Hahn Estates Chardonnay With Beer Can Chicken

Okay...this does sound funny..beer can chicken paired with wine, but any roasted chicken will pair perfectly with the Hahn Estates Chardonnay. Instead of beer, we are going to steam with wine so make sure you have plenty of wine to use to cook the chicken and then enjoy with your finished meal! One of our Hahn Family Wine Club members shared this recipe with us.

Since this recipe is prepared on a BBQ, make sure your grill has enough clearance inside to have the whole chicken sitting upright on a can.

Wine Steamed Beer Can Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 empty 12oz soda or beer can washed
• fresh whole chicken (4-5lbs)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic minced or pressed
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
• 3/4 cup Hahn Estates Chardonnay

Preparation:

1. Remove giblets from chicken and discard. Rinse chicken inside and out and pat dry. Cut off excess skin and fat around body cavity.
2. In a small bowl , mix oil, garlic, thyme, salt an dpeper. With your fingers, gently loosen skin over breast, being careful not to tear skin. Gently rub mixture evenly over breast meat under the skin.
3. Prepare charcoal or gas grill for indirect heat.
4. Rinse can and shake dry. Pour wine into can, then carefully lower chicken over can until can is inside body cavity. Gently pull legs forward so chicken stands upright on can.
5. Carefully set chciken and can, in this upright position, on center of grill (not over direct heat). Cover charcoal grill and open vents or close lid on gas grill. Cook until the instant read thermometer inserted through thickest part of breast to bone reaches 160 degrees, about 1 hour.
6. Using oven mitts, carefully remove chicken with can from grill, keeping it upright. Let chicken stand on can for 15 minutes, then holding a towel around the can to steady it and protect your hands,use a large carving fork to carefully remove chicken from can to a rimmed carving board or serving platter.
7. Carve chicken and serve with Hahn Estates Chardonnay and any side dishes you like.