Beer Can Chicken (dodgy pics)

[Adro85]

Hey guys

Well, I'm new here and I've loved experimenting in the kitchen for a few years; my old man got it right when he said "If you can read, you can cook". I've so far enjoyed reading the Geek Food section, there's some killer recipes in here that I'll definitely be trying.

Anyway, I cooked this tonight and figured I'd share because it turned out well. Next time I'll take photos of the whole process - this was done in a rush so I didn't get the chance.

Ingredients

* One whole uncooked chicken - I used a free range chook from Woolies
* Enough of your favourite seasoning to rub into entire chicken - I used Chinese five-spice, sea salt and pepper, but will try with lemon and cracked pepper or even some cayenne pepper next time.
* Oil, to help stick seasoning to chicken - I used spray canola for ease of use
* Can of beer (a dozen should do it )

Method:

* While this is heating, remove the guts from your chook (if it came with them still in) and rub the bird down with the oil.
* Rub the seasoning into the chook skin, making sure to thoroughly coat under the wings and in all the nooks and crannies around the legs, etc.
* Leave covered in fridge for ~4hrs so flavours can infuse into meat. I rushed mine, but I'll definitely marinate it longer next time.


* Preheat your hooded barbecue to ~200*C
* Remove marinating chicken from fridge.
* Open first beer can. Drink half of the can - now the chef is also marinated.
(Note: You might find the first beer is inadequate for use in the recipe. Continue with beer-drinking step until you find the perfect can for the cooking. This may take awhile.)
* Open chicken's arse with both hands and slip over top of half-full beer. Because my chook was small, I poured the beer into an empty Red Bull can, which was pretty much the perfect size for the bird.
* Stand can, supporting chook, on hot barbecue grill and pull down hood.
* At around the hour mark (use your judgment) , turn the heat down on your barbecue. ~150*C should be adequate.
* Leave on low heat for around another hour, but again let common sense prevail.
* Remove chicken, being careful not to burn the shit out of your hands - the beer can WILL be hot, funnily enough.
* Rest for a few minutes so you don't lose any of the sweet, sweet beer juices.
* Carve and serve with your choice of sides. I did roast potatoes with cracked pepper and thyme done in an aluminium tray on the hotplate, and tomatoes stuffed with a rice salad I got at Woolies, topped with grated tasty cheese.

..

The finished product (excuse crappy quality).

Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did - the meat was not fatty at all.

Cheers,


Adro

[Stooge007]

was there any extra support for the chicken while cooking? or just the beer can?

always wanted to try this!

[Bionic]

Ive made this before. The chicken Turns out soooooo Moist..

When I made it I didn't need any other support. I just took all my oven trays out and moved one to the very bottom. When I chucked the Can up the chicken it stood on its end pretty easily

[tuchan]

Sold me, I am doing this today

[spankyofoz]

Done this before a few times, always comes out well. The only drama I have is the extremities burning, so I wrap a bit of foil over the ends of wings and drunsticks

[Alex]

I've seen variations of this recipe a few times and it looks fantastic. My only concern is that contaminants from the can would leach into the chicken during cooking? Does this happen or am I being a paranoid hippy?

[Adro85]

Originally Posted by Alex

I've seen variations of this recipe a few times and it looks fantastic. My only concern is that contaminants from the can would leach into the chicken during cooking? Does this happen or am I being a paranoid hippy?

I'm gonna go with paranoid hippie I don't think any of the actual chicken flesh was touching the can - it only had contact with the skeleton under the meat. Also, the can was completely unscathed except for the expected drippings from the chicken, so it's not like the aluminium was rusting or something into the bird.

[Bionic]

Found some pics of my chicken that i did a few years back


Click to view full-sized image!
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Click to view full-sized image!
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EDIT: yes that is a soft drink can. I emptied the contents and filled it with home brew

[kjparker]

Here's one I am doing today, doing it on the bbq, will see how it turns out:

Before:



After:




It turned out really well, I slightly overcooked it, it wasnt dry, but it wasnt as moist as I would have liked. The veges needed a bit longer, but were edible!

Lessons Learnt:

• Put the veges in about 30 minutes before the bird
• dont use as much seasoning (i used moroccan)
• Dont cook the bird for quite as long

[Smoke87]

Could never do this, reminds me of Goatse too much

Not concerned about the chemicals released?

[dean_is_not]

Reckon this would work in an oven? I don't own a barbecue Yet

[username_taken]

Originally Posted by dean_is_not

Reckon this would work in an oven? I don't own a barbecue Yet

yup! I've done it in the oven before.

[3stars]

this is how its done by the master
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ScdUht-pM6s

[dean_is_not]

Originally Posted by username_taken

yup! I've done it in the oven before.

Excellent!

[Nattynoos]

That looks soooo wrong....