and let stand for an additional 10 minutes before carving. Serve with a little Memphis Barbecue Sauce on the side for that added Memphis touch.
Carving your Memphis Beer Can Chicken
- To carve, carefully remove the beer can and discard. Place chicken onto a clean cutting board, and remove legs and wings first. Then, remove breast sections, and slice into 3/4″ pieces.
- Store leftover beer can chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. Freeze for up to 6 weeks.
Recommended Side Dishes
Memphis Style Beer Can Chicken
This Memphis Beer Can Chicken calls for a traditional Memphis rub that infuses mouthwatering flavor into the chicken!
Print Pin RateServings: 5 servings
Calories: 364kcal
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken about 4 pounds
- 1 12 ounce can of beer (lager) room temperature
For rub:
- 1/4 cup Memphis Rub
Instructions
- Remove giblets and the neck from the chicken.
- Apply Memphis rub all over the chicken, including inside the cavity, and under the breast skin. Place chicken onto a large pan and set into the refrigerator uncovered, for 1 hour.
- Time to preheat your grill. Prepare a two-zone fire for indirect cooking.
- Remove pan with chicken from the refrigerator.Open a can of beer and pour out half of it (preferably into a chilled glass for you to enjoy later). Pierce two more holes on the top of the beer can.
- Adjust chicken on top of the can. Place the bird on the grill balanced by the beer can. Grill over indirect medium heat for 1 1/2-2 hours or until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 175 degrees.
- Once cooked, remove chicken from the grill, with beer can still intact, and let stand for an additional 10 minutes before carving.
- To carve, carefully remove the beer can and discard. Place chicken onto a clean cutting board, and carve as usual. Serve with your favorite side dishes.
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 4servings | Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 369mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 525IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 6mg
