I found this BBQ Beer Can Chicken recipe back in 2003 when it went through a surge of popularity and I haven't seen it around for a while, until I decided to make it again. There seems to be a resurrection. It's also a really healthy beer can chicken, as all the fat drips off the chicken into the pan. If you are looking for easy and healthy and delicious chicken dinner recipes for Father's Day, this is the one!

For reasons I cannot explain, sticking a ½ can of beer up the butt of a chicken makes it super tender and juicy and totally awesome!
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My Dad is a great BBQ'er - not sure if that's even a word. Either way, he makes the best BBQ chicken I have ever tasted. He says his secret is lots of BBQ sauce. Maybe that's why this beer can chicken recipe is sooo good too. It has an AMAZING Molasses BBQ sauce! BBQ chicken is obviously one of my faves and this easy, Weight Watchers Friendly Barbecue Beer Can Chicken recipe, also known as beer butt chicken, is no exception.
🥘 Ingredients
If you want to make this healthy beer can chicken recipe, you're going to need the following ingredients:
For chicken
- Beer * I use light beer, generally Coors light
- whole chicken (roaster)
For Molasses Beer BBQ sauce:
- chili sauce
- molasses
- light beer
- Dijon mustard
- chili powder
- Louisiana hot sauce
- Lemon juice
- liquid smoke
🔪Instructions
How to BBQ whole beer can chicken:
Making BBQ beer can chicken is actually quite simple and uses indirect heat:
- Heat grill to medium.
- Open can of beer with can opener, pour half of the beer into a container and reserve.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Then place whole chicken onto the top of the can and push can into the chicken cavity as shown.

- Place chicken upright in a deep aluminum roaster pan and place onto gas grill. Close BBQ lid and cook for 45 minutes.
- Combine all BBQ sauce ingredients in sauce pan, then baste generously on outside of the chicken.
- Allow chicken to cook for remaining 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, simmer the remaining BBQ sauce for 20 minutes, until reduced by half the volume.
- Remove chicken from grill and slice. Serve chicken with remaining BBQ sauce, as desired.
*Note: You'll need to keep the grill going for up to 1.5 hrs so make sure you have extra propane or are filled up (if you are using propane gas).
**Note: Your grill will need to be high enough that it can close over a whole upright chicken and test it before you light it
💭Best Beer for Beer Can Chicken
I really don't think the kind of beer you use makes that much of a difference. I tried different types and brands of beers and they all taste great! You don't need fancy beer and I do not recommend using a craft beer. However, if you want to keep it lighter, healthy and WW friendly (because you're also using it in the sauce) then you'll want to use light beer for this recipe. I usually use Coors light for this recipe.

🥗 Side dishes (WW friendly)
- 5 Minute Easy Bean Salad
- Healthy Classic Potato Salad (shown)
- Skinny Coleslaw Recipe
- Healthy Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
- Quick Cucumber Kimchi

💭Top Tip
The best way to check for doneness is by internal temperature, with an instant read meat thermometer (affiliate link). I have one of these thermometers and I lover it! I use it on everything from pie to meat to bread! Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees f (74 degrees celcius)
🍽 Equipment
You're also going to need some kind of holder for the chicken on the beer can. I use a large aluminum roasting pan as a drip pan and balance the chicken on top of the beer can (as shown in photo above). It's make-shift and can get a bit wobbly, but I make it work. However, you can buy beer can chicken stands. I prefer the beer can roasting chicken holders that come with the roaster. (affiliate link) and I'd buy this one if I was going to purchase one.
👪 Serving Size
This recipe makes 6 servings. However, you can double or triple the recipe. if you have a big crowd, by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust. I often make 2 chickens at once (we like leftovers), as you can see in the photos.
🔢WW Points
I get chicken as a 0 point food, so with the BBQ sauce points (about 3 points per 2 tbsp) on my plan, so it's 6 points, if I average I get 4 tbsp. Plug the recipe into the recipe builder on your app to see how much they are on your plan.
🌡️Storage
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. Store the extra BBQ sauce and chicken in separate containers.
🦺Food Safety
- Cook chicken to 165 degrees F/ 74 degrees C
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
So, make this BBQ beer can chicken for Father's Day or anytime you are looking for a grilled chicken recipe. It's sure to become a family favorite!
And if you 're looking for additional healthy BBQ ideas or Weight Watchers grill recipes, check out these grilling recipes:
- Maple Cider Grilled Chicken Kabobs (shown below)
- Marinated Grilled Maple Lemon Pork
- Grilled Glazed Maple Cranberry Chicken (with Cranberry Salsa)
- Grilled Steak Salad with Feta and Clamato Dressing (Moxie's Copycat)

⭐ Reviews
Did you make this Beer Can Chicken recipe? If you loved it, please leave a 5 star rating and a comment below!


📋 BBQ Beer Can Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 can beer I use light beer
- 1 whole chicken (roaster)
- Molasses & Beer BBQ sauce (see recipe below)
Molasses & Beer BBQ sauce:
- 1 ¼ cup chili sauce
- ¾ cup molasses
- ¾ cup light beer
- 2 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Louisiana hot sauce
- 1 ¼ tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ tablespoon liquid smoke
Instructions
- Heat grill to medium heat.
- Open can of beer with can opener, pour half the beer into a container and reserve. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Then place whole chicken onto can and push can into the cavity of the chicken as shown.
- Place chicken upright in a deep aluminum roaster pan and place onto grill. Close BBQ lid and cook for 45 minutes
- Combine all BBQ sauce ingredients in sauce pan, the baste generously on chicken.
- Allow chicken to cook for remaining 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, simmer the remaining BBQ sauce for 20 minutes, until reduced by half the volume.
- Remove chicken from BBQ and slice. Serve chicken with remaining BBQ sauce, as desired.
Marie-Pierre Breton
Oh yes life is a fragile thing! It can be taken away from us in no time. My dad is similar to yours, he's the BBQ'er;) of the family also and makes a great beer chicken, but with dry spices all over. You version looks like a super nicely glazed one, I'll have to make my dad try it out, next time I go visit them!
Terri Gilson
Hi Marie: Thanks! I hope you like the glazed chicken if you can convince your Dad to try it! 🙂
Terri Gilson
Hi Marie: Thanks! I hope you like the glazed chicken if you can convince your Dad to try it! 🙂
Amanda (Peppers & Pennies)
Is there any better combo than BBQ and Beer for the summer? I am obsessed with all the BBQ recipe lately and am really intrigued by your addition of liquid smoke for this delicious sounding chicken dish. I have yet to experiment with liquid smoke but I keep coming across it and feel like it is time to take the plunge!
Terri Gilson
Hi Amanda: Thanks for your comment! I agree - BBQ & Beer - yum! And the liquid smoke adds that je nes se quois to this sauce. I love the stuff! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Vanessa
I haven't made beer can chicken in ages. It brought back so many memories while making this. The sauce was a delicious addition!
Asha
"For reasons I cannot explain, sticking a ½ can of beer up the butt of a chicken makes it super tender and juicy and totally awesome!" - This line made me laugh. I gave my bf the honour of shoving the can up there for the poor chicken. But it came out tasting great
Terri Gilson
haha Asha! That is quite the honour - glad you enjoyed it!
Elaine
I never got around to making this when it was crazy popular, so now, with your detailed instructions, it's time! Thanks for resurrecting it!
Colleen
We've had beer can chicken in our summer rotation for years, so we didn't realize the trend went away and came back, haha. I have never put the BBQ sauce on the whole chicken before, but it's a great idea! And your BBQ sauce recipe is a must try.
nancy
talk about a juicy bbq chicken! i've forgotten about this BBQ Beer Can Chicken method and it is an oldie by goodie!! I'm making this chicken again on the weekend!
Terri Gilson
Enjoy, Nancy!
Sean
I've often wondered why beer can chicken seems to fade in and out of the public consciousness. It's fun to make, and it makes for great chicken! I'm glad you gave it a good treatment here, and I'm ESPECIALLY gifted us with that awesome molasses and beer bbq sauce! What a fantastic combination!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Sean - glad you enjoyed it!