In the land of Australia where the sun blesses the typography with its warmth and the air is filled with the scent of eucalyptus, a culinary tradition prevails as distinctive as the country itself. One such unique dish from the heart of Australia is the Beer Can Chicken, which incorporates the fondness of outdoor cooking with a hint of creativity, resulting in a culinary masterpiece that is not just a treat for your tastebuds but also a wonder to behold. Preparing Beer Chicken is not just a recipe that you will follow rather it is a culinary adventure that comes with a lot of fun and flavour.

From the bustling streets of Sydney to the peaceful vicinity of Adelaide, Beer Can Chicken is one of those dishes that make Australia so popular among food enthusiasts. So to take you on the journey of How to make the Best Beer Can Chicken in Australia, we have come up with this amazing blog wherein we will teach you how you can prepare the Best Beer Can Chicken in the Australian way, what are waiting for, grab your ingredients and a chilled beer, let's get started.

What’s  so special about Beer Can Chicken in Australia 

Beer Can Chicken is a traditional yet pretty easy dish that pleases the hearts of barbecue lovers and home cooks alike. But what makes it so special isn't just its unique preparation and the delicious results it provides, here are some other reasons that make Beer Can Chicken in Australia, so loved!

One of the most common issues faced during the preparation of any chicken dish is the loss of moisture, which makes you end up with dry and overcooked meat. This is not so in the case of Beer Can chicken, the reason being the Beer. This is pretty simple to understand, while the chicken roasts, the beer from the can evaporates and provides moisture to the chicken the steamed beer not only helps in the moisture retention but also provides a unique and subtle flavour to it. 

Beer Can Chicken is a ground for culinary innovation. You can experiment with the type of beer to use, the spices, the herbs and even the marinade. With all these options to try, each beer can chicken is a different version of this classic Australian masterpiece.

Even tho the beer provides an ample amount of moisture to the chicken, the dish does not compromise on that Crisp chicken bites. The vertical positioning of the chicken allows the heat to distribute evenly which results in the beautiful golden brown colour of the chicken, leaving it crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.  

Know your Ingredients 

Knowing the ingredients before diving into a recipe is very similar to an artist getting to know about its inspiration and colour before painting, you never know what will surprise you. So here is an insight into the magical ingredients that are used to make this delicious and lip-smacking Beer Can Chicken.

Chicken 

The first step towards making this delicious recipe is choosing the right kind of chicken to roast. While in Australia the quality of ingredients is given paramount importance, it is important to select high-quality organic chicken.  This is so because these chicken varieties not only deliver excellent texture and flavour profile but also promote sustainable farming practices.

Beer’

While there aren't any specifications mentioned in the traditional recipes on which type of beer to use, selecting an Australian Brew can contribute a lot to the flavour of your Chicken. You can always experiment with beers from different brands, but focus more on their taste profile. For instance, a Hoppy IPa can add a hint of bitterness that pairs well with the smokey flavour of the chicken or a porter or stout can offer depth to the dish.

Rubs and Marinades

• Olive oil

Olive oil acts as a medium through which the dry seasonings and spices cling to the chicken and sink deep into it. Apart from this, olive oil also helps in making the chicken crisp, during the roasting process.

• Black Pepper and Sea Salt

These are the basic seasonings that are very important in achieving the final flavour of this delicious Beer Can Chicken.

• Thyme and Rosemary 

These herbs are used in the marinade to deliver a fragrant note to the chicken which also contributes to its deliciousness.

• Paprika 

One of the key ingredients of any marinade, paprika is used to give a smokey yet sweet flavour to the Beer Can Chicken.

• Onion and Garlic Powder

Both these ingredients provide just the right amount of pungency and depth to the dish.

Let's get started!

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken 

• To begin making this delectable dish, start by cleaning the chicken and rinse it well using cold water. Once washed, pat dry it using kitchen towels to get rid of any excess moisture.

Step 2: Make the Rub

• Combine olive oil along with all the other spices in a small bowl. Mix well until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 3: Marination

• Rub the prepared mixture all over the chicken, ensuring that it is well coated on all sides. Make sure to also rub the seasoning inside the chicken as well. Set this aside and let the chicken rest for atleast an hour before grilling.

Step 4: Preparing the Beer Can 

• Open the beer can and remove about one-third of its contents, additionally, you can also remove the entire seal of the beer can, so that more steam can escape the can while the chicken roasts.
• Optionally you can also add some herbs and spices of your liking to the beer along with garlic cloves to infuse more flavours into the chicken.

