Mexican Style Beer Can Chicken Food

TEX-MEX BEER-CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill for indirect cooking. Remove and discard neck and giblets from chicken cavity. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Carefully loosen skin at top of breast. Place butter and green onion whites evenly under skin of breast, without removing skin.
• In small bowl, mix vegetable oil, taco seasoning mix and salt. Rub all over outside of chicken. Open beer can; with can opener, make several other openings in top. Measure out 2/3 cup beer; discard or reserve for another use.
• Place half-full can of beer in ungreased shallow 8x8- or 13x9-inch aluminum grill pan. Carefully place chicken cavity over can, pushing until chicken balances in pan.
• Place on grill over medium heat, making sure chicken is balanced. Cover grill; cook 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until legs move easily when twisted or lifted and thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads at least 165°F.
• With tongs and flat metal spatula, carefully remove chicken and can from pan on grill; place on clean cutting board or serving platter. Carefully remove pan and drippings; let cool, then discard. Let chicken stand 5 to 10 minutes. Twist can to remove from chicken; discard can. Sprinkle with cilantro and green onion greens. Serve with salsa and lime wedges.
• To bake chicken, place oven rack in lowest position and heat oven to 375°F. Place prepared chicken on can in lightly sprayed 8-inch square (2-quart) baking dish. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until legs move easily when twisted or lifted and thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads at least 165°F. Let chicken stand 5 to 10 minutes. Twist can to remove from chicken; discard can. Sprinkle with cilantro and green onion greens. Serve with salsa and lime wedges.

MEXICAN-STYLE BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Prepare grill for indirect medium heat (350°F to 375°F). Preheat grill by turning all burners to medium. Turn off burner(s) on one side of grill.
• Mix Seasoning and red pepper in small bowl. Rub chicken with oil. Rub cavity with 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mixture. Sprinkle remaining seasoning mixture evenly over surface of chicken.
• Remove about 1/4 cup beer and poke 2 holes in top of can. Hold chicken upright (legs pointing down) and insert opened beer can into cavity. Stand chicken in upright position on unlit side of grill. Position legs to best support chicken (similar to a tripod). Close lid.
• Grill chicken 1 1/2 hours or until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thigh). Remove chicken from can before serving.

DRUNKEN CHICKEN TEX-MEX STYLE / BEER CAN

Steps:

• Rinse and pat dry hen.
• Drink 1/2 the beer and set aside the rest in the can.
• Then pour a shot of tequila and drink with a slice of lime.
• Spray can with 1/2 beer with cooking spray.
• Have another shot of tequila with lime.
• Put some of the oregano, a couple of the peppers, a couple of the garlic cloves, a pinch of cumin and a pinch of chili powder in the neck cavity of the hen.
• Stuff opening with a wad of aluminum foil to seal cavity.
• Have another shot of tequila and lime and while you're at it add a shot to the beer can with a piece of lime, the rest of the oregano, peppers, and garlic cloves.
• Push the can into to rear end of the chicken so that the hen can sit up.
• Place the chicken in a foil pie pan or square cake pan.
• Have another tequila shot, then rub the rest of the cumin, chili powder, and the salt onto the outside of the chicken.
• Have a couple more shots while your coals get ready on the pit.
• Place the pan with the chicken on the pit and close the grill.
• Let chicken cook for 1 hour on medium hot pit.
• (Of course, this means more tequila shots.) Baste hen with juices in pan.
• Take off grill when done and let rest 10 minutes before serving with a squeeze of lime and some drippings.
• If there is any Tequila left be sure to serve with the chicken also.
• This can be done in the oven as well on 350 degrees for 1 hour.