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Flavorful Smoked Beer Can Chicken Recipe with Easy Honey Chipotle Glaze

smoked beer can chicken - featured image
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This smoked beer can chicken recipe delivers juicy, tender meat with crispy skin and a sticky, smoky honey chipotle glaze. Perfect for backyard gatherings and easy weekend meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole chicken (4–5 lbs / 1.8–2.3 kg), fresh or fully thawed
  • 1 can beer (12 oz / 355 ml), lager or pale ale
  • Dry Rub:
  • 2 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp cumin (optional)
  • Honey Chipotle Glaze:
  • ¾ cup honey
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp adobo sauce (from chipotle can)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional Extras:
  • Fresh lime wedges for serving
  • Chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken (15 minutes): Remove giblets from cavity. Pat chicken dry. Apply dry rub evenly all over chicken, including inside cavity and under skin. Let rest at room temperature.
  2. Preheat Smoker or Grill (15-20 minutes): Set smoker or charcoal grill for indirect heat at 275°F (135°C). Add wood chips (apple wood recommended) for smoke flavor.
  3. Insert Beer Can and Set Chicken Upright (5 minutes): Open beer can, pour out or drink half. Place can on sturdy surface and lower chicken over it so can fits inside cavity. Use roaster stand if available.
  4. Place Chicken on Smoker (2-3 hours): Put chicken upright on grill grate over indirect heat. Close lid and smoke for 2 to 2.5 hours, maintaining 275°F (135°C). Avoid opening lid too often.
  5. Check Internal Temperature (after 2 hours): Use meat thermometer to check thickest thigh part. When it reaches 165°F (74°C), chicken is done. Continue smoking and check every 15 minutes if needed.
  6. Apply Honey Chipotle Glaze (last 20 minutes): Mix glaze ingredients. Brush glaze generously on chicken skin and continue smoking for 15-20 minutes to caramelize.
  7. Rest the Chicken (10-15 minutes): Remove chicken carefully. Let rest upright or on platter to redistribute juices before carving.

Notes

Maintain smoker temperature around 275°F (135°C) for best results. Apply glaze in the last 20 minutes to avoid burning sugars. Pat chicken skin dry for crispiness. Use instant-read thermometer to ensure doneness. Rest chicken before carving to keep it juicy.

Nutrition

Keywords: beer can chicken, smoked chicken, honey chipotle glaze, barbecue, smoked poultry, backyard grilling, easy smoked chicken

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/flavorful-smoked-beer-can-chicken-recipe-with-easy-honey-chipotle-glaze/