Guinness Bacon Beer Can Chicken Recipe (2024)

#ad Beer Can Chicken is a classic recipe when cooking for the summer. I used to love doing thiswith my family all the time! I always remember what a chef once told me, “when cooking withalcohol, the food will taste only as good as the quality of the beverage.” So, let’s make somequality Beer Can Chicken with the best beer you can get: Guinness Draught. Oh… let’s addsome bacon too it as well.

Post Sponsored by Guinness US

Guinness Bacon Beer Can Chicken Recipe (1)

Why Beer Can Chicken?

Chicken is inherently plain and dry. The meat does not have a ton of flavor compared to otherproteins, which is why many cooks add other ingredients to it like bbq sauce, green chile sauceand more. The other issue is that dry chicken is not very tasty. If you overcook chicken or youdo not keep the moisture level high, then it will lose a lot of its flavor.

Here is where beer can chicken saves the day…

By opening a bottle of high-quality beer and placing it inside the cavity, you resolve both issues.The moisture from the beer will slowly evaporate inside the chicken and prevent it from dryingout. The flavor of the beer is them imparted on the chicken and you are left with a rich, roastedflavor all over.But we are not stopping there.

What else?

When we add the rub on to the chicken, we will coat the outside with an herbal sweetness togive it a great flavor on the skin. Lastly, we add some bacon because… well because why not!The fat from the bacon will keep the moisture levels intact while adding tons of bacon-y flavor allover.

So what are we left with?

In the end, you have a deliciously smoked chicken with the rich, roasted flavor of GuinnessDraught, smoked bacon and a sweet herbal outside. Seriously, it’s the amped up version of yourfavorite beer can chicken. So let’s get to it!

Guinness Bacon Beer Can Chicken Recipe (2)

Guinness & Bacon Beer Can Chicken

Moist and crispy chicken wrapped in bacon and made perfect by Guinness Draught. This is the perfect backyard recipe to show up all your friends.

Author:Derek Wolf

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time: 1 hour hour

Cook Time: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 people

Equipment

  • Guinness Draught Beer

Ingredients

  • 1 Whole Chicken
  • 6-7 Slices of Bacon
  • 2 tbsp of Smoked Paprika
  • 2 tbsp of Garlic Powder
  • 1.5 tbsp of Brown Sugar
  • 1 tbsp of Black Pepper
  • 1 tbsp of Oregano
  • 1 tbsp of Cumin
  • 1 tbsp of Salt
  • Olive Oil
  • 1 can of Guinness Draught Beer

Instructions

  • Using a chimney, start some charcoal. In your grill, place charcoal around the edges to look like a ring with an empty middle for indirect cooking. Bring the fire to a medium heat around 300F.

  • In a bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, black pepper, oregano, cumin and salt. Add some olive oil until it is a liquidy paste. Pat chicken dry and lather paste all over the outside. Using toothpicks, place the bacon over the front of the chicken and around the legs. Open a can of Guinness Draught and insert into the cavity of the chicken and secure.

  • Place chicken on a grill grate or inside the grill in the middle of the charcoal. Cook for about 3 hours or until the internal temperature (not touching bonreads 165Check every once in a while in order to rotate to prevent burning.

  • Once done, pull chicken out of grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Pour yourself a pint of Guinness Draught, slice and enjoy!

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Categorized as:
Chicken Recipes, Recipes

Derek Wolf

Derek is the driving force behind Over the Fire Cooking. He started cooking with live fire in 2016 and decided to start a social media page so his friends and family could follow the journey. Fast forward to today and Over the Fire Cooking has spread across multiple platforms with millions now following Derek's fire cooking journey. He's a southern fellow who enjoys everything from classic BBQ to Central and South American inspired dishes. Whatever he's cooking up, it's guaranteed to be so freakin' delicious!

More about Derek

Fried Sticky Ribs

Smoked Salmon Burnt Ends

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Birria Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Guinness Bacon Beer Can Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best liquid to use for beer can chicken? ›

Also, beer isn't your only option! You can use your favorite soft drink, such as cola or root beer if you prefer. You can get even more creative with an empty, clean aluminum can. Fill it halfway with chicken stock, wine, or any mix of liquid and herbs and spices.

What does beer do to cooking chicken? ›

Enhancing Chicken with Beer

Water and fat don't mix, but alcohol and fat do. The alcohol is able to penetrate deep into the meat, carrying the flavors of the brine solution with it. Beer can also break down fat, something that water cannot. You can also baste the chicken with beer.

