Filipino-Style Barbecue Chicken

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

Chef John's Filipino-style skewered barbecue chicken thighs recipe includes a homemade banana ketchup that takes this summer-ready dish over the top.

Ingredients

1 medium very ripe banana, mashed
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 cup water
½ cup prepared banana ketchup
3/4 cup lemon-lime soda (such as 7-Up®)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 medium lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 cloves crushed garlic
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut in half
3 tablespoons reserved banana ketchup
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon fish sauce

Directions

1 Mash banana, tomato paste, vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons oil, ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, allspice, and turmeric together in a medium saucepan; stir in water to combine.
2 Place over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until reduced and thickened, 7 to 10 minutes. Reserve 3 tablespoons ketchup for basting sauce, leaving about ½ cup for marinade.
3 Whisk ½ cup reserved banana ketchup, lemon-lime soda, ½ cup soy sauce, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, garlic, and black pepper in a large bowl until marinade is combined.
4 Add halved chicken thighs to marinade; toss to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap; marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 18 hours.
5 Whisk reserved 3 tablespoons banana ketchup, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon oil, and fish sauce together in a small bowl until basting sauce smooth.
6 Preheat an outdoor grill with a pile of charcoal until the coals are very hot. Thread chicken halves onto metal skewers, folding each in half with smooth sides facing outward and rougher sides folded inward.
7 Grill chicken, in batches, over hot coals until no longer pink in centers, 15 to 20 minutes, turning and basting every 2 to 3 minutes.
8 Serve with accumulated juices or extra basting sauce.