The barbecue is one of the most quintessential summer traditions. We all have a story about how we met our best friend or got married over some good barbecue. Grilling chicken is no exception to this tradition, but there are many different ways to grill chicken that will make it taste just as delicious and juicy as any other meat you can barbecue. One way to do this is the big green egg beer can chicken. This recipe may sound strange at first, but it’s actually very easy and incredibly tasty once you get into the groove of grilling with beer cans!
The social benefits of a barbecue are many:
- First, gatherings among friends and family can promote healthy living. The cookouts allow us to indulge in our favorite foods without guilt because we’re enjoying them with friends and loved ones!
- Second, barbecues feed not just the stomach but also the mind. The time spent cooking alongside friends is a great conversation starter for those who enjoy offbeat topics or want to find out more about someone they don’t know well enough yet (i.e., “Tell me something I don’t know”).
- Thirdly, grilling promotes bonding between people as it takes some skillful cooperation on both sides of the grill surface – one side cooks while the other side looks after burning meat from touching coals or setting off the alarm.
The key to a successful barbecue is the quality of food and friends you invite, not what type of grill surface you use: charcoal, gas, wood chips (for smokers), an outdoor oven; even an indoor stovetop with cast iron grates will do in a pinch.
A tasty side dish
One dish that’s perfect for summertime barbecues is this salad – it’s so fresh and light that your friends won’t feel guilty about indulging in some grilled meat afterward!
- For the salad, use fresh veggies such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and zucchini. Thinly slice the vegetables for a crunchier salad texture that makes it easier on your jaw muscles while eating (bonus: this salad is healthy!).
- Add in some red onion slices and dried thyme or oregano leaves if you want more flavor. You can also add avocado cubes for creaminess. This recipe calls for pepperoncini peppers which give just enough spice without being too hot – but feel free to omit them if they’re not your thing.
How To Make A Cucumber Tomato Zucchini Salad:
- Slice cucumber, tomatoes, and zucchini into thin pieces.
- Add onion slices to the salad bowl and mix in the veggies with some dried thyme or oregano leaves (optional).
- Pour dressing made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt/pepper, and fresh ground black pepper on salad; toss until coated thoroughly. Top salad with avocado cubes if desired.
And that’s it! The perfect summertime side dish for your next barbecue – healthy too! It also lasts well when stored in an airtight container so you can enjoy leftovers all week long 🙂
Grilled chicken recipe:
- Wash chicken, pat dry with a paper towel, or use your grill brush to remove any excess grease/oils from the skin.
- Stuff cavity with lemon halves, garlic cloves, and salt & pepper.
- The idea is to get as much contact area possible between the bird’s thighs and rubbing against the sides so meat becomes well flavored with spices.
- Place on grill over direct heat and cover with a lid so that smoke will filter up through the open end to flavor chicken as it cooks.
- Cook for 30 minutes; check periodically, adding more charcoal if needed or turning the bird around to cook evenly.
- When you’re done cooking, it’s best to keep your chicken on a plate for ten minutes before cutting into it so that all of the juices can settle in their proper place and not leak out onto your plate when they are cut open.
- Use tongs to handle the meat instead of a fork or knife.
- Serve whole after taking off the grill, cutting into pieces at the table using a large knife if you like (or have someone else do this job). The juices in the cavity should be enough to keep the meat moist without any additional sauce required!
- Have guests pass plates around for everyone’s enjoyment.
Pit Master Tip
It’s best to use a beer that is not too heavy in flavor for this recipe because if it doesn’t have much of an aftertaste then the barbecue sauce will be able to do its job better, which is providing some additional moisture as well as adding flavor. Enjoy!
