Description
This Easy Filipino Chicken Barbecue is a classic Filipino street food favorite made with juicy chicken thighs marinated in a sweet, savory, and tangy blend of soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, brown sugar, and banana ketchup. Grilled until perfectly caramelized with delicious charred edges, these flavorful chicken skewers are perfect for family dinners, backyard cookouts, parties, or meal prep. Serve with steamed rice and your favorite dipping sauce for an authentic Filipino-inspired meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
For the Marinade
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup banana ketchup (or regular ketchup)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1/4 cup water
For Grilling
- 8–10 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, banana ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, onion, black pepper, salt, paprika, and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the chicken pieces and toss until fully coated in the marinade.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Thread the marinated chicken onto the soaked bamboo skewers, leaving a little space between pieces.
- Grill for 5–7 minutes per side, turning occasionally and basting with leftover marinade until the chicken is fully cooked and lightly charred.
- Remove from the grill and let rest for 3–5 minutes.
- Serve hot with steamed rice and a dipping sauce such as spiced vinegar or extra banana ketchup.
Notes
- Marinating overnight gives the chicken the best flavor and tenderness.
- Banana ketchup provides the authentic Filipino barbecue taste, but regular ketchup works well if needed.
- Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Chicken thighs stay juicier than chicken breasts during grilling.
- Discard any marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken unless boiled first.
- Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg