Herb & Garlic Beer Can Chicken with Tomato & Bread Salad

1Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper. Place chicken in large re-sealable plastic bag with about 1/3 cup (75 mL) of the lemon juice marinade, reserving the remainder. Turn chicken to coat. Refrigerate 3 hr.

2Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade in bag). Open can of beer and pour out about 3/4 cup (175 mL) beer; reserving it for another use. (Note: The smaller amount of beer left in the can heats up faster, creating more steam to flavour the chicken as it cooks.) Add 2 tbsp (30 mL) reserved marinade to beer in can. Place partially filled beer can upright in centre of foil roasting pan, approx. size 9 x 11-in. (23 x 28-cm). Push chicken cavity onto beer can, with legs on the bottom.

3Pour 2 cups (500 mL) water into the pan; place on grill preheated to medium-high. With BBQ lid down, cook 45 to 55 min., or until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of the inner thigh registers 165°F (74°C). Remove pan from BBQ. Let chicken rest in roasting pan on beer can 15 min. Carefully remove chicken from beer can (it will still be hot) and carve.

4Meanwhile, grill baguette halves 2 to 3 min., turning once, until toasted and lightly charred. Cut into 1-in. (2.5 cm) cubes. In large bowl, toss together tomatoes, red onion, basil, bread cubes, remaining reserved marinade and remaining salt and pepper. Serve chicken with bread salad.