The Best Smoked Beer Can Chicken Recipe

Summer’s here, so fire up the smoker and get ready to make the ultimate juicy and flavorful beer can smoked chicken. 

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Smoked Beer Can Chicken

If you’ve been scouring the web for smoked beer can chicken recipes, then look no further! 

In our house, we affectionately refer to this dish as smoked beer butt chicken.

No matter what you call it, though, one thing remains the same.

It’s darn delicious! 

So put on your apron, crack open a can of beer, and get ready to make this easy summertime meal that’s sure to become a favorite.

Table of Contents

• Ingredients for Smoked Beer Can Chicken
• Equipment Needed
• The Best Wood for Smoked Chicken
• How to Prepare Your Smoker for Use
• What Kind of Beer to Use for Smoked Chicken
• How to Make Beer Can Chicken in a Smoker
• How Long to Smoke Beer Can Chicken
• What to Serve With Smoked Beer Can Chicken
• How to Store and Reheat Your Leftover Chicken
• More Popular Smoked and Grill Recipes from Midwest Life and Style
• Time to Dig In!
• Printable Recipe Card for Beer Can Smoked Chicken
• Pin and Save It for Later

Ingredients for Smoked Beer Can Chicken

The Meat

• (1) 4-5 pound whole chicken

The Dry Rub

• 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 Tablespoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander

The Beer

• (1) 16-ounce can of beer

To Baste

• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons dry rub mix

Equipment Needed

• Propane smoker
• Basting brush
• Meat thermometer
• Grease bucket for wood pellets
• Wood chips
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoons
• Beer can chicken holder
• Roasting pan
• Cotton butchers twine

The Best Wood for Smoked Chicken

One of the biggest questions when barbecuing is, what’s the best wood for smoking a beer can chicken?

When it comes to smoking meat, the best wood really depends on your personal preference.

For a milder, sweeter flavor, try using wood chips from pecan, cherry, or apple trees.

Or, if you prefer a stronger smoky taste, hickory, mesquite, and oak wood chips will give your beer can chicken a bolder smoky flavor.

How to Prepare Your Smoker for Use

New to making beer can chicken in a smoker? 

Here are a few helpful tips for getting started.

My husband swears by this propane smoker, but any smoker will work.

 If your smoker has a water pan, use it!

The water not only helps to maintain a stable temperature inside your smoker, but it also ensures that your smoked beer can chicken stays tender and juicy while soaking up more of the smokey flavor.

Then preheat your smoker to a temperature of 225℉ and get ready to make mouthwatering smoked beer can chicken.

What Kind of Beer to Use for Smoked Chicken

Any beer will work for this recipe!

For our smoked chicken, we use the classic Pabst Blue Ribbon.

It’s not fancy, but it’s affordable and gets the job done.

The beer’s main purpose is to keep the chicken moist, but If you’d like to experiment, you can try a lighter beer or one with a hint of citrus for a different flavor.

How to Make Beer Can Chicken in a Smoker

Step 1: Prep the Dry Rub

First, get your dry rub ready.

Put all the seasonings in a small mixing bowl and stir until well combined.

Don’t forget to set aside 2 tablespoons of the dry rub mix; you’ll need it to mix with some olive oil for basting later.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Place the chicken on a tray or shallow roasting pan and carefully remove the gizzards.

Then pat it dry with a paper towel and generously rub the seasoning over the chicken coating the skin.

Step 3: Set the Chicken on the Beer

First, pour out (or drink!) half of the beer.

Then place the can in the beer can chicken stand to help keep the chicken upright and tie the legs together with some cotton butchers twine.

Note: I recommend prepping your chicken on a baking tray or shallow roasting pan to catch any meat juices and prevent them from dripping on your counters.

Step 4: Smoke the Chicken

Once your smoker reaches 225°F place your beer can chicken inside the smoker and let it smoke for 2-3 hours.

For an extra layer of flavor, you can baste the chicken halfway through cooking.

To do this, simply combine 2 tablespoons of your reserved dry rub with 3/4 cup of olive oil to create a basting sauce.

Brush it generously over the chicken’s skin.

Repeat this basting process again after an additional hour of smoking (2 ½ hours total cooking time) to lock in all that delicious smokiness.

How Long to Smoke Beer Can Chicken

Every smoker’s a little different, so the cooking time might vary slightly, but in general, 3 hours at 225℉ is the sweet spot for a perfectly smoked beer can chicken.

To check for doneness, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast.

The internal temperature should reach 165°F to ensure the chicken is thoroughly smoked and safe to eat.

Once it does, remove it from the smoker and let the beer can chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. 

What to Serve With Smoked Beer Can Chicken

How to Store and Reheat Your Leftover Chicken

For the easiest storage, remove the leftover smoked chicken meat from the bones while it’s still warm.

Shred and place the chicken in an airtight food storage container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

The leftover smoked chicken is just as delicious as it is fresh off the smoker!

You can use it in recipes like BBQ Chicken Sandwiches with coleslaw, Mini Pineapple Chicken Salad Phyllo Cups, or Bowtie Chicken Caesar Salad.

More Popular Smoked and Grill Recipes from Midwest Life and Style

Shop The Post

Want to recreate this look at home? I’ve linked all the finds I used in this post below! Please note, that sometimes things sell out quickly, so if something isn’t available anymore, I’ve linked a similar item that you might love just as much. Happy shopping!

Propane smoker⎟Basting brush⎟Meat thermometer⎟Grease bucket for wood pellets⎟Wood chips⎟Mixing bowls⎟Measuring spoons⎟Beer can chicken holder⎟Roasting pan⎟Cotton butchers twine

Time to Dig In!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Cheers!