Lacquered Saigon Chicken On A Beer Can Recipes

BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Prepare the grill: If you are using charcoal, put the coals on one side of the grill, leaving another side free of coals. If you are using a gas grill, fire up only half of the burners.
• Season the chicken and rub it with oil: Remove neck and giblets from cavity of chicken, if the chicken came with them. Mix the salt, pepper, and thyme in a little bowl, and rub it all over the chicken. Rub the chicken all over with olive oil.
• Lower chicken onto half-filled beer can: Make sure the beer can is open, and only half-filled with beer (drink the other half!) If you want, you can put a sprig of thyme (or another herb like rosemary or sage) in the beer can. Lower the chicken on to the open can, so that the chicken is sitting upright, with the can in its cavity.
• Carefully transfer the chicken to a tray or pan: I say "carefully" because the beer can, and the beer inside of it, is quite hot. One way to do this is to slide a metal spatula under the bottom of the beer can. Use tongs to hold the top of the chicken. Lift the chicken, beer can still inside, and move it to a tray. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes. Carefully lift the chicken off of the can. If it gets stuck, lay the chicken on its side, and pull out the can with tongs.

LACQUERED SAIGON CHICKEN ON A BEER CAN

Steps:

• Make the marinade: Place the soy sauce, wine, sesame oil, garlic, coriander, five-spice powder, and cinnamon in a large nonreactive bowl and whisk to mix.
• Remove the packet of giblets from the body cavity of the chicken and set aside for another use.
• Remove and discard the fat just inside the body and neck cavities.
• Rinse the chicken, inside and out, under cold running water and then drain and blot dry, inside and out, with paper towls.
• Place the garlic and ginger in the main cavity of the chicken.
• Place the chicken in the bowl with the marinade or place the chicken and marinade in a large resealable plastic bag.
• Let marinate in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours, turning the bird several times so it marinates evenly.
• Pop the tab off the beer can.
• Pour half of the beer over the soaking wood chips or chunks, if using or reserve for another use.
• Make 2 additional holes in the top of the beer can and set aside. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard marinade.
• Hold the bird upright, with the opening of the body cavity at the bottom, and lower it onto the beer can so the can fits into the cavity.
• Pull the chicken legs forward to form a sort of tripod, so the bird stands upright.
• The rear leg of the tripod is the beer can.
• Tuck the tips of the wings behind the chickens back.
• Set up the grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium.
• If using a charcoal grill, place a large drip pan in the center.
• If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips or chunks, if using, in the smoker box or a smoker pouch and preheat on high until you see smoke, then reduce the heat to medium.
• When ready to cook, if using a charcoal grill, toss all the wood chips on the coals, stand the chicken upright in the center of the hot grate, over the drip pan and away from the heat.
• Cover the grill and cook the chicken until the skin is a dark golden brown and very crisp and the meat is cooked through (about 180F), about 1 1/2- 1 1/2 hours.
• If using a charcoal grill, you need to add 12 fresh coals per side after 1 hour.
• If the chicken skin starts to brown too much, loosely tent the bird with aluminum foil.
• Using tongs, hold the bird by the can and carefully transfer it in an upright position to a platter. Present the bird to your guests.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then carefully lift it off the support.
• Take care not to spill the hot beer or othewise burn yourself.
• Halve, quarter, or carve the chicken and serve with Spicy Peanut Sauce (you can buy it at the store or make from scratch).

BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, about 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Mix the brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, dry mustard, salt, and ground black pepper in a small bowl. Place the half-full can of beer in the center of a plate.
• Rinse chicken under cold running water. Discard giblets and neck from chicken; drain and pat dry. Fit whole chicken over the can of beer with the legs on the bottom; keep upright. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the seasoning mix into the top cavity of the chicken. The beer may foam up when the seasonings fall inside the can. Rub the remaining seasoning mix over the entire surface of the chicken.
• Place the chicken, standing on the can, directly on the preheated grill. Close the lid and barbeque the chicken until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 hour 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove the chicken from the grill and discard the beer can. Cover the chicken with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.

SAIGON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mince marinade ingredients by hand or process in food processor.
• Marinate chicken at least 2 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator.
• If roasting entire chicken, can put an onion and a lemon inside chicken. Roast at 350 approximately 1 hour with occasional basting.
• If barbecuing pieces, baste with marinade and cook until it is as you like. I tend to cook long over medium-low coals with mesquite chips.