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Chicken Inasal
Ingredients
- 2 lemongrass stalks, trimmed, tough outer layers removed, thinly sliced
- 6 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 2" piece ginger, peeled, thinly sliced
- 1¼ cups vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup achiote (annatto) seeds
- 3 lemongrass stalks, tough outer layers removed, thinly sliced
- 1 head of garlic, cloves separated, chopped
- 1 small shallot, chopped
- 1 2" piece ginger, peeled, chopped
- ¾ cup seasoned rice vinegar
- ½ cup Sprite or 7UP
- 1 Tbsp. kosher salt, plus more
- 4 chicken legs (thigh and drumstick)
- Eight 8" metal skewers or soaked wooden chopsticks or bamboo skewers (optional)
Steps
- Bring lemongrass, garlic, ginger, oil, and achiote seeds to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer gently, stirring very occasionally, until oil is brick-red and fragrant, 30–45 minutes.
- Do Ahead: Achiote oil can be made 1 week ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.
- Combine lemongrass, garlic, shallot, ginger, vinegar, Sprite, and 1 Tbsp. salt in a large resealable plastic bag. Whisk to dissolve salt. Set chicken legs, skin side down, on a cutting board. Working one at a time, cut a ½"-deep slash along both sides of thigh bone with a paring knife (this lets the marinade penetrate and helps the meat cook more quickly). Add chicken to bag and close, pressing out as much air as possible; turn to coat. Marinate at least 6 hours and up to 12 hours.
- Prepare a grill for medium-high indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off). Remove chicken from marinade and secure each piece with 2 skewers if desired (the skewers will help you maneuver chicken on the grill without tearing the skin). Season lightly with salt. Discard marinade.
- Grill chicken over hottest side of grill, turning occasionally, until deeply browned and charred in spots, about 5 minutes. Move to cooler side of grill and cover. Continue grilling (covered), basting with achiote oil and turning every 5 minutes or so, until skin is burnished and meat is cooked through, 30–40 minutes longer.