Memphis Beer Can Chicken
This Memphis Beer Can Chicken will knock your socks off with Memphis flavor! My husband and I always try to stop in the famous Charlie Vergos Rendezvous Restaurant when we are passing through Tennessee. Owned and operated since 1948, it’s a true Memphis experience and you can feel the history and rich culture the restaurant and surrounding city exudes. In my opinion, they have THE BEST ribs I have ever tasted, although they offer many other equally delicious foods on their menu, I can never resist ordering at least a half rack, (even if I’m not hungry…they are THAT GOOD!)
I highly recommend stopping in when you are passing through. (Although they do offer nationwide shipping on the barbeque, sauces and seasoning in the US as well.) When you see the famous Bass Pro Shop pyramid, exit and head into downtown towards the Peabody Hotel. The Rendezvous restaurant entrance is in a back alley about one block over from the entrance to the Peabody Hotel. We always try to grab some of their seasoning and sauce when we go in for a little taste of Memphis right at home here in North Carolina.
I already had a great recipe for beer can chicken but decided to use some Charlie Vergos Rendezvous Famous Seasoning one night instead of my normal Cajun blend and WOWZERS…what a juicy and delicious chicken it was! I’m so hooked on using this seasoning blend now, our family devoured the chicken in no time. My recipe is for brining then baking the chicken and makes enough to feed 4-6 adults.
Below are some photos of the famous Pro Bass Shop Pyramid seen from I-40 and also some photos from the real Charlie Vergos Rendezvous Restaurant. You walk down a back alley to the entrance, enter and immediately follow the delightful smell downstairs to the dining room where you can place a to-go order or someone will seat you. In the second photo, the brown building you see in the background past the sign is the famous Pea Body Hotel.
Let’s begin!
How to make beer can chicken
Ingredients:
Instructions:
How to brine a chicken
How to make dry rub seasoning
When removed, let rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing or serving. Why does chicken need to rest before slicing? After removing chicken from oven, it continues to cook during the resting period. It is critical that you do not slice or puncture chicken during this time to allow it to finish and seal all the juices and moisture in. Normally, for smaller chicken cuts, the resting period would be shorter, but this is a large whole chicken that needs to rest longer. If you are worried about it getting cold on the outer parts, place a loose piece of aluminum foil around chicken during the resting period.