Chicken Inasal (Filipino Barbecue Chicken)
Chicken Inasal or simply Inasal, which is the dialect for grilled or barbecue is a popular dish in the Philippines that originated from the City of Bacolod. It is different from the usual chicken barbecue from the country because it is marinated in vinegar, kalamansi juice and other spices like lemongrass and ginger. The color is also quite unique: orange because it uses a special basting sauce that is with annatto/achuete oil. It is usually served on bamboo skewers direct from the grill with rice and a dip of spiced vinegar.
So if you are tired of the old and usual chicken barbecue, this is the one to try. You will find that the taste is uniquely refreshing and very flavorful.
Chicken Inasal became so popular among Filipinos that a lot of restaurants or grills specializing in this particular dish emerge all over Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. How bad that its popularity hasn’t reached Germany (yet?!) which means I had to do it on my own. Oh well, I think that is the life of an immigrant (craving for home food). I have to admit, I learned so much more about Filipino cooking and recipes when I came here in Germany. I know a lot of dishes but usually, I just ordered them from the menu and not think so much how they are prepared. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining…at all!
The first time I made this, it was an instant hit and Armin is now a fan and just last week I was asked to help organize food prep for our company grill party next month and I am thinking of giving them some sample of Filipino cuisine and this is will be my frontrunner along with some Filipino desserts, Leche Flan and Maja Blanca. So wish me luck!
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Chicken Inasal (Filipino Chicken Barbecue)
INGREDIENTS
- 2 pound chicken - - cut into serving size
MARINADE
- 1 cup vinegar - (coconut, cane or cider)
- 1 1/2 pieces lemon - (or 15 kalamansi) juiced (approx. half cup)
- 1 thumb fresh ginger - - peeled
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 stalks lemon grass
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
BASTING SAUCE
- 3 tablespoons Annato/Achuete oil
- 5 tablespoons margarine - or butter - melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice - or kalamansi juice
INSTRUCTIONS
- Dissolve sugar and salt in vinegar. Combine vinegar and all other ingredients for the marinade in a blender and pulse for 2-3 minutes until all are cut into tiny pieces.
- Place chicken pieces in a ziplock or any food-grade plastic. Pour in the marinade into the plastic with the chicken and seal. Refrigerate for at least an hour but overnight will be better.
- Take out from the fridge when ready to cook.
- Prepare the basting sauce by simple combining all the ingredients in a bowl. Grill the chicken pieces for about 20 minutes or until well done while basting both sides with the annatto oil.
If you cannot find ready annatto/achuete oil, you can make your own
1 ½ Tablespoon of annatto seeds for every 4 Tbsp of vegetable oil
Heat oil and annatto seeds in a saucepan over medium heat. When it starts to bubble around the seeds, remove from heat. DO NOT overcook or they will get bitter. Let cool down to room temperature. Separate the seeds from oil using a strainer.
If annato seeds are also not available, mix some Paprika and turmeric powder in oil as a substitute to achieve that orange-yellow hue.
Hi Bebs! So I just made this today- I’m hoping I did it correctly. Quick question though- so I blended the lemongrass, garlic and ginger. Now there seem to be quite a handful of pulp. Am I supposed to sift it before marinating the chicken or will the pulp give it more flavour? If so, am I suppose to dust it off the chicken before grilling them? I’m worried I might have ruined the chicken by marinating it with the pulp! Yikes!
Hi Joan, just pour everything into the chicken and remove or like you said dust it off when you are about to grill…
hi, 1 1/2 lemon juice
Cup?
1 and a half lemon, juiced …approximately half cup of lemon juice.
Finally, got a recipe that’s not too complicated. Tried this and it turned out well! Thanks for sharing!
I know, right, Sarah! Life is short so we try to make it simple and easier here at Foxy Folksy.
I will really try this recipe,thanks a lot for posting.
You should, Liza. It is really good.
Hello Bebs,
What a great recipe. My family is craving for Mang Inasal chicken bbque today so I am going to make this. Is there any substitute for lemongrass if it is not available in my shopping market? Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Bobby, I’ve read that lemon zest could be used as substu=itute for lemongrass…but personally, I think it is not the same. But you can try it.
Thank you for posting this yummy yet simple chicken dish. I never had Chicken Inasal before. It was a hit last night! My hubby (who is British) loved it very much. Thank you for posting!
That is good to hear Rose! Glad you and your hubby enjoyed it! 🙂
Bebs how much of the i gredients for the dipping sauce.
Hi Roger, I usually mix it without exact measurements but it would be somewhat like this: 1-2 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/3 cup vinegar, 1/2 medium onions, chopped finely and some chili flakes or fresh chili.
Thank you my wife is Filipina and i am going to surprise her with this dish for our Valentine’s day dinner. Keep the recipes coming.
Hi Roger, I am pretty sure you’ve got some extra brownie points from your wife for the thought and gesture. That is really sweet! ????
What are the ingredients for the dipping sauce. Thank you.
I mix together a bit of soy sauce, vinegar, chopped onions and chili flakes. You can also use soy sauce, calamansi juice, and chili.
Kabalen, salamat keng blog mu, susubukan kune itang tocino mu, atiu ne king ref to marinate atlung aldo. Ginamit kune mu rin itang empanada dough recipe mu, manyaman ya kanu ana ning misis ku atsaka kapatad. Salamat talaga keng pag share mu keng lutung kapampangan!
Dakal mu rin samalat keng suporta Kabalen at masaya ku na aburi yu ing blog ku ampong deng recipes keni. 😉
I’ll start kitchen testing this recipe with all chicken wings. What do you think, if I use Fish Sauce (Patis) in stead of salt? This recipe looks like to be a winner. This will definitely have a more natural taste than the usual spice laden barbecue mixes. I think this will give Bob Araj Persian Chicken barbecue a run for the money on our next PTA summer cook out. lol
Hi Vermil, first of all..thanks for all your comments and I am really thrilled to try some of your suggestions. Now about using patis, I would say go for it!!! I actually use it as well for marinating chicken for frying and taste a lot better than just salt. So I am pretty sure that it will be also great alternative for this Chicken Inasal recipe. I also made this for our company barbecue last year and it was surely a great hit with the Germans (among others..we are a bit multicultural). 😉
What a great and simple recipe. I am pretty sure that this will be a much talked about and finger licking good for this coming summer barbecue picnics in my kids school. These events are “pot luck” events wherein the fathers talk about sports and the mothers talk about food. I am the only parent who can talk about Steph Curry and Chicken Curry at the same time. hahahahaha. Again, danke schoen.