Honey BBQ Rubbed BEER Can Chicken

Beer can chicken is a staple of backyard bbq. And this recipe is my new favorite. They honey rub gives it a nice sweet flavor, the butter crisps up the skin nicely, and the beer keeps the bird nice and moist!

YouTube Instructional: https://youtu.be/sEb9tSNbatM

Should feed 2-3 people

Ingredients:

• ~3.5lb Whole Chicken

• Salted Butter

• Beer (or soda) in general something not hoppy works best

Wet Brine Ingredients:

• 8 Cups of Water

• 8 Tbsp Kosher Salt

• 4 Tbsp Brown Sugar

• 2 Garlic Cloves

• Bit of beer (not necessary)

Honey BBQ Rub

• 4 Tbsp Honey Granules

• 1 Tbsp Paprika

• 2 Tsp Garlic Powder

• 1 Tsp Black Pepper

• 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder

• (if you arent wet brining, 2 Tbsp Kosher Salt)

Step 1: Wet Brine Chicken

Trim anything funky off the chicken, and combine wet brine ingredients

The brine should completely cover the bird

Put the bird uncovered in the fridge

Step 2: Apply dry rub

24 Hours later, remove chicken from wet brine and completely rinse off any remaining brine.

Pat dry chicken with paper towels

Coat the entire chicken with our Honey BBQ Rub

Put chicken on wire rack uncovered in fridge for a few hours to continue drying out (for crispy skin)

Step 3: Set up the bird

Consume about 1/4 of the beer, and CAREFULLY cut open the top of the can (cut aluminum is extremely sharp so be very careful here)

Using a stand (not necessary but makes life easier) Put the beer can into the bottom cavity of the bird (sorry pal)

Leave on the counter while we get the smoker up to temp to warm up a bit.

Step 4: Smoke the chicken (and butter)

Preheat smoker to 225 degrees

Put the bird in the middle of the cooker, and put about a half a stick of butter into the smoker as well

Smoke for about 2-2.5 hours or until the bird reaches 155-160 degrees.

Then bump the smoker to 350 and start basting the skin with our smoked butter

We are looking for 160 all over the bird (its okay if some of the darker areas of the bird are over 160)

Step 5: Rest the bird

Carefully remove the bird from the smoker and cover loosely in tin foil for 10 min or so.

Enjoy!