Coke Can Chicken On The Grill

Coke Can Chicken On The Grill is a fun twist on a beer can chicken.  I love the flavor that Coca-Cola adds to meat when you cook with it.  And let’s face bbq sauce and chicken go hand in hand. 

Grilling accessories are kinda fun to collect, not going to lie at all! The old lady is always picking up meat on markdown for us to grill up, and whole chickens are a favorite to pick up.   I grilled this up on our new Expert Grill with 6 Burners from Walmart (see it -> here)
Now I know you are thinking Walmart really… but there is no need to spend a lot on a gas grill it does its job, and we have had no issues with it.  (Plus you can’t beat the price of their grilling accessories, see them -> here) And honestly, I would rather have more accessories then name-brand accessories. Amazon has some amazing ideas as well.

Coke Can Chicken Ingredients:

• Coca-Cola In The Can-You can change this up with any dark soda, Diet Coke, Root Beer, Dr. Pepper, or Coke Zero. The flavor of soda will alter the taste a bit, but it will work
• Johnny’s Seasoning Salt
• Montreal Steak Seasoning
• Lawry’s Garlic Salt
• BBQ Sauce-I used a honey barbecue sauce, but any flavor works.
• Whole Chicken

I make an All-Purpose Seasoning (see it here!). I keep it on hand at all times and use it on all my meat.

How To Make Coke Can Chicken On The Grill:

Fire up your grill and let it warm up to a cooking temperature.  If you are using charcoal, this will take a bit of time.  You can cook this on the lowest setting or medium heat on a gas grill. 

Prep the chicken to be grilled, remove the chicken innards out of the body cavity of the chicken, rinse off, and pat dry.

Pour out ½ the can of Coca-Cola into a glass to enjoy or to set aside to mix into bbq sauce. 

Place the ½ full Coca-Cola can into the Beer Can Chicken Holder on a cookie sheet.  I didn’t line with tin foil this time, but I recommend it, as it makes cleanup much easier. 

Position the whole chicken upright on the beer can rack that is holding the Coca-Cola can. This will act as a drip pan in the grill.

Rub your chicken down with a bit of olive oil all over.

Season with the seasoning of your choice. I did a combination of Johnny’s Seasoning Salt, Montreal Steak Seasoning, and Lawry’s Garlic Salt. 

If you want, carefully move the chicken with the can and holder onto a new cookie sheet. 

Next, carefully carry the cookie sheet to your grill with your chicken on it to your grill. 

Allow the chicken to cook until your meat is at a food-safe temperature, use a food thermometer to verify the internal temp

You can skip this step and eat the chicken without BBQ sauce, but if you want, mix BBQ sauce with a bit of Coca-Cola. 

Pour the bbq sauce over your chicken and use a basting brush to ensure it coats the whole chicken. 

Cook for another 10 minutes and remove and serve. 

Alternate Ingredients And Seasoning

• Black Pepper
• Brown Sugar
• Chili Powder
• Onion Powder
• Cayenne Pepper
• Paprika

Other Ways To Cook Beer Can Chicken

• Throw this straight on a pellet grill and smoke low and slow.
• Use a roasting pan in place of a baking sheet for cooking.
• On your gas grill you can add a smoker box with wood chips as you grill to add smoke flavor. Also the Camp Chief cold smoker pairs amazing with this recipe on the grill for smokey flavoring.
• I have also cooked this on a Charcoal grill before.
• Always cook to an internal temperate of above 165 degrees.

How to Store Leftover Soda Can Chicken

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

What To Serve Coke Can Chicken:

Smoked Appetizers: Smoked Cream Cheese, Easy Smoked Queso Dip, Easy Smoked Refried Bean Dip

Smoked Side Dishes: Smoked Baked Potatoes, Smoked Green Bean Casserole, Smoked Sweet Potato Casserole, Smoked Baked Potatoes, Smoked Loaded Cheesy Potatoes, Smoked Deviled Eggs, Smoked Loaded Baked Beans, Creamy Smoked Macaroni And Cheese, Smoked Loaded Cheesy Potatoes

Grilled Side Dishes: Cheesy Grilled Asparagus, Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Grilled Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes, Grilled Corn On The Cob, Grilled Zucchini, Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Recipes Using A Coca-Cola Brine:

While there is no limit to what you can make with a Coca-Cola Brine, below are my favorites. You can swap out Coca-Cola for any dark soda; this is just my go-to flavor.

• Boneless BBQ Ribs
• Cornish Game Hens
• Chicken Legs 
• Chicken Thighs
• Coca-Cola Smoked Turkey
• Pork Shoulder Roast
• Chicken Leg Quarters
• Chicken Wings
• Pork Shoulder