The Secret Ingredients Behind Weber’s Beer Can Chicken Magic
As a backyard grilling enthusiast, I’m always on the hunt for ways to add bold, craveworthy flavor to classic BBQ favorites. And let’s be honest, beer can chicken is about as classic as it gets! There’s just something so fun and nostalgic about cracking open a cold one, sliding it into the chicken cavity, and letting the beer steam and infuse the meat as it slowly rotates upright on the grill. Mmm I can practically taste the crispy seasoned skin and juicy tender meat already!
But as delicious as the concept sounds, we’ve all had lackluster beer can chicken that didn’t quite live up to the hype. Turns out, to really nail this recipe you need two secret ingredients – a flavorful seasoning blend and the right technique. That’s why I was so excited to learn about Weber’s Beer Can Chicken Seasoning – it’s specially designed to give this backyard staple an extra flavor punch!
In this article, we’ll dive into everything that’s in Weber’s Beer Can Chicken seasoning, as well as tips for grilling up the juciest, most flavorful beer can chicken every time. Let’s get crackin’!
Weber’s Beer Can Chicken Seasoning – The Breakdown
But first, let’s take a look at what makes Weber’s seasoning blend so special. Here’s an overview of the key ingredients:
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Salt – The base that brings out the chicken’s savory flavors
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Onion & Garlic – Provides aromatic depth
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Spices – A blend of herbs & spices like thyme, rosemary, pepper and more
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Sugar – A touch of sweetness to balance the blend
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Red Bell Pepper – Extra flavor punch
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Lemon Peel – Bright, citrusy notes
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Paprika – Vibrant color and subtle smokiness
To sum up, Weber’s Beer Can Chicken Seasoning is a perfectly balanced mix of savory, sweet, herbaceous, and spicy tastes. Rubbing it on the chicken skin makes a crazy tasty crust, and as the bird roasts, it flavors the meat inside.
But as we all know, a seasoning is only as good as the technique! So let’s look at how to grill up perfect beer can chicken.
Grilling Up Perfectly Flavorful Beer Can Chicken
Prepping the bird:
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Pat chicken dry and coat generously with Weber seasoning, including the cavity
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Crack open a 12 oz. can of beer and pour out about half
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Add extra seasoning and herbs into beer can
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Insert can into cavity of chicken
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Tie legs together with twine to secure its shape
Grilling:
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Indirect heat is best, aim for 350-375°F
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Use a vertical roasting stand to hold chicken upright
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Cook for 1-1.5 hours until 165°F in breast and 175°F in thighs
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For crispiest skin, crank heat at end to crisp up
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Let rest 10 minutes before carving
The meat can baste itself from the inside out thanks to the hot beer, standing up, and slow roasting time. The end result was tender, juicy meat that tasted great thanks to the beer and seasoning.
Meanwhile, the savory seasoning rub forms a crispy, caramelized outer crust. Each bite is a magical combo of succulent and crispy, herby and spicy. Absolute BBQ perfection!
Tips for Maximizing Flavor
Follow these tips to get the most flavor out of your beer can chicken:
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Go bold with the seasoning – don’t be shy!
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Consider injecting or brining chicken for extra moisture
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Add fresh herbs, citrus and garlic to the can for flavor
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Spice up the seasoning blend with chili powder or cayenne
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Use a bold, flavorful beer like an amber ale or IPA
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Crisp up the skin at end by cranking up the heat
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Let chicken rest before carving for juiciest meat
Take Your Chicken to the Next Level
While beer can chicken is delicious on its own, Weber’s seasoning blend can also take other chicken recipes to the next level. Try rubbing it onto:
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Bone-in chicken pieces like thighs, legs, breasts
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Whole roast chickens or spatchcocked birds
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Grilled chicken sandwiches or skewers
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Chicken wings – toss in sauce after grilling
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Fried chicken for extra crispiness and flavor
You can use this seasoning in a lot of different ways. I like to keep a shaker of it on hand to add extra flavor to chicken dinners during the week.
Next time you fire up the grill or oven, give Weber’s Beer Can Chicken seasoning a whirl – your tastebuds will thank you! The balance of savory, spicy, and citrusy flavors adds so much depth and personality. And the aroma alone will have everyone salivating as it sizzles away. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m craving beer can chicken big time after writing this!
Take Your Grilling Anywhere
- In a small bowl combine the rub ingredients.
- Scrub the chicken all over with a little oil and season it with the rub, both inside and out.
- Get the grill ready to cook over medium heat (375° to 425°F). To make sure the rest of the food cooks properly, please leave your wood pellet grill ON the whole time. Prepare the grill for cooking over medium heat (400°F). To make sure the rest of the food cooks properly, please leave your wood pellet grill ON the whole time.
- Take the beer can open and pour out half of the beer. As you use a church key to open the can, make two more holes in the top of it. Slide the chicken over the can so it fits inside the chicken. Place the can on a flat surface. Transfer the chicken-on-a-can to the grill, keeping the can upright. Carefully put the chicken and the can on their two legs. Put the meat on the grill over indirect medium heat with the lid on. Cook for 1¿ to 1½ hours, or until the juices run clear and the temperature inside the thickest part of the thigh (not touching the bone) reaches 160° to 165°F. Take the beer can open and pour out half of the beer. As you use a church key to open the can, make two more holes in the top of it. Slide the chicken over the can so it fits inside the chicken. Place the can on a flat surface. Transfer the chicken-on-a-can to the grill, keeping the can upright. Carefully put the chicken and the can on their two legs. Grill over indirect medium heat with the lid on for 1 to 1½ hours, or until the thickest part of the breast (not touching the bone) reaches 145°F. Take the beer can open and pour out half of the beer. As you use a church key to open the can, make two more holes in the top of it. Slide the chicken over the can so it fits inside the chicken. Place the can on a flat surface. Transfer the chicken-on-a-can to the grill, keeping the can upright. Carefully put the chicken and the can on their two legs. Grill the chicken over medium-low heat with the lid on for about an hour and a half, or until the thickest part of the breast (not touching the bone) reaches 145°F.
- Hold the bird with tongs and slide a strong, wide spatula under the beer can. Carefully place it on a platter so that it is standing up. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes; during this time, the temperature inside will rise a few degrees. Hold the chicken with tongs and the can with paper towels. Twist the chicken a few times to loosen the can before you try to take it out. Lift the chicken carefully off the beer can, making sure to keep the can upright so that the hot beer doesn’t spill. Discard the beer. Cut the chicken into serving pieces. Serve warm.
Weber Beer Can Chicken
FAQ
What are the ingredients in Weber beer can chicken seasoning?
Salt, Onion, Garlic, Spices, Sugar, Red Bell Pepper, Lemon Peel, Citric Acid, Paprika Extractives (Color) And Natural Flavor.
What are the spices in beer can chicken?
In a medium bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, coriander, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Also mix in the dry mustard and onion powder. Store in an airtight container if not using right away.
What are the ingredients in Weber seasoning?
Weber® Original Dry Rub helps you kick up the flavor of your favorite meals. This rub will add mouthwatering flavor to your grilled steak, pork, or chicken favorites! Sugar, Turbinado Sugar, Salt, Dried Garlic, Chili Pepper, Paprika, Spices, Rice Concentrate, Red Pepper.
What’s in Weber Kick-N-Chicken seasoning?
Onion, Salt, Garlic, Spices, Red Pepper, Orange Peel, Sugar, Red Bell Pepper, Paprika Extractives (Color).