Chicken Inasal Recipe (Delicious Filipino Chicken)

This chicken inasal recipe is my favorite Filipino chicken dish that’s easy to make and perfect for any day of the week. Marinated in a blend of soy sauce, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, and other delicious seasonings, the chicken is baked to juicy perfection and basted with a flavorful marinade I can't get enough of. I know you'll love it!

The Best Filipino Barbecue Chicken

Let's get this out of the way; you might be wondering "what is inasal?" Inasal simply means roasted or char-grilled meat.

This chicken inasal is a common street food in the Philippines that is traditionally made by grilling over charcoal to get a one-of-a-kind charred, smoky meat flavor. Since you can't get this delicious chicken everywhere, I tailored the authentic Filipino grilled chicken so it can be made easily at home in the oven.

The first time I made this recipe, I was blown away by how tender and flavorful the chicken turned out. The combination of ginger, garlic, and soy sauce gives it a depth of flavor that’s both tangy and savory, while the annatto powder adds that classic golden color that makes the chicken look as good as it tastes.

That said, what I love most about this recipe is it’s incredibly easy to prepare yet tastes like something you’d enjoy at a restaurant. I always love that the marinade can be prepared ahead of time, making it a great option for busy nights. 

Ingredients

Don't be intimidated by the ingredient list. It's a little long, but if you don't have everything at home, it's worth going to the grocery store to pick them. Then you'll have everything on hand cause I guarantee you'll want to make this once a week!

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious chicken inasal recipe:

• ½ cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 8 garlic cloves, crushed and roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 tablespoon annatto powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 lemon grass stalks
• 1 lemon, sliced (from the lemon you squeezed earlier)
• 200ml sprite
• 6 chicken legs

How to Make Chicken Inasal

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

In a large bowl or ziplock bag, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, lemon juice, grated ginger, garlic, brown sugar, avocado oil, annatto powder, salt, and black pepper.

Then add the lemon grass stalks and lemon slices.

Next, pour 100ml of Sprite into the bowl and stir to combine everything together. You'll need to reserve 3 tablespoons of this marinade in a small bowl for basting, then add the remaining sprite to the marinade.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Now submerge the chicken legs in the marinade, making sure they are fully coated. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours for maximum flavor.

The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful it will be!

Step 3: Bake the Chicken

Now preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a baking rack over a lined baking sheet and arrange the marinated chicken legs on the rack.

Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake the chicken for 35-45 minutes. Every 10 minutes, baste the chicken with the reserved marinade to keep it moist and flavorful.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once the chicken is cooked through and has a golden color, remove it from the oven.

Serve with sticky rice for a classic Filipino dish!

How to Store Leftover Chicken 

If you have any leftovers, store the baked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

If you want to heat it back up, I suggest putting it back on a wire rack in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes or until it's warm.

FAQs About This Chicken Inasal Recipe

Can I grill the chicken instead of baking it?

Yes! Traditionally, chicken inasal is grilled over charcoal for a deep smoky flavor. You can grill the chicken over medium heat, basting frequently with the reserved marinade until the chicken is cooked through.

What sides go well with chicken inasal?

Traditional Filipino sides like sticky rice, atchara (pickled papaya), potato salad or a simple cucumber salad go really well with the chicken.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

If you’re looking for more chicken recipes, check out these popular ones on the blog:

• Chicken tocino
• Mustard fried chicken
• Panko breaded chicken
• Greek yogurt chicken salad