BEER-CAN CHICKEN

(adapted from Steven Raichlen's recipe, The Barbecue Bible Cookbook )

Okay, here it is. The master recipe for the beer-can chicken, the showstopper that will dazzle your family and friends. If you've never made beer-can chicken before, start here, and once you've mastered the basic procedure, there's no limit to its variations.

1 can (12 ounces) beer
1 chicken (3 1/2 to 4 pounds)
2 tablespoons Chef Jamie's Spice Rub SIGNATURE BLEND (see recipe below)
2 teaspoons olive oil

You'll also need:
2 cups wood chips or chunks (I like applewood), soaked for 1 hour in water and/or beer to cover, then drained

Pop the tab off the beer can.  Pour half of the beer (3/4 cup) over the soaking wood chips or chunks, or reserve for another use.  Using a church key-style can opener, make 2 additional holes in its top.  Set the can of beer aside.  Remove the packet of giblets from the body cavity of the chicken and set aside for another use.  Remove and discard the fat just inside the body and neck cavities.  Rinse the chicken, inside and out, under cold running water and then drain and blot dry, inside and out, with paper towels.  Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the rub inside the body cavity and 1/2 teaspoon inside the neck cavity of the chicken.  Drizzle the oil over the outside of the bird and rub or brush it all over the skin.  Sprinkle the outside of the bird with 1 tablespoon of rub and rub it all over the skin. Spoon the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of rub into the beer through a hole in the top of the can.  Don't worry if the beer foams up: This is normal.

Hold the bird upright, with the opening of the body cavity at the bottom, and lower it onto the beer can so the can fits into the cavity.  Pull the chicken legs forward to form a sort of tripod, so the bird stands upright. The rear leg of the tripod is the beer can.

Tuck the tips of the wings behind the chicken's back.  Set up the grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium.  If using a charcoal grill, place a large drip pan in the center. If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips or chunks in the smoker box or an aluminum pie plate and preheat on high until you see smoke, then reduce the heat to medium.

When ready to cook, if using a charcoal grill, toss all of the wood chips or chunks on the coals.  Stand the chicken up in the center of the hot grate, over the drip pan and away from the heat.  Cover the grill and cook the chicken until the skin is a dark golden brown and very crisp and the meat is cooked through (about 180°F on an instant-read meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a thigh, but not touching the bone), 1 to 1 1/4 hours.  If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 12 fresh coals per side after 1 hour. If the chicken skin starts to brown too much, loosely tent the bird with aluminum foil.

Using tongs, hold the bird by the can and carefully transfer it in an upright position to a platter.

Present the bird to your guests. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then carefully lift it off its support. Take care not to spill the hot beer or otherwise burn yourself.  Halve, quarter, or carve the chicken and serve.

Serves 4
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Chef Jamie's Spice Rub SIGNATURE BLEND (recipe)

Feel free to purchase your favorite flavor of Chef Jamie's Spice Rubs (Chile-Beer, Brown Sugar & Cracked Pepper, Original Seasoning Blend or Southwestern Chile Rub for use with this recipe OR try out this blend of Chef Jamie Spice Rubs for fabulous flavor.  (This is what I use on my Beer Can Chicken!)

3 Tablespoons Chef Jamie Chile-Beer Grill Blend Spice Rub
3 Tablespoons Chef Jamie Brown Sugar & Cracked Pepper Spice Rub
3 Tablespoons Chef Jamie Original Seasoning Blend Spice Rub
6 Tablespoons brown sugar

Combine all of the ingredients and mix well.  Use as needed, then
store any remaining blended rub in an airtight jar away from heat and light; it will keep for at least 3 months.