The smoked beer can chicken has been around for a long time. It has become the go-to way to smoke a whole chicken, and for a good reason! Here’s a great recipe both for beginners and the more seasoned Pitmasters.

What you will need:

1 Whole Chicken
12oz can of Beer (any beer will do, go for the cheapest one)
Vegetable cooking spray
All Purpose Seasoning (recipe found below)
Your favorite BBQ seasoning
Meat injector and injection liquid

Smoked Beer Can Chicken Step-by-Step

Remove the chicken from any packaging it came in. If your chicken came packaged with giblets, remove those from the cavity. Then rinse the bird under cool water and pat it dry.

Next, season the chicken. The recipe for the All Purpose (A.P.) seasoning used here is as follows:

1 cup Salt
½ cup Granulated Garlic
¼ cup Black Pepper
1 tsp Parsley (dried)
1 tsp Oregano (dried)

Mix the ingredients. You should have enough A.P. seasoning for several chickens (or any other meat).

Spray the outside of the bird with cooking spray, then sprinkle with A.P. both on the outside outside and inside the cavity. Next apply a layer of BBQ rub, again, both outside and inside.

Prepare the injection liquid according to the instructions on the product. Hit each breast 3 or 4 times just off the breast bone. Move the needle to the lower side of the breast and pump injection down the bottom side. Move down to the legs and stick it a couple times and then go in through each thigh.

Pour out (or drink) about ¼ of the beer and open up the top a little so steam can escape. Fit the chicken on the beer can so that it can balance while “sitting”. This might be challenging, and you might want to invest in a rack.

Once the Beer Can Chicken is sitting on the can, it’s ready to go on the smoker. Get the temperature up to 300℉, and prepare it for indirect cooking. Add some smoking wood to preference.

RELATED: 5 Basic Tips For Smoking Meat

Place the beer can chicken on the pit and close the lid. The target internal temperature is 175℉ in the thigh and 165℉ in the breast. Make sure to check both.

Move the chicken off the smoker, and let it rest for 15 minutes. Remove the beer can, carve the bird up and enjoy your smoked beer can chicken!

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