Savory Beer Can Chicken Recipe with Easy Herb Butter Glaze
A flavorful and juicy beer can chicken roasted with a simple herb butter glaze, perfect for backyard BBQs and gatherings. The beer steams the chicken from inside while the herb butter adds rich, savory depth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Whole chicken (about 4 to 5 pounds / 1.8 to 2.3 kg), fresh or thawed, giblets removed
- Can of beer (12 oz / 355 ml), lager or pale ale recommended
- Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons / 60 grams), softened
- Fresh garlic (3 cloves), minced
- Fresh herbs (2 tablespoons each of chopped parsley, thyme, and rosemary)
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons / 30 ml)
- Kosher salt (1 tablespoon / 15 grams)
- Freshly ground black pepper (1 teaspoon / 5 grams)
- Paprika (1 teaspoon / 2 grams), optional
- Lemon (1, cut in half)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven or grill to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, mix softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme, and rosemary to prepare the herb butter glaze. Set aside at room temperature.
- Pat the whole chicken dry with paper towels, removing any excess fat or feathers.
- Rub olive oil all over the chicken skin, then season evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, and paprika. Season inside the cavity with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Stuff the halved lemon inside the chicken cavity.
- Open the beer and pour out about half to one-third of it, leaving the can partially full.
- Carefully slide the chicken cavity over the beer can so it stands upright. Secure with a beer can holder if available, or place on a rimmed pan or grill rack.
- Transfer the chicken setup to the oven or grill and roast for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Check internal temperature after 1 hour; it should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Every 20 minutes, brush the herb butter glaze over the chicken skin to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness; juices should run clear.
- Carefully remove the chicken from the beer can and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Notes
If skin browns too fast, tent loosely with foil. Use oven mitts when handling hot beer cans. For non-alcoholic version, use non-alcoholic beer or sparkling apple cider. For dairy-free glaze, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. Let chicken rest before carving to retain juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: beer can chicken, herb butter glaze, roasted chicken, BBQ chicken, easy chicken recipe, backyard BBQ, savory chicken