This beer baked chicken recipe is juicy, tender, and packed with flavour. Marinated overnight in buttermilk and salt, the chicken becomes incredibly moist on the inside while developing a crispy golden-brown skin on the outside. Cooked upright over beer and fresh herbs, this roast chicken recipe is ideal for barbecues, family dinners, and outdoor cooking.
Using a chicken stand or roasting tray allows the chicken to cook evenly while the flavourful juices drip onto vegetables below. Serve this beer roasted chicken with potatoes, carrots, onions, pumpkin, or your favourite roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients
1 whole farmhouse chicken, up to 1.5 kg
500 ml buttermilk
2 tablespoons salt
1 cup beer, preferably wheat beer
A few sprigs of fresh parsley
A few sprigs of fresh dill
Optional Vegetables for Roasting
Pumpkin
New potatoes
Carrots
Red onions
Prunes
Garlic
Olive oil
Apple juice or extra beer for basting
Your favorite vegetable seasoning
Instructions
Season the chicken all over.
Place the chicken in a large baking bag or container.
Mix the buttermilk with the salt and pour it over the chicken. Seal the bag tightly, removing as much air as possible so the chicken is fully coated.
Refrigerate and marinate overnight, or for at least 12 hours.
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 30 to 45 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Shake off any excess marinade.
Attach the chicken stand to a roasting tray. Pour the beer into the tray and add the fresh parsley and dill.
Place the chicken upright on the stand. Arrange vegetables around the chicken if desired.
Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, season with spices, and add a splash of beer or apple juice for extra flavor.
Preheat the grill to 220°C. Set the burners to maximum heat, then turn off the middle burners and lower the side burners to medium.
Place the roasting tray in the center of the grill and cook indirectly for about 1 hour.
Check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. The chicken is fully cooked when the breast reaches 77°C and the legs reach 83°C.
Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before carving.
Serve with the roasted vegetables and spoon over any juices from the tray.
Tips for the Best Beer Baked Chicken
Marinating the chicken in buttermilk helps tenderize the meat and creates crispy skin.
Wheat beer gives the chicken a slightly sweet and rich flavor, but lager or pale ale also works well.
Cooking the chicken upright allows hot air to circulate evenly for better roasting.
Roasted vegetables cooked underneath the chicken absorb all the delicious juices and flavor.
Always let the chicken rest before carving to keep it juicy and tender.
