Filipino Chicken Barbecue: The Ultimate Recipe for Your Next Cookout

This Filipino Chicken Barbecue recipe features a secret marinade of banana ketchup and lemon-lime soda for a uniquely sweet and savory flavor. Perfect for home cooks, this guide walks you through creating juicy, tender chicken that's an instant cookout classic.

Filipino Chicken Barbecue, or Inihaw na Manok, is so much more than just grilled chicken. It’s the centerpiece of countless backyard parties, family gatherings, and lazy Sunday afternoons in the Philippines. I can almost smell it now: the sweet, smoky aroma of sizzling chicken on the grill, a scent that instantly brings me back to my childhood. If you’ve ever had it, you know exactly what I mean. The flavor is a perfect harmony of sweet, savory, and tangy, unlike any barbecue you’ve tasted before. This recipe is my go-to for making authentic-tasting Filipino chicken barbecue at home. I’ve refined it over the years to be foolproof, whether you’re a seasoned griller or just starting out. We’ll walk through the secrets to that incredible marinade and the simple techniques that ensure every piece is juicy and perfectly caramelized. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a dish that tastes like a summer vacation.

Quick Recipe

Why This Filipino Chicken Barbecue Recipe Is a Must-Try

The ingredients: Simple Pantry Staples, Incredible Flavor

One of the best parts about this recipe is that you probably have most of the ingredients on hand already. The key is how they work together to create a truly special flavor profile.

Ingredients for Filipino Chicken Barbecue
Ingredients for Filipino Chicken Barbecue

For the Marinade:

For the Chicken & Basting:

Step-by-Step Instructions: Mastering the Grill

This is where the magic happens. We’ll take our marinated chicken and turn it into a grilled masterpiece.

Step 1: The Marinade & The Marinating

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients: banana ketchup, soy sauce, lemon-lime soda, brown sugar, lemon juice, minced garlic, oyster sauce, and black pepper. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
  2. Reserve about 1/2 cup of this marinade in a separate, covered container. This will become our basting sauce later. It’s crucial to set aside the basting sauce now, before it touches the raw chicken, to prevent any food safety issues.
  3. Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch strips. Place the chicken into the remaining marinade, tossing to coat every piece. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally, overnight. A long marinade time is essential for the chicken to become super tender and soak up all that incredible flavor.

Step 2: Skewering & Grill Prep

  1. Before you start, make sure your bamboo skewers have been soaking in water for at least 30 minutes. This simple step keeps them from burning to a crisp on the grill.
  2. Thread the marinated chicken strips onto the soaked skewers. You can fold the chicken back and forth in a zigzag pattern to create a compact, even layer. Don’t overcrowd them—leave a little space between each piece so they cook evenly.
  3. Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat. You’re looking for a heat level that will give you a nice char without burning the outside before the inside is cooked. If using charcoal, create a two-zone fire with a hot side and a cooler side.

Step 3: Grilling the Filipino Chicken Barbecue

  1. Place the skewers directly over the medium-high heat. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side, until the chicken is browned and has those beautiful grill marks. The key here is to keep an eye on them—the sugar in the marinade can cause them to char quickly.
  2. Once browned on all sides, move the skewers to the cooler side of the grill. This is where we’ll finish cooking them gently.
  3. Now, grab that reserved basting sauce. Generously brush the chicken on both sides. The basting sauce adds a beautiful, glossy glaze and a final boost of flavor. Continue to flip and baste every 2-3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
chicken is sizzling
chicken is sizzling

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

The Better Serve

Creating this Filipino Chicken Barbecue is an absolute joy. It’s a recipe that’s deeply rooted in flavor and tradition, and it’s a dish I’m always proud to share. The sweet and savory marinade, the tender, juicy chicken, and that gorgeous grilled char make it an instant crowd-pleaser. You’ll find yourself making this recipe again and again, for every cookout, potluck, and family dinner you host. So go ahead, try it out. Take your time, enjoy the process, and get ready to create a meal that’s not just delicious, but truly memorable. Happy cooking!

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