To get started, you need to set up your grill for indirect grilling with a hot and cool zone. To do this, your grill just needs to have at least two burners where one is on and one is off. On grills with three or more burners, the center burners are turned off.
First, ignite all of the burners to high, close the lid, and heat the grill to 500 degrees F. Then, turn off one or more burners to create an indirect heat zone. Try and keep the temperature between 350 and 400 degrees F. while the chicken is cooking.
Classic BBQ Rub
1-1/2 tsp. sweet paprika
1 tsp. kosher salt
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 tsp. light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 can Dr. Pepper (remove 3/4 cup from can and reserve for BBQ sauce, if making.
Rinse chicken and pat dry. Sprinkle 2 tsp. of the rub inside the chicken cavity. Brush outside of chicken with 1 Tbsp. oil, then sprinkle with the remaining rub, pressing it onto the chicken.
Wash your soda can with soap and water - you never know.
After removing 3/4 cup of soda, poke 2-3 additional holes in the top of the can.
Arrange chicken cavity on can and try not to laugh.
Pull the legs forward to form a tripod.
She was a bit camera shy.
Place chicken over unlit portion of the grill; cover and cook until skin is golden and crisp and juices run clear. Thigh should register at 180 degrees F. when done, about 1-1-1/4 hours.
Rotate the chicken halfway through grilling.
To turn the chicken, use tongs and a clean kitchen towel and carefully turn.
Remove chicken from grill using tongs and towel.
Remove the can carefully! You may need to twist or wiggle the can back and forth to loosen it.
Let chicken rest for 15 minutes.
Serve with Dr. Pepper Chipotle BBQ Sauce
I think this just might be the perfect way to cook a bird.
Juicy inside, cracklin' outside and full of flavor!
Juicy inside, cracklin' outside and full of flavor!
Wow, that looks amazing! A couple years ago you could buy ceramic heads for the top of the chicken, they were hilarious:@)
ReplyDeleteNow that looks like a great roasted chicken on the grill! I can't imagine how much more juicy this tastes than the store-bought versions, plus a whole lot more inexpensive, plus not heating up the kitchen with the use of the oven! And that's PERFECT in my book! Thanks for sharing this Patti!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteSounds great! I've cooked roasts using Coke, but I've never thought of cooking with Dr. Pepper!
ReplyDeleteLove Dr. Pepper but quit drinking soda....using it this way negates the possibility of weight gain and doesn't count...right? LOL You made my day!
ReplyDeletePatti, I was going to prepare this tonight and realized that we did not have ONE can of Dr. Pepper in the house for simply grilling the chicken (let alone the BBQ sauce)!!!! Can I use something else besides Dr. Pepper for the roasting/grilling process? Thanks for this great idea!
ReplyDeleteRoz, you can use any soda or beer to prepare this. It's really the rub that gives this chicken it's flavor. The beer or soda mostly steams the chicken on the inside. Let me know how yours came out!
DeleteIs the Dr. Pepper supposed to flow out of can onto chicken because of the heat or is it just the steam factor? I have to cook this in the oven, also, will that change the taste?
ReplyDeleteIt is the steam factor Darlene. I don't think it will change the taste much, but I recommend you make the BBQ sauce! Hope it turns out great!
DeleteWhat if i dont have multiple burner grill
ReplyDeleteIf you don't have a multiple burner grill Archibald, try charcoal with coals on half the side of the grill! I haven't tried baking it.
DeleteHey It's Deonna from the Child at Heart blog! I featured this recipe in my tribute to Dr. Pepper recipes. I am happy to share it and pinned it from your site to my Pinterest board all about Dr. Pepper. Thanks! Come check it out the post at
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thechildatheartblog.com/2014/04/dr-pepper-recipes-desserts-main-dishes.html
Can you cook this without a grill? like in an oven?
ReplyDeleteI think it would still be good if you baked this chicken with the rub.
Delete