What beer is best to cook with chicken? ›

You can use both light and dark beers for your chicken, but we do recommend avoiding IPAs. This is because the bitterness in the beer can make your chicken a bit bitter. We also recommend avoiding sours. Pilsners and light beers are excellent choices for those who want a more neutral flavor.

How do you make canned chicken taste better? ›

In order to improve the taste of this canned protein, you need to add texture to it. For example, add cranberries and pecans to your next chicken salad for a textural boost. Toss your drained canned chicken in a bowl with mayonnaise, dried cranberries, pecans, and a scant amount of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.

Can you use soda pop instead of beer for beer can chicken? ›

This time around I took a cue from Steven Raichlen and tried it out with cola, Dr Pepper (my favorite cola) to be exact, which resulted in a subtly sweet and spicy bird that easily held its own against those made with beer.

Can I use beer instead of chicken broth? ›

And unlike wine or liquor, you can substitute beer cup-for-cup for stock or water when you're braising or making soup. Yet like wine, beer is acidic, which comes in handy when you're baking quick bread, cake or fried foods, because you need a little acidity to activate baking soda.

What brand of beer is best to cook with? ›

Cleansing Flavors
ItemTypes of beerTry this
Pulled pork (for spicy pulled pork dishes)Honey AlePizza Port California Honey Ale
Beef burgers (high-fat content)Pale AleDuck Foot Old Bro Hazy Pale Ale
Beef burgers (lean)PilsnerFremont Golden Pilsner
Vegetarian burgers (grilled vegetables)Wheat beersMaui Pineapple Mana Wheat
9 more rows
Jul 4, 2022

Do I have to use beer for beer can chicken? ›

We're using just some olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme on the chicken, which we believe brings out the best in the chicken's flavor. You can easily experiment with your favorite spice rub, or even use wine or root beer instead of a standard beer.

At what temperature is a beer can chicken done? ›

Depending on the size of your chicken and the type of grill you use, this means that your beer can chicken cook time will vary a bit. We recommend starting to check the temp at an hour and 15 minutes, and then keep checking regularly until you see that 165°F.

Can chicken be a little pink? ›

Color is not a reliable indicator of safety or doneness. Safely cooked poultry can vary in color from white to pink to tan. All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (73.9°C) as measured with a food thermometer.

Is Guinness a good beer to cook with? ›

Guinness can also be mixed with vinegar, lemon or other acid and spices to make a marinade for beef or lamb before cooking in the oven or on the grill. And don't worry about getting drunk off a Guinness beef stew; almost all the alcohol cooks away. Like wine, Guinness can also be used as a deglazing liquid.

Can you use Dr Pepper instead of beer for beer can chicken? ›

Every time I make it and post it on social media, my friend Jonathan Fox from Fox Bros Bar-B-Q in Georgia tells me to "save the beer and make it with a Dr. Pepper instead." He has always told me he loves the sweet and nutty flavor that it delivers plus you save the beer to drink! In this recipe we make Dr.

Is IPA beer good for beer can chicken? ›

Craft beer can chicken is one of the simplest recipes I know and it packs a lot of flavor, especially if you are using a floral IPA. This isn't your typical dry, bland chicken breast! The flavor of the beer enhances the spice rub, leaving you with a tender, moist bird with perfectly crisp skin.

Do you add liquid when canning chicken? ›

Canning Chicken

Do not add liquid. To hot pack: Boil, bake or steam meat until about two-thirds done. Pack hot meat loosely into hot jars and cover with hot broth, leaving 1 ¼ inch headspace.

What should I spritz my chicken with? ›

There are many liquids that you can use for spritzing. The most popular choices are apple cider vinegar, beer, and wine. But you can also use tomato juice, vegetable juice, or any type of broth. If you're looking to add some extra flavor, you can use a BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or teriyaki sauce.

What is the juice in canned chicken? ›

The liquid in canned chicken is essentially the chicken's cooking liquid, which has been flavored with salt and other seasonings. If you're in a pinch and need to use the liquid in canned chicken as broth, it can work in a pinch.

What can I use instead of beer for marinade? ›

You can substitute beer with any type of liquid that you have on hand, such as chicken or beef broth, apple cider vinegar, or even lemon juice. The important thing is to add enough liquid to create a marinade that will add flavor to the steak as it grills.

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