Description
Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs Filipino Style are juicy, tender, and packed with the sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that make Filipino barbecue so irresistible. Marinated in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, calamansi, garlic, and brown sugar, the chicken develops delicious caramelized edges on the grill, delivering an authentic taste of the Philippines.
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup banana ketchup
- 1/4 cup calamansi juice or lemon juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon-lime soda
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
For Grilling
- Extra banana ketchup, for brushing
- Green onions, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, banana ketchup, calamansi or lemon juice, brown sugar, lemon-lime soda, minced garlic, grated ginger, oyster sauce, black pepper, and vegetable oil. Mix well to blend all the flavors.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs into the marinade and toss until each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
- Preheat the Grill: When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess marinade drip off to prevent flare-ups. Place the chicken thighs on the grill and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes per side.
- Apply Additional Sauce: During the final few minutes of grilling, brush the chicken with extra banana ketchup to add a sticky, flavorful glaze.
- Check for Doneness: Continue grilling until the chicken is nicely caramelized, charred in spots, and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove from the grill and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot with steamed rice for a complete Filipino-style meal.
Notes
- Marinating overnight really enhances the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
- Reserve some marinade before adding raw chicken if you want to use it as a basting sauce later; do not reuse marinade that touched raw meat without boiling.
- Watch the chicken carefully during the last few minutes because the sugar content can cause it to caramelize and burn quickly.
- Calamansi juice offers the most authentic tangy Filipino flavor, but lemon juice is a great substitute if unavailable.
- For extra depth of flavor and crispiness, you can grill the chicken thighs with the skin on instead of skinless.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Filipino
