BEER BUTT CHICKEN RECIPES

Steps:

• Rinse chicken well inside an out.
• Pat bird completely dry with paper towels.
• To make the rub: mix 4 tbsp paprika, 2 tsp salt, 2 tbsp black pepper, 2 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/4 cup brown sugar in a small bowl and set it aside.
• To make glaze: mix together 1/4 cup brown sugar, 4 tbsp ketchup, 3 tsp frank's red hot sauce, 4 tbsp white vinegar, 4 tbsp beer (save remainder in can and set it aside), and 2 tbsp of the spice rub you just made in a separate bowl; set aside.
• Pour beer can out (or drink it down) until it is just a bit over half way full and then add crushed bay leaves and 1 tsp of rub to the half full can.
• Loosen the skin on the breasts, legs and thighs of your chicken.
• Massage the rub into the meat under the skin and then all over the outside of the bird's skin as well as inside the cavity.
• Place beer can in the "butt" of the bird making the bird stand upright.
• Preheat grill with all burners on high until grill is heated and ready to cook.
• You must cook indirectly; so if you have 2 burners on your grill, turn one off (for 3 burners turn 1 off, for 4 burners turn 2 off, etc.).
• Place the standing bird on the cooler or "off" burner side of the grill with the breasts facing the hot or "on side of it (you grill should remain at about 375 degrees during the entire cooking process).
• Close lid and cook for 30 minutes, then rotate bird so that the opposite side (the back) is not facing the heated side of the grill and then continue cooking with the lid closed for 30 more minutes.
• Rotate bird back to original position with breasts facing the heat and glaze the entire bird thoroughly with the pre-made glaze; continue cooking 30 more minutes until cooked, brown and slightly crisped.
• Transfer chicken carefully off of beer can and onto cutting board.
• Let rest 5-10 minutes and then carve and enjoy!

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the barbecue, or oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6. Take your chicken out of the fridge while you make the rub.
  2. In a pestle and mortar, bash up the fennel and cumin seeds and mix with the paprika, brown sugar, chilli powder, and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
  3. Stir in 3 tablespoons of oil until you get a paste, then drizzle all over the chicken, inside and out, using your hands to make sure you get it into all the nooks and crannies.
  4. Crack open the beer, have a couple of good swigs so your can is just about half full, then lower the chicken’s cavity on to the top of the can so it looks as though the chicken is sitting on the can.
  5. If you’re using the barbecue, try to strategically move a small amount of coals to the sides rather than directly underneath the chicken, so the heat radiates around it and cooks it from all angles rather than grills it.
  6. Carefully sit the chicken on the bars of the barbecue or in a roasting tray on the very bottom of the oven. Cook for 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the meat pulls away from the bone and the juices run clear. If this isn’t the case (all barbecues and ovens are slightly different) just cook for a bit longer.
  7. Once done, carefully remove the can and loosely cover the chicken with foil and a tea towel while you get some grilled veg, salad or warm breads together – but trust me, it tastes so good you won’t need much else.