Beer And Chicken: Lemon Bakes And Pale Ales

Lemon baked chicken is a delicious dish that can be made even better with the right beer pairing. Beer can be used as a marinade to make the chicken juicy and tender, or it can be served as a refreshing beverage to complement the flavours of the dish. When it comes to choosing a beer to drink with lemon baked chicken, there are a few options to consider.

One option is to choose a beer that will complement the lemon flavour in the dish. A lighter, crisp beer with citrus notes can help enhance the lemon flavour in the chicken. Something like a wheat beer or a pale ale could be a good choice.

Another option is to go for a contrast by choosing a beer with a strong, distinct flavour that will stand up to the lemon. A dark beer, such as a stout or a porter, could add an interesting depth of flavour to the meal.

Ultimately, the best beer to drink with lemon baked chicken is a matter of personal preference. Experimenting with different beer styles and flavours can be a fun way to find your favourite pairing. So, whether you prefer a crisp lager, a fruity ale, or a rich stout, don't be afraid to try something new and discover your perfect beer match for lemon baked chicken.

Beer can chicken in the oven

This recipe for beer can chicken in the oven is easy to prepare and cook, and it always turns out juicy and tender with a delicious flavour. The steam from the beer creates an amazing moist chicken. The chicken is roasted at a high temperature, so it gets nice and crispy all around, with no more soggy chicken on the bottom.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (3-4.5 lbs)
• 12 fl oz beer (a light beer is best, but you can use whatever you have to hand)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tbsp dried tarragon
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• All-purpose seasoning

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350-425°F. You may need to remove racks from the oven so that the chicken will fit. Do this before the oven gets hot.

Remove any giblets from the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. Mix all the rub ingredients together in a bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and rub it in all over. Sprinkle over the rub and use your hands to massage it into all the nooks and crannies.

Open the can of beer and pour about a quarter of it into a roasting pan. Place the beer can in the centre of the pan. Place the chicken upright over the beer can. Use the chicken legs to support its body and act as a tripod, preventing the chicken from falling over.

Transfer the roasting pan to the oven. Bake for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. To check if it's done, insert a knife into the thickest part of the thigh—the juices should run clear. To properly test if the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.

Carefully lift the chicken off the can. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and cover with aluminium foil. Let it sit for 15 minutes before carving.

Beer and garlic grilled chicken

Ingredients

• 11 ounces dark Mexican beer
• 3 tablespoons sesame seed oil
• 5 large cloves of garlic, minced (approximately 1 ½ tablespoons)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3-4 pounds chicken (typically 9-10 boneless skinless chicken thighs)

Method

Place the chicken in a gallon-size zip-close bag or an airtight container. In a bowl, mix the beer, oil, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir together the marinade ingredients and pour over the chicken. Seal and turn the bag or container to coat the pieces evenly. Let rest in the refrigerator for 12-36 hours. When ready to cook the meat, let the chicken rest on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour prior to cooking.

Preheat the grill to medium heat. For boneless skinless chicken thighs, cook the meat for 6 minutes on each side. Then, increase the heat closer to medium-high and cook for an additional 4 minutes, as needed. Enjoy!

Tips

• It is recommended to marinate chicken for a minimum of 24 hours, as the longer time makes a huge difference in the flavor.
• When grilling the chicken, aim for medium heat and adjust the temperature as needed.
• Feel free to use any type of beer you have on hand. The darker the beer, the more flavor it will add to the chicken.

Beer marinated chicken

Ingredients:

• 11 ounces of dark Mexican beer
• 3 tablespoons of sesame seed oil
• 5 large cloves of garlic, minced (approximately 1 ½ tablespoons)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 3-4 pounds of chicken (typically 9-10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs)

Instructions:

• Place the chicken in a gallon-size zip-close bag or an airtight container.
• In a separate bowl, stir together the beer, sesame seed oil, garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag or container, and turn it to coat the chicken evenly.
• Refrigerate for 12-36 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the more intense the flavour will be.
• When ready to cook, let the chicken rest on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour.
• Preheat your grill to medium heat.
• Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 6 minutes on each side.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for an additional 4 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
• Enjoy your delicious beer-marinated chicken!

Tips:

• If you don't have beer on hand, you can purchase individual bottles from stores like Trader Joe's.
• You can also experiment with different types of beer to find your preferred flavour.
• For extra flavour, try pounding the chicken to an even thickness before marinating to ensure even cooking and juiciness.
• This recipe can also be adapted for the oven or air fryer.
• Serve with sides like romaine lettuce, cucumber tomato salad, grilled vegetables, or campfire potatoes.

Beer lime grilled chicken

Ingredients

• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can light-coloured beer
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Optional Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Lime juice

Method

In a bowl, mix the lime juice, beer, honey, garlic, cilantro, and salt and pepper until the honey dissolves. Pour the mixture over the chicken, cover and marinate for 30 minutes to overnight.

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate.

Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off the excess. Discard the remaining marinade. Grill the chicken until tender and the juices run clear, about 7 minutes per side.

Tips

• If you don't have a grill, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
• For extra flavour, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the marinade.
• If you're short on time, you can skip the marinating step and toss the chicken directly into the mixture before placing it on the grill.
• For a more intense lime flavour, use lime zest in addition to, or instead of, the lime juice.
• You can also try adding a touch of soy sauce or fish sauce to the marinade for extra depth of flavour.
• If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Grilled chicken drumsticks with beer marinade

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons steak seasoning, divided
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 2 ounces orange juice
• 12 ounces light beer or lager
• Juice of one lime
• Cracked black pepper
• Olive oil

Method

• Season the chicken drumsticks with one tablespoon of steak seasoning, and cumin powder.
• Place in a deep bowl and add orange juice and beer.
• Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
• Remove chicken drumsticks from marinade and preheat grill to 500ºF.
• Drizzle chicken with olive oil and season with the remaining tablespoon of steak seasoning and cracked pepper.
• Squeeze the juice of a lime over the top.
• Place chicken drumsticks on the grill, skin side down, for 5 minutes.
• Turn the heat down to 400ºF and then cook drumsticks for an additional 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes until golden brown.

Tips

• The darker the beer, the more flavour it will add to the chicken.
• Don't have any orange juice? Squeeze the juice from one orange and add that instead.
• Use your favourite grilling seasoning.
• Use whatever cuts of chicken you prefer and adjust cooking times.

Pairing with beer

The beer you choose to drink with your lemon baked chicken depends on your personal preference. However, a light beer is often recommended to accompany chicken dishes.

Frequently asked questions