What is the secret ingredient of Mang Inasal?

While Mang Inasal keeps its full recipe guarded, most culinary experts agree that the secret lies in the perfect balance of calamansi, lemongrass, cane vinegar, and Sprite . These work together to tenderize the chicken while infusing it with citrusy, aromatic depth. The annatto basting oil also plays a major role by giving the chicken its signature orange glaze and buttery taste.

How is Mang Inasal made?

Traditional Mang Inasal-style chicken is marinated in a mixture of vinegar, citrus juice, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and soda for 6–8 hours. It's then grilled over charcoal , basted continuously with annatto oil , and served hot with garlic rice and sawsawan . The marinade breaks down fibers while the grilling and basting add smoke and richness.

How long can I marinate inasal?

The sweet spot for marination is 6 to 8 hours . That’s enough time for the citrus and aromatics to work their magic. Don’t exceed 8 hours though—too much acid (from vinegar and calamansi) can break down the chicken’s protein and lead to mushy texture. If short on time, you can marinate for as little as 2 hours , but the flavor will be milder. To speed it up, score the meat slightly before marinating to help the liquid penetrate faster.

Chicken Mang Inasal Recipe – Ultimate Copycat, 5-Star Flavor

Name: The Ultimate Copycat Mang Inasal Recipe (Grilled & Oven-Roasted)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 2 stalks lemongrass, minced (white part only); 5 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 thumb ginger, grated; 1/2 cup cane vinegar (or coconut vinegar); 1/4 cup calamansi juice (or lime); 1/4 cup brown sugar; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 1/2 cup lemon-lime soda (Sprite); 4-6 chicken leg quarters or thighs; ; 1/2 cup annatto seeds or 1 tbsp annatto powder; 1/4 cup vegetable oil or chicken fat; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 1 bay leaf; 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional); ; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp calamansi juice; 1-2 pcs siling labuyo (chili), chopped; Optional: splash of vinegar

Description

This chicken mang inasal recipe replicates the exact flavor of Mang Inasal restaurant-style grilled chicken—complete with lemongrass marinade, annatto basting sauce, and soy-calamansi sawsawan.

Ingredients

Scale

2 stalks lemongrass, minced (white part only)

5 cloves garlic, crushed

1 thumb ginger, grated

1/2 cup cane vinegar (or coconut vinegar)

1/4 cup calamansi juice (or lime)

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 cup lemon-lime soda (Sprite)

4–6 chicken leg quarters or thighs

For Annatto Basting Sauce:

1/2 cup annatto seeds or 1 tbsp annatto powder

1/4 cup vegetable oil or chicken fat

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 bay leaf

1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional)

For Dipping Sauce:

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp calamansi juice

1–2 pcs siling labuyo (chili), chopped

Optional: splash of vinegar

Instructions

1. Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl.

2. Add chicken and marinate for 6–8 hours in the fridge.

3. To make basting oil, heat oil and add annatto seeds, garlic, and bay leaf. Steep, strain, and reserve.

4. Grill chicken over medium heat, basting every 5 minutes for 30–40 minutes.

5. Or roast in oven at 375°F for 30 minutes, then broil for 5–8 minutes until charred.

6. Check that internal temp reaches 165°F.

7. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving.

8. Mix sawsawan ingredients in a bowl.

9. Serve with garlic rice, annatto oil, and dipping sauce.

Notes

Do not marinate longer than 8 hours or chicken texture will suffer.

Use meat thermometer for perfect doneness (165°F).

For grill version, use indirect heat and baste often.

Annatto oil keeps in fridge for up to 1 week.

Great with atchara or banana leaf plating.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Grilled or Oven Roasted
Cuisine: Filipino

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 thigh
Calories: 450
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 554mg
Fat: 31g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 31g
Cholesterol: 122mg

Keywords: chicken mang inasal recipe, grilled Filipino chicken, mang inasal marinade