Vertical (Beer Can) Roasted Chicken Recipe

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 12/12/22
Vertical Roasted Chicken

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 90 mins
Total: 110 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

Roasting a chicken vertically has several benefits. The bird cooks evenly, the fats naturally baste the skin making for a crispy exterior all around, and there is no need to turn or truss the chicken. You can buy a special vertical roaster, but you can also use a beer or soda can or even a Bundt or tube pan to support the chicken.

The beer, juice, or soda help keep the chicken juicy and flavorful.

Serve this tasty chicken with potatoes or rice and a vegetable side dish, along with salad or coleslaw.

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Ingredients

  • 1 chicken (about 4 to 5 pounds)
  • 1 cup beer, cola, or juice
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons crushed garlic
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps to Make It

  1. Place a vertical roaster with a container or an open beer or soda can on a foil-lined baking pan.

  2. Fill the can with the beer, cola, or juice.

  3. Pat the chicken dry.

  4. Fit the chicken down over the can or container; the drumsticks will be facing down. If balancing on a can without a stand to keep it from tipping, let the chicken rest on the ends of the legs and the can, forming a stable "tripod."

  5. Combine the remaining ingredients and pat all over the chicken.

  6. Roast for about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, or to at least 165 F on a meat thermometer or oven probe inserted into the thickest, meaty part of a thigh, not too close to the bone.

Tip

  • Beer can chicken can also be cooked on the grill. See this recipe for a grilled version.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
907 Calories
51g Fat
2g Carbs
100g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 907
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 51g 66%
Saturated Fat 14g 71%
Cholesterol 316mg 105%
Sodium 298mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Protein 100g
Calcium 62mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)