Food By Franz

Beer Can Chicken combines the flavors of a great spice rub with the flavors steamed out of the beer can.

Sitting Pretty

Cook Time: 1 hours, 30 minutes
Ingredients:
* 1 whole chicken (4-5 pounds)
* 1 12 ounce can beer (room temperature)
* 2 cloves garlic, crushed
* 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
* 2 teaspoons olive oil
* 2 sprigs fresh thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed (optional)

* For Rub:
* 1 teaspoon paprika
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
* 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, ground
* 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Preparation:
Combine all rub ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.

Remove giblets and the neck from chicken. Sprinkle all over with rub, including cavity. Open can of beer and discard half of it. Place garlic, rosemary, thyme, oil and pepper flakes in it. Make sure ventilate the top of beer can (punch additional holes). Place chicken on top of can.

Preheat grill. Place birds grill balanced by the beer cans. Grill over indirect medium heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until internal temperature of thigh is 180 degrees. Remove chicken when finished cooking and let sit (with beer can still intact), for 10 minutes before carving.

This recipe can be done in an oven @ 350. I suggest that you use a cookie sheet under the chicken for the oven use – you can also roast vegetables on the cookie sheet during the last 45 minutes to make a complete meal. The cookie sheet actually works on the grill also!

This is a general use blackening spice – its made of basic spices that you probably already have in your rack, so don’t pay the extra price for the special mix, when they are so easy to produce. Added benefit – it helps one use the spices in the pantry (remember most spices have a recommended shelf life of less than a year) and you can always use frresh instead of dried. This spice works best on fish and chicken.

Blackening Spice

1 Tbsp paprika (prefer hot or sweet hungarian)
2.5 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp onion powder
1 Tsp garlic powder
.75 ground cayenne
.75 tsp white pepper
.75 tsp black pepper
.5 tsp thyme
.5 tsp oregano

Tip* I usually mix this up in a shot glass, it easy to set aside until needed, easy to sprinkle from and easy to clean when done!
One can always increase the amount of cayenne for folks who prefer the “warmer” side of life.