Smoked Beer Can Chicken

Smoked beer can chicken is so amazing! Whether you have a pellet or electric smoker you’ll love how easy a whole chicken is to cook. Get ready! 

Have you made smoked beer can chicken yet??!! We are obsessed! With tender flavorful meat inside and crispy smoky flavored skin on the outside, it will become one of your favorite easy smoker recipes too. (affiliate links present)

• Ok so we didn’t technically put our whole chicken on top of an actual beer can. BUT let us explain to you why. It’s not steady enough, you need to use this chicken stand.

Don’t worry because you still use beer and the flavor is there, you just pour it inside.

So…let’s get started.

• First you’ll want to get your smoker preheated to 350 degrees so it’s ready when you are. 

Then you’ll want to get some beer can chicken rub mixed together:

• 1 tbsp Kosher salt, pepper, and rosemary
• 2 tsp thyme, and dill (jarred or fresh, we used dry)

You’ll also need olive oil and we like 1 tbsp of minced garlic to rub on too.

Of course if you have your own favorite rub you put on every whole chicken you bake then by all means use that.

This is what you need to make smoked beer can chicken

1. This chicken throne
2. Beer – or broth if you’d rather, but seriously go with the beer
   1. I don’t drink beer but I still use it because it lends a lot of flavor to the meat
3. A whole chicken
4. Seasonings
5. A meat thermometer
   1. So you can ensure it reaches the correct internal temperature

You’ll need smoker pellets or wood chips if you have an electric smoker.

Either way we prefer apple flavor and have both types of smokers. This time we made it in our Green Mountain pellet grill and smoker.

Then you’ll need to get your chicken ready to be rubbed down. 😉

1. Pour beer into your chicken stand so it’s ready once you’re done here:
2. Rinse the chicken
3. Take everything out of the cavity of the chicken (if there is anything in there)
4. Blot it with paper towels to remove most of the water
5. Rub or spray olive oil on the outside of the skin
6. Then grab your rub recipe and cover the outside
7. Now you’re ready to sit your chicken on top of it’s throne and make smoked chicken

Now your smoker or grill should be at the right temperature. Keep in mind that preheating does take a bit of time so you need to account for that when you’re planning dinner.

Tips for making the best smoked beer can chicken recipe:

• • Make sure the outside skin is coated with olive oil so it crisps up well
  • Place your chicken in the center of your smoker
    • Ensure it is flat and bird is on straight so it doesn’t tip over
  • Do not open the smoker before 2 hours is up
    • Every time you open it a lot of heat escapes and it will take a while to get back to reach the proper internal meat temperature
  • Allow chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes once you remove it from the smoker and stand
    • This will keep the juices in and keep it moist

Other smoker recipes you would enjoy are:

• The best smoked ribs
• Smoked baked potatoes are the perfect side dish
• This is how to smoke salmon for you fish lovers

Other ways to cook a whole chicken are:

• Air fryer whole chicken is amazing
• You can make pressure cooker beer can chicken too!
• Instant Pot whole chicken takes just 25 minutes start to finish 
  • This is how you cook a frozen pressure cooker chicken 
   
  

  Print Pin

  Smoked Beer Can Chicken

  Course Entree, Main Course

  Cuisine American

  Keyword beer can chicken, chicken, smoked, whole chicken

  Prep Time 15 minutes

  Cook Time 2 hours

  Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes

  Servings 6

  Calories 62kcal

  Author The Typical Mom

  Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 2 tsp thyme
  • 2 tsp dill
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 can beer

  Instructions

  • Add pellets or wood chips into your smoker. Preheat your smoker to 350 degrees. Wash and remove anything inside chicken cavity. Blot dry with a paper towel.
  • Spray or rub olive oil on the outside of your chicken skin. Mix all other ingredients together in a bowl (except beer). 
  • Rub this mixture on the outside of your chicken.
  • Fill chicken stand with beer, it will take about 3/4 of your can of beer. 
  • Place chicken on top of the chicken stand/throne. Once your smoker reaches 350 degrees, place it in the center making sure it is flat and won't tip over.
  • Allow to cook for 2 hours or until internal temp. of chicken is at least 160 degrees.
  • Take chicken out and remove from stand. Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes before slicing.

  Nutrition Facts

  Smoked Beer Can Chicken

  Amount Per Serving (4 oz)

  Calories 62 Calories from Fat 36

  % Daily Value*

  Total Fat 4g 6%

  Sodium 1165mg 49%

  Potassium 24mg 1%

  Total Carbohydrates 1g 0%

  Vitamin A 0.3%

  Vitamin C 0.5%

  Calcium 0.2%

  Iron 0.6%

  * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.