Are you sick of the same old way of smoking and grilling your chicken? If you are a cooking enthusiast looking to experiment, then you need to try smoked beer can chicken! A well-prepared smoked beer can chicken is packed with flavors and a treat your tastebuds will never forget. There are many smoked beer can chicken recipes available with different variations, but we have narrowed down three of the best ones available.
What really makes or breaks your chicken is the smoked beer can chicken rub. It is essential to get the rub right as it determines the flavor of your chicken. You should also make sure you have a functioning electric smoker for the actual smoking process. Another must-have is of course a can of your favorite beer!
While smoked beer can chicken may sound odd, it is a foolproof recipe that you will definitely enjoy as it produces a flavorful and delicious chicken. It will also surely impress your guests at the next dinner party for being a novelty.
Believe it or not, but smoking meat is an ancient technique. This first recipe involves using an electric smoker. There are some pros and cons to using an electric smoker. The first advantage is that electric smokers don’t involve the use of direct heat, which makes them a safer option. They also have built-in thermometers inside the smokers to keep a check on the temperature.
This second recipe involves using a pellet smoker. Pellet smokers tend to have a longer smoking time, but they are worth it as they will tenderize your meat to perfection. You can also use a mix of different wood chip flavors in a pellet smoker. 
The video below shows how to smoke a beer can chicken on the Traeger Grill.
We will now address some questions that frequently arise when it comes to smoked beer can chicken!
Since beer and chicken is not something that goes together generally, you may be wondering how this recipe came into being. This recipe probably comes from Louisiana and it has now become a popular dish at barbeque competitions and is also available at restaurants.
There is a lot of variety when it comes to smokers. You can opt for an electric smoker, pellet smoker, or even a charcoal grill. While each type of smoker has its advantages and disadvantages, according to our assessment a pellet smoker is the best and most convenient option!
The smoker has a mechanism that automatically feeds the heater with pellets and heats the chamber. This makes things easy for you and you only have to check the meat from time to time.
Charcoal grills are a good low-cost option, but they expose your meat to heat directly which can burn your chicken. Eclectic smokers are also a good pick, but they tend to consume a lot of electricity and often do not give the authentic smoke taste that you would get from authentic woodchip.
You will be pleased to learn that yes you can cook smoked beer can chicken in the oven! You will have to preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). After following the usual process (applying the rub etc.), bake the chicken in the oven for 45 minutes after which pour some more beer on the pan under the chicken.
Bake it for another 30 minutes until the juices run clear and it is no longer pink at the bone. You can check the internal temperature and the chicken should be ready when it hits 180 degrees. Once it is done, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes after which you can serve and enjoy!
While the taste won’t be exactly the same as you would get from smoking it, it’s still tasty and flavorful!
Yes! In case you do not drink or enjoy beer, you can easily substitute it with a soda. Some options you can use are coke, ginger-ale, sprite, and root beer. However, do not use diet sodas as the diet version contains artificial sweeteners and they’re not safe for cooking.
While this will obviously give your chicken a different taste, it will still be deliciously smoked!
It’s important to handle leftovers carefully so you can get the most out of your chicken and nothing is wasted! One great idea is to make chicken salad sandwiches. Sandwiches are always easy to make, and you can customize them and add whatever you like.
Another option is to make enchiladas, these are also easy to make and are always delicious. In case you have the time for a more complex dish, you can even use your smoked beer can chicken leftovers to make a chicken pot pie! Another option is to slice up the chicken and add it to a stir-fry!
As you can see, there are many options and endless possibilities when it comes to using the leftover chicken! We encourage you to experiment and figure out how you best enjoy your leftovers!
Here are some important tips and tricks that can be a lifesaver:
Now you know all there is to know about smoked beer can chicken!
You can easily make an informed choice when it comes to picking the right smoker and type of chicken rub. While it’s most convenient to use the smoker you have available at home, pellet smokers tend to produce some of the most flavorful chicken.
However, in case you do not have a smoker and are not big on smoking, you can even prepare smoked beer can chicken in your oven! Smoked beer can chicken can also be made without beer as you can easily use any soda as a substitute.
Good luck while preparing your very first smoked beer can chicken, and remember: don’t waste any leftovers!
