This recipe was popular in the 1980s. It involves setting a roasting chicken on an open can of beer and cooking it on a grill or in the oven. The outside of the chicken becomes crispy and salty, while the inside stays moist because of the steam. If you do not want to use beer, you can use other liquids to keep the chicken moist. Some options are ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or broth or wine.

For wine or broth, fill a narrow-neck mason jar two-thirds full with your favorite wine or broth and set the chicken on top of the open mason jar. These liquids do not change the flavor of the chicken much but help keep it juicy and flavorful with crispy skin during cooking.

Ingredients

• 4 lb. Chicken
• 2 tablespoons minced flat leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons of fresh Rosemary, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic – grated or pressed
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 4 Tablespoons of cold butter sliced into thin pieces

Chicken Prep with Herbs

1. Combine parsley, rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil in a bowl.
2. Gently slide your hand between the skin and meat being careful not to rip the skin.
3. Rub about half of the herb mixture on meat, don’t forget the thighs.
4. Slide ½ of the sliced butter inside the skin on top of the herb mixture.
5. Rub the chicken skin with the rest of the butter and herb mixture, sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Process

1. Wash the unopened beer can with hot soapy water, dry.
2. Open can and pour half the beer into a glass for your pleasure.
3. Puncture 2 more holes in the top of the beer can with a can opener.
4. Place can on a pie plate if cooking in the oven.
5. Lower bird onto the can – the can must be inside the cavity. Use legs and bottom of can as a tripod.
6. Roast until an instant read thermometer reads 180°F. inserted in thigh.
7. Carefully transfer chicken and beer can to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
8. Carefully lift chicken off of the beer can (you may need two people for this, one holding the can and the other one lifting the chicken)
9. Discard beer or other liquid from the can. Slice Chicken and enjoy.

Tagged: beer, beer can chicken, Chicken, dinner, Food, recipe, recipes