Filipino-Style Lechon Manok (Oven-Roasted Chicken)

Lechon Manok Recipe

This Filipino-style roasted chicken captures the classic flavors of street-style lechon manok using simple pantry ingredients and a straightforward method. The marinade blends citrus, aromatics, and sweet notes from soda to create a beautifully seasoned, tender chicken with a golden, buttery finish. Allowing ample marinating time and careful roasting helps mimic the depth of flavor usually achieved in traditional rotisserie cooking.

Ingredients

• 1 kilo dressed whole chicken
• 1 (8 oz) Sprite or 7up
• 3 tbsp white or brown sugar
• 3–5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium-sized onion, sliced
• 3 tbsp lemon or Calamansi juice
• 1 thumb-size ginger, sliced
• 1 or 2 stalks lemon grass (Tanglad)
• Ground black pepper
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 stick butter
• Salt
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
  

  Instructions