Shelly's Recipe

COLA-CAN CHICKEN

Category: Recipes

Barbecue Rub – Combine:
1 tablespoon mild chili powder
2 teaspoons salt and light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pepper, ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

2 tablespoons Barbecue Rub, divided
1 (3 ½ to 4 lb) whole chicken
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (12 ounce) can cola

Cola Barbecue Sauce
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 small onion, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup reserved cola and ketchup
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
2 tablespoons juice, Worcestershire sauce and steak sauce
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke, pepper
Salt to taste

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon Barbecue Rub inside body cavity and 1/2 teaspoon inside neck cavity of chicken. Rub oil over skin. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Barbecue Rub, and rub over skin.

Pour out half of cola (about 3/4 cup), and reserve for Cola Barbecue Sauce, leaving remaining cola in can. Make 2 additional holes in top of can. Spoon remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons rub into cola can. Cola will start to foam.

Place chicken upright onto the cola can, fitting can into cavity. Pull legs forward to form a tripod, allowing chicken to stand upright.

Prepare a fire by piling charcoal on one side of grill, leaving other side empty. (For gas grills, light only one side.) Place a drip pan on unlit side, and place food rack on grill. Place chicken upright over drip pan. Grill, covered with grill lid, 1 hour and 15 minutes or until golden and a meat thermometer registers 180°.

Remove chicken from grill, and let stand 5 minutes; carefully remove can. Serve with Cola Barbecue Sauce.

Cola Barbecue Sauce: Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, ginger, and garlic; sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in reserved cola; bring mixture to a boil. Stir in ketchup and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.