Step 5: Roasting the Chicken

• Preheat your grill to 375°F (190°C), in case you are using the oven for roasting then preheat it at at the same temperature.
• Now to mount the chicken over the beer can, slowly and carefully slide the chicken on top of it, making sure that the can is inside the cavity.  Position the chicken in a way that it stands upright by using the can as a tripod to support it.
• Place the chicken on the grill or the roasting pan of the oven.  In case you are using a grill, cover the lid and roast for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the temperature has reached 165°F.

Step 5: Serving 

• Once the chicken is cooked well and a golden brown colour is revealed, carefully remove it from the heat and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. After this, carefully remove the beer can, and make sure to wear kitchen gloves to prevent any mishappenings.
• Once the beer can is removed, cut the chicken into pieces and serve along with your favourite sides.

Equipment Used for Making the Best  Beer Can Chicken in Australia

Making the best version of Beer Can Chicken comes down not only to the selection of quality of ingredients but also the equipment. The selection of equipment you make plays a vital role in determining the results of any recipe. Ranging from the type of grill to the quality of thermometers, each piece of equipment contributes a lot towards making this amazing Beer Can Chicken.

For people who like to do it in a classic way and for those who think the smoky flavour of the chicken can only be achieved through charcoal, Grillhound's top-rated collection of Charcoal grills offers a traditional grilling experience, allowing you to infuse your wings with that classic smoky flavour. 

Gas BBQ grills on the other hand are synonymous with convenience and precise temperature control when it comes to grilling.  Grillhound's curated selection of gas BBQs ensures you'll find the perfect option to suit your needs and preferences. With their user-friendly mechanism, they are ideal for grillers of all levels.

A meat thermometer is a must-have for any Grilling Enthusiast and one like Inkbird IBBQ-4T WiFi 4 probe thermometer helps you measure the accurate temperature without any guesswork. Its wireless design makes it very convenient to use, that offers you the freedom to engage in other work while monitoring the temperature.

Serving Suggestions for Beer Can Chicken

Beer Can Chicken is a versatile dish that pairs excellently with a wide variety of side dishes. Ideal for both, a casual outdoor lunch and a formal dinner, here are 5 Side Dish options that you can from to serve your Beer Can Chicken.

The first one on the list is the classic Roasted Sweet Potatoes which are known for their excellent combination with various grilled chicken dishes. The natural sweetness in them complements the savoury flavours of our Beer Can Chicken making them the ideal side. So take advantage of the grill being on, slice the potatoes in wedges and roast them with a sprinkle of salt, pepper and some paprika, you will be good to go.

Serve your Beer Can Chicken with a side of soft and sweet cornbread, and believe it or not they will make an excellent partner to your chicken, soaking up all those delicious juices. 

If you are looking for something on the healthier side then there cant be anything better than Quinao Salad. This light and healthy side with loads of vegetables, beans and cilantro will surely impress your guests.

Toss some Asparagus with some olive oil, slat and pepper and serve it with your Beer Can Chicken. This crispy and healthy side will provide a charred and healthy flavour to the dish.

Nothing can compete with the comforting combination creamy mac and cheese with crispy seasoned chicken. These two make an excellent pair for your casual lunches and even your dinner parties.

Wrapping it up!

Alright grillers now that you have learnt how to make the best Beer Can Chicken, its time to get your grill on and start preparing. Whether you are throwing an outdoor barbecue party or a cocktail dinner get together, the recipe would help you stand out. Do let us know how it turned our for you, until next time, Happy Grilling!

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Don't forget to tag me in your creations - I'd love to see how you make this recipe your own!

Recipe Card

Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 1 hour

Grill Time: I hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hour and 30 minutes

Level: Easy

Servings: 5-6

Instructions 

• Start by cleaning the chicken, rinse it well using cold water and pat dry using kitchen towels.
• Combine olive oil along with all the other spices in a small bowl. Mix well until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
• Open the beer can and remove about one-third of its contents.
• Rub the prepared mixture all over the chicken, ensuring that it is well coated. Set aside and allow to rest for an hour. You can also add some herbs and spices of your liking to the beer along with garlic cloves to infuse more flavours into the chicken.
• Preheat your grill to 375°F (190°C).
•  Mount the chicken over the beer can, slowly and carefully slide the chicken on top of it, making sure that the can is inside the cavity.  
• Place the chicken on the grill, cover the lid and roast for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Once the chicken is cooked well  remove it from the heat and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
•  After this, carefully remove the beer can, cut the chicken into pieces and serve along with your favourite sides.