Chicken Inasal

The chicken inasal is a popular dish from the City of Bacolod, Philippines. Unlike the usual barbecue or grilled chicken that uses soy sauce, this dish uses different ingredients for its marinade and basting sauce that create a unique flavor. The smoked flavor added by cooking the meat on a hot charcoal grill imbibes the marinade and makes the dish tastier. This dish is also distinct for its yellowish color brought about by the application of achuete or annatto oil.

Ingredients:

2 lbs chicken cut into serving pieces
Marinade:
2 tablespoons ginger, minced
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
3/4 cup lemongrass, chopped
1 cup coconut vinegar
1/2 cup lemon or calamansi juice
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup lemon soda (softdrink)
1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
Basting Sauce:
3 tablespoons annatto oil (atsuete oil)
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon or calamansi juice

Cooking procedure:

1. In a freezer bag or large bowl, combine chicken, lemongrass, salt, ground black pepper, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, vinegar, lemon-lime soda, and lemon juice.
2. Stir or shake the mixture until every ingredient is well incorporated. Marinade for 1 to 3 hours.
3. In a bowl, combine margarine, annatto oil, salt, and lemon juice then stir. Set aside.
4. Grill the chicken while basting generous amount of the margarine mixture.
5. Transfer the grilled chicken to a serving plate.