Chicken Inasal Marinated and Grilled with Annatto Oil

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken marinated in a mixture of vinegar, garlic, and annatto oil grilled to smoky perfection, a popular dish from the Visayas region. This filipino-inspired chicken ready in about 31 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, white vinegar, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 16 min Serves 6 Filipino cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: To prepare annatto oil, heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp annatto seeds and cook for 3 minutes until oil turns bright orange. Strain out seeds and set oil aside to cool.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 6 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 cup water, and the cooled annatto oil. Add 2 bruised lemongrass stalks.
  3. Step 3: Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs to the marinade, turning to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
  4. Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill for about 6-8 minutes per side until skin is charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped spring onions if desired and serve with garlic rice or pickled vegetables.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Chicken Inasal Marinated and Grilled with Annatto Oil take to make?

Total time is about 31 minutes (15 min prep + 16 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chicken Inasal Marinated and Grilled with Annatto Oil?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chicken Inasal Marinated and Grilled with Annatto Oil?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chicken Inasal Marinated and Grilled with Annatto Oil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chicken Inasal Marinated and Grilled with Annatto Oil?

Filipino chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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