If you want to make a chicken that is guaranteed to be succulent, tender and juicy, you can’t go wrong with the tried and true roasting method of beer can chicken. Sometimes called “drunken chicken” (or, for even more literal reasons, “beer butt chicken”) it’s a simple method of roasting a chicken upright over a full can of beer. While it may sound like an expert-level cooking technique, it’s actually quite a simple method to achieve a nearly perfect bird that even inexperienced cooks can handle. Since the sugars in the alcohol tenderize the meat while infusing layers of complex flavors, it’s a great way to get familiar with oven roasting a chicken.

If you want to know how to make drunken chicken, read on!

Roasting the Perfect Beer Can Chicken In the Oven

This technique is more commonly known for being executed on the grill. Obviously, you will get a smokier and earthier flavor making beer can chicken on an open flame, but you can always put this recipe together and enjoy perhaps the best roasted chicken you’ve ever had right from your own oven. For those of you who don’t have access to a grill (hello, apartment dwellers!), so can’t make delectable beer chicken on the grill, the roasting a chicken in the oven is your only option. While you can play around with rubs, the seasonings for roasting a chicken using the beer can method should really be simple so you don’t overwhelm the flavor of the beer-infused meat.

Beer Can Chicken Recipe

Follow 10 easy steps to make flawless beer can chicken:

Ingredients:

  • 1 can beer (yes, domestic, non-premium will suffice)
  • 1 2-3 pound bird
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 2 smashed garlic cloves
  • Total Time (prep and cooking): 1 ½ hours
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
  2. Clean the chicken of gizzards, neck. Give it a gentle wash and pat the cavity and the skin dry with paper towels
  3. Gently rub salt and pepper all over the cavity and the skin
  4. Chug or pour about 2-3 gulps of beer from the can (so its ¾ full)
  5. Drop the two cloves of smashed garlic into the can
  6. Place the beer can chicken holder in a large, oven-safe skillet or roasting pan open-side up (note: there will be juices, so make sure there’s at least a 1-inch rim around the sides)
  7. Place the chicken on top of the can, so the can is completely inserted into the cavity
  8. Put roasting dish or pan in oven and cook at 450 degrees for 10 minutes
  9. Reduce heat to 350 and roast for another hour, or until thickest part of the meat reads 165-degrees
  10. When finished, remove from oven and let it sit for at least 10 minutes to let the juices settle before serving

Side Dishes and Beer Pairings

If you really want to match the flavor of beer can chicken with beer, grab your favorite lager. The light, crisp finish will pair beautifully with the earthy, rich meat. If you want to make it easy for sides, pick up a can or two of baked beans at the store and heat them up. For a side dish with a bit of acid (yes, this will pair well with your lager, too!) check out our recipe for cucumber tomato salad.

Here’s another beer can chicken recipe we love: