Filipino Chicken BBQ

These party-pleasing chicken skewers are always a hit.

Filipino BBQ chicken is marinated in the sweet and savory combination of banana ketchup and Sprite. Banana ketchup is a Filipino condiment that is sweet, tangy and it doesn’t even have any tomatoes in it. Banana ketchup elevates the marinade and balances the salt and vinegar that flavors the chicken and the basting sauce. A staple at any Filipino gathering, it’s celebration ready and easily portable.

Ingredients
3 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 cup banana ketchup or sub with regular ketchup and add a little more sugar
1 cup sprite or 7-Up
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white vinegar
10-12 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup calamansi/lime/or lemon juice
1/4 cup oyster sauce
2 tsp ground black pepper

Basting sauce
1/2 cup banana ketchup
1/8 cup oyster sauce
1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil

1. Mix marinade ingredients together well until sugar dissolves. Add chicken and let marinate for at least one hour or overnight, preferably.
2. Soak skewers for an hour beforehand(to prevent burning on the grill) and thread marinated chicken through. Helps to keep the pieces flat on top of each other.
3. Over medium heat place on edge of grill and rotate about 4 times or more every 4 minutes. Baste each side (I imagine there are four sides). Monitor for flares up and cook about 16-20 minutes or until internal temp is at 165°.

One of my first viral recipes