Hands down one of the greatest chicken dishes ever! With its distinct flavor and unmistakable aroma, Chicken Inasal is one of the most popular and beloved Filipino dishes. The dish features marinated chicken grilled over charcoal, basted until cooked, and served with various dipping sauces. I used my air fryer for this recipe, which turned out perfect. What makes this dish a fantastic air fryer whole chicken recipe, is how easy it is. Start with the chicken inasal marinade, marinate then air fry!
History of Chicken Inasal - a classic Filipino dish
It originated in Bacolod City in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, where an entire street market is dedicated to the dish. There is even a sign in the market that says, “Manokan Country" or "Chicken Country."
The name “inasal” is a local word that means “roasted or grilled.” This method of cooking gives the chicken a unique smoky flavor and aroma. The marinade is usually made with local spices such as garlic, lemongrass, calamansi (Philippine lime), and coconut vinegar. These ingredients give it its signature flavor and make it distinct from other grilled chickens found around the world.
This air fryer whole chicken recipe is not grilled. However, the flavor is still spot on. Great for the wintertime when you cannot go outside to barbeque.
Can you use other chicken cuts?
You can use any chicken cut like chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken legs, and even chicken wings.
If using chicken breasts, I would highly recommend using bone-in. It would keep it moist and juicy.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS CHICKEN INASAL RECIPE
- The unique flavors of chicken inasal are unlike any other chicken recipe. Great for spicing up your ordinary chicken dishes!
- Filipino chicken inasal is among the best chicken dishes in the world. You can never go wrong with this classic.
- This a great dish to introduce your family and friends to Filipino cuisine!
- Forget about the mess that comes with grilling - you can AIR FRY it, and it tastes amazing!
What you need to make Chicken Inasal
Chicken: I'm using a whole chicken for this recipe. You can use different cuts of chicken like chicken quarters, thighs, drumsticks, breasts, wings, etc.
Chicken Inasal Marinade:
Lemongrass: Lemongrass adds a unique flavor to the dish and can be found in most Asian grocery stores. If you don't have lemongrass, you can use lemon zest instead.
Garlic and ginger: Common spices in Asian cuisine. Always use fresh for the best flavor.
Limes: Traditionally, calamansi or Philippine lime gives the marinade a nice acidic flavor and balances out the other flavors. You can substitute it with regular lime juice as I did in this recipe.
Fish sauce: Staple ingredient in Filipino cooking! It adds a lot of umami flavor.
Soy sauce: Helps make the chicken more savory and gives it a nice color. I use low-sodium soy sauce to cut down on the saltiness.
Sugar: Balances out the saltiness from the sauces.
Annatto powder: Gives the chicken a nice yellow-orange hue and adds a nice peppery flavor. Annatto is what gives this dish a distinct red-orange color and flavor.
Thai chilis (optional): What's a dish without a little heat? If you don't have Thai chilis, you can use other chili peppers or skip them altogether.
Salt and pepper: Never forget the basics! Season to taste.
Baste Ingredients:
Butter: The base of the basting sauce provides flavor and helps keep the chicken moist while it grills or air fries.
Annatto seeds: Annatto is a common ingredient in Filipino cuisine and gives the dish its characteristic yellow-orange color. You can buy seeds and powder in most Asian grocery stores.
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Grater
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Container with lid
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or foil
- Small pot
How to make Air Fryer Chicken Inasal
- Start with your chicken inasal marinade.
- In a large bowl with a lid, prep your marinade ingredients.
- Smash the end part of the lemongrass and slice thinly. Add to the bowl.
- Smash your garlic, julienne your ginger, and add to the bowl.
- Zest and juice 2 limes. Add in the rest of the chicken inasal marinade ingredients. Mix well and set aside.
- Spatchcock your chicken. This will ensure faster and more even cooking.
- Place your chicken in your marinade and cover it with a lid. Marinade for at least 1 hour to 8 hours. For best results, marinate overnight.
- Preheat your AIR FRYER to 350 degrees.
- Place your chicken on the tray with parchment paper or foil.
- Air fry at 350 degrees and set the timer for 25 minutes.
- While the chicken is air frying, make your baste.
- In a small pot, melt the butter with the annatto seeds for 2-5 minutes until the butter turns red.
- Using a brush, baste the chicken every 10 minutes.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should be 165 degrees), let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST air fryer whole chicken
- Marinate the chicken for 8 hours or at least an hour to get the fullest flavor. For best results, marinate overnight.
- Baste with browned butter and annatto seeds to keep the chicken moist and flavorful. Do not skip this step. This adds a ton of flavor.
- If using a whole chicken, spatchcock it. Faster cooking time and the marinade can really get into the meat.
- Use chicken quarters if you don't want to use a whole chicken.
How to store and reheat
STORE – store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
REHEAT – reheat in a microwave, air fryer, or oven until heated through.
What to serve with chicken inasal
- Steamed white rice or fried garlic rice
- Steamed vegetables like broccoli
- Dipping sauces like soy sauce with calamansi, garlic-vinegar sauce, and spiced vinegar
- Sliced tomatoes and cucumber
- Atchara (Filipino pickles)
More Filipino recipes you will love
Chicken Inasal Air Fryer - FAQS
The taste of chicken inasal is complex and savory. The smoky aroma from the charcoal combined with the salty, sour, and peppery marinade makes it truly one of a kind. The marinade is also responsible for the distinctive yellow-orange color that the chicken takes on when cooked. Traditionally, this dish is grilled; however, this is cooked in an air fryer.
Chicken inasal is from the Philippines, specifically Bacolod City in the Western Visayas region. The dish has since gained popularity throughout the country and is now a beloved staple in Filipino cuisine.
Air frying chicken inasal is easy. It should take 25-30 minutes. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees or more. To get crisper skin, broil for 2 minutes.
If you are spatchcocking your whole chicken, which means removing the back of the chicken, it should only take 25 minutes to cook at 350 degrees. However, if keeping the chicken whole, it will take 45 minutes at 350 degrees. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees or higher. Use an instant-read thermometer.
Chicken Inasal Air Fryer
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl with a lid, prep your marinade ingredients.
- Smash the end part of the lemongrass and slice thinly. Add to the bowl.
- Smash your garlic, julienne your ginger and add to the bowl.
- Zest and juice 2 limes. Add in the rest of the marinade ingredients. Mix well and set aside.
- Spatchcock your chicken. This will ensure faster and more even cooking.
- Place your chicken in your marinade and cover it with a lid. Marinade for at least 1 hour to 8 hours. For best results, marinate overnight.
- Preheat your AIR FRYER to 350 degrees.
- Place your chicken on the tray with parchment paper or foil.
- Air fry at 350 degrees and set the timer for 25 minutes.
- While the chicken is air frying, make your baste.
- In a small pot, melt the butter with the annatto seeds for 2-5 minutes until the butter turns red.
- Using a brush, baste the chicken every 10 minutes.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should be 165 degrees), let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Davis says
Looks like a Polo Asado Chicken but filipino style.
Florence says
The dipping sauce makes it much better, Dish is cheap but worthy
Micheal says
The use of an air fryer for Chicken Inasal is a convenient twist, especially for indoor cooking during colder months. While the flavor may differ slightly from traditional grilled Chicken Inasal, the recipe still captures the essence of this beloved Filipino dish.
as i read from
https://inasaldiningprices.com/mang-inasal-chicken/
Carmen Spillette says
Thank you so much.
Grace says
Asal is an Ilonggo word for “Skewer”. Where is the “asal” part?
Cathy Chew says
This recepie was so easy and absolutely delicious!! I made 4 chickens for a family get together and everyone loved it!