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Pinaupong Manok
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How to Cook Pinaupong Manok sa Asin (Chicken Roasted on Rock Salt)

Pinaupong Manok is a traditional Filipino dish where a whole chicken is roasted sitting upright over a bed of salt, resulting in tender, juicy meat infused with aromatic flavors.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes
Course: Chicken Recipe
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: chicken pastil panlasang pinoy, chicken recipe, Filipino recipe, pinaupong manok, roasted chicken in salt, sitting chicken
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 351kcal
Author: Manny

Ingredients

  • 1 whole dressed chicken about 1 kilo
  • 1 kilo rock salt
  • 1 Teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 bundle tanglad leaves
  • 1 bulb red onion
  • 4 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 Tablespoon patis or fish sauce
  • 1 piece banana leaf for lining the rock salt bed

Instructions

How to Cook Pinaupong Manok:

  • In a large clay pot, pour the rock salt in the bottom and line with banana leaf. Set aside.
  • Clean the chicken thoroughly inside and out. Drain afterwards for a few minutes.
  • Then rub with a patis and pepper inside and out thoroughly.
  • Peel the onion and slice into quarters. Wash the lemon grass and cut the root and weed out the dried leaves.
  • Pound it using the blunt edge of the knife and tie the whole bunch into a knot so the leaves won't scatter.
  • Stuff the chicken cavity with crushed garlic, sliced onion and lemon grass.
  • Arrange the chicken into the claypot in a sitting position with the opening of the cavity facing down so that the heat will penetrate inside the chicken cavity.
  • Cover tightly as much as possible and cook over a slow fire for about 2 hours until the chicken is cooked and tender.
  • You can also use stainless steel pot or a pressure cooker.
  • The cooking time using a stainless steel pot is 1 hour while pressure cooker is only 30 minutes.
  • Please take care not to let the chicken touch the sides of the metal pot.

Notes

Cooking Tips:

Use a Clay Pot for Authentic Flavor

If you have access to a clay pot, use it to achieve the earthy and rich flavor that gives this roasted chicken its authentic taste. Clay pots distribute heat more evenly and retain moisture, keeping the chicken tender and juicy. The subtle aroma from the clay enhances the dish, making it taste as if it were cooked in a traditional outdoor setting.

Line with Banana Leaves for Extra Aroma

Lining the pot with banana leaves not only prevents the chicken from