Dill Beer Can Chicken

Beer Can Chicken is a great way to cook a whole chicken. Perfectly tender and juicy on the inside with golden brown, crispy skin.

Maybe you have been wanting to make Beer Can chicken for a long time now. Perhaps you always hear how wonderful it is. How moist the meat is. How crispy the skin is, but haven’t given it a try yourself yet. Well now here is your chance because, beer can chicken just as good as you’ve always heard it was. 

On the other hand, if you’ve never heard about beer can chicken, then let me enlighten you. This might be your new favorite way to cook chicken. It’s easy, only requires a handful of ingredients and delivers some of the juiciest chicken you’ve ever had. 

Let’s talk about what you’ll need to make it: 

Beer Can Chicken Ingredients: 

• CHICKEN: You’ll need a whole chicken for this recipe. Be sure that you’ve removed the giblet bag from inside. Also be sure to pat dry the chicken, this will help the skin crisp while it’s cooking. 
• BEER: You can use whatever kind of beer that you like. I prefer to use a lager or pilsner when I make beer can chicken. 
• FRESH DILL: Just like you stuff the cavity of the chicken when you’re making Oven Roasted Chicken, adding dill to the beer can adds flavor while this chicken is cooking.  
• GARLIC: As with the dill, this will add flavor as it cooks. 
• OLIVE OIL: Will help the skin brown. 
• DRIED DILL/SALT/PEPPER: This will be the seasoning blend that you use to season the outside of the chicken. It helps make the skin super flavorful! 

Step by Step Photos and Instructions: 

Making beer can chicken is actually really easy! You season the chicken, place a 1/2 full can of beer in the cavity and cook the chicken on indirect heat on the grill. The beer and the grill to the hard part for you! 

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• STEP #1: Dump out (or drink!) half of a 12 ounce beer. Add dill sprigs and garlic cloves to the can.
• STEP #2: Place the beer can inside the chicken cavity. You want the bottom to stick out so that the chicken can stand up. Kind of like a tripod. 
• STEP #3: Mix dill, salt and pepper together in a bowl. Brush the chicken with olive oil. Season the chicken all over with the seasoning mixture. 
• STEP #4: Preheat a grill for indirect heat. Place chicken on the side of the grill that is not on. Cover. Adjust the heat if necessary but the chicken should cook at 350 degrees for about 1 1/2 hours. Cook until a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 165 degrees. 
• STEP #5: Allow chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. 

Storage and Leftovers:

Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator and use within 3 – 5 days. Can be reheated but would also be great shredded and turned into this Dill Chicken Salad.

Recipe FAQ:

This Beer Can Chicken makes a fantastic Sunday dinner. I love serving it with Homemade Mashed Potatoes and Dill Green Beans.

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Note: This post was originally published in 2013. It was updated in 2023 with new photos, nutrition information and Recipe FAQ.