Back in 2024, I started teaching myself how to cook Filipino dishes. My fiancé is Filipino-American, and one recipe I knew I had to learn early on was Chicken Inasal, the Filipino version of BBQ chicken. Since then, I’ve made over 22 Filipino recipes, and this one remains a favorite in our house.
The first time I made Chicken Inasal, it was way too cold outside to grill, so I turned to America’s favorite kitchen appliance: the air fryer. The chicken came out juicy, flavorful, and beautifully caramelized, with all the signature flavors you’d expect from traditional Chicken Inasal.
What is Chicken Inasal?
Chicken Inasal is a popular Filipino grilled chicken dish originating from Bacolod City in the Western Visayas region. It’s known for its bold, tangy, and slightly sweet marinade made with vinegar, citrus, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and annatto oil, which gives the chicken its iconic orange-red color.
Traditionally, Chicken Inasal is grilled over charcoal and basted continuously with annatto oil, creating crispy skin and deep flavor. This air-fryer version keeps all the authentic flavors while making it more accessible for home cooks like me and you.
Ingredients for Air-fryer Chicken Inasal
- Chicken Leg Quarters: The star of the show!
- Lemongrass: Adds a bright, citrusy aroma
- Ground Ginger: Warm and slightly spicy
- Garlic: Builds bold flavor
- Brown Sugar: Balances the acidity
- Cane Vinegar: Traditional and tangy
- Calamansi Juice: Classic citrus flavor
- Sprite: Trust me on this! It tenderizes the chicken and balances the marinade.
- Annatto Seeds: For the classic Chicken Inasal color
- Salt and Black Pepper: To season
- Other Necessities: Air fryer and a basting brush
Note: Calamansi can be hard to find depending on where you live. Lemon or lime works perfectly as a substitute.
How to Make Air-fryer Chicken Inasal
Start by cutting off a few small pieces of chicken skin and setting them aside. These will be used later to make the annatto oil that gives Chicken Inasal its signature color.
In a large bowl, combine ground ginger, garlic, lemongrass, brown sugar, cane vinegar, calamansi juice, Sprite, salt, black pepper, and a splash of soy sauce. The soy sauce not only adds seasoning but also helps with the color of the chicken. Add the chicken leg quarters and toss until fully coated.
Before marinating, make 2-3 shallow diagonal slits in each chicken leg quarter. This step helps the marinade soak deeper into the meat, ensures even cooking, and gives the chicken its classic Inasal appearance. Cover and let the chicken marinate for at least four hours, or overnight for deeper flavor. After marinating, remove a small amount of the marinade and set it aside for basting during cooking.
When ready to cook, preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
To make the annatto oil, place the reserved chicken skin in a pan over medium heat and allow the fat to slowly render. If the skin doesn’t render enough fat on its own, add a little olive oil to help. Once enough fat has released, remove the skin and add the annatto seeds. Let them infuse until the oil turns a deep red-orange color, then strain out the seeds and set the oil aside.
Arrange the marinated chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for about ten minutes, then baste the chicken with the reserved marinade. Continue cooking for another ten minutes.
After about twenty minutes, brush the chicken generously with the annatto oil and return it to the air fryer. Let it cook for another ten minutes to build color and flavor. Flip the chicken over, baste again with annatto oil, and cook for a final ten minutes until the chicken is fully cooked, juicy, and lightly charred around the edges.
What to Serve With Chicken Inasal
Just like many other Filipino dishes, the best side dish for Chicken Inasal is sinangag (garlic fried rice). You can also pair it with pickled papaya and a spicy vinegar dipping sauce. My fiancé and I jokingly call it “crack sauce” because it’s that addictive. Another great side is a tangy red cabbage salad, which adds freshness and crunch to the meal.
Why I Love This Chicken Inasal
- It’s packed with bold, authentic Filipino flavors that are both tangy and slightly sweet.
- The air fryer makes it surprisingly easy to cook, even when it’s too cold to grill.
- The annatto oil gives the chicken a gorgeous, vibrant color that’s classic to the dish.
- It’s a comforting, home-cooked meal that reminds me of Filipino cuisine and the flavors I fell in love with while learning over 22 traditional recipes.
Air-fryer Chicken Inasal
Description
Juicy air fryer chicken marinated in vinegar, citrus, garlic, and lemongrass, then basted with annatto oil for a crispy, golden finish. Easy, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Cut off a few pieces of chicken skin to use for the annatto oil.
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In a bowl, mix the ground ginger, garlic, lemongrass, brown sugar, vinegar, calamansi juice, Sprite, salt, and black pepper to make the marinade. Add the chicken and marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Save a small amount of the marinade in a separate container for basting. (Optional: add a splash of soy sauce to the basting marinade.)
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Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
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Render the fat from the chicken skin. If the skin doesn’t render enough fat on its own, add a little olive oil to help.
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Once the fat has released, remove the skin and add the annatto seeds to the pan.
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Cook until the oil turns a deep red color, then strain out the seeds and set the oil aside.
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Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes.
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After 10 minutes, baste the chicken with the reserved marinade. Cook for another 10 minutes.
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After 20 minutes of cooking, baste the chicken with the annatto oil. Cook for another 10 minutes.
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After 30 minutes, flip the chicken over and baste with annatto oil again. Cook for a final 10 minutes.
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Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 540kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 34g53%
- Saturated Fat 9g45%
- Cholesterol 165mg56%
- Sodium 820mg35%
- Total Carbohydrate 18g6%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 13g
- Protein 38g76%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
