Step 1

Mix all the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Take the chicken pieces and pierce a few times on the meaty side. This will allow the chicken to absorb more flavor from the marinade. Place the chicken meat side down in a non-reactive baking dish (like a 9x13 pyrex). Pour in the marinade all over the chicken. Marinate for 3-4 hours.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Make the basting sauce or ready it while the chicken is roasting. Remove the meat from the marinade and place in a roasting tin. Roast the chicken for 45 minutes, basting it every 5 minutes for the last 10-15 minutes or so. Chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the chicken registers 165F. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes.

Step 3

Alternatively, you can also grill the chicken, threading each piece in a wooden skewer, and use the sauce to baste. If grilling the chicken, make about two to three 1-inch slashes on the chicken legs just before grilling so the chicken cooks faster and more evenly. If using a gas grill, preheat the grill then place all the chicken legs in the middle of the grill. Use only the burners on either side of the grill adjusted to between 350-375 F temperature (don't go higher than 400 F). The gas burner(s) in the middle should be completely turned-off. Grill the chicken low and slow for about 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches about 165 F. Grilling this way would ensure the chicken to cook properly without burning the outer skin and undercooking the inside.

Step 4

Traditionally, this chicken is eaten with a dipping or drizzling sauce on the side. Simply combine equal amounts of spiced vinegar (available at Asian stores - get Filipino brand, if possible or simply add 1-2 sliced Thai red chilies) and soy sauce in a small bowl. Drizzle a little of the sauce as you eat the chicken. Enjoy with rice.