Pan-Grilled Chicken Inasal with Annatto Marinade
Juicy, smoky chicken thighs marinated in a bright annatto and citrus blend, grilled to perfection with a hint of lemongrass. This filipino-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, annatto oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp annatto oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 stalk lemongrass stalk, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup calamansi juice or lime juice
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp annatto oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 finely chopped lemongrass stalk, 1/4 cup calamansi juice, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Place 4 bone-in chicken thighs in a zip-top bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are well coated. Marinate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill for about 6-7 minutes per side, basting occasionally with remaining marinade, until the skin is charred slightly and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving with steamed rice and a side of pickled vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Grilled Chicken Inasal with Annatto Marinade take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Pan-Grilled Chicken Inasal with Annatto Marinade?
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 Pan-Grilled Chicken Inasal with Annatto Marinade?
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 Pan-Grilled Chicken Inasal with Annatto Marinade for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Pan-Grilled Chicken Inasal with Annatto Marinade?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The annatto gave the chicken such a beautiful color and flavor, my family loved it!
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Made for my husband and he said it was the best chicken inasal he's ever had.
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe overall, but the cooking time was longer than expected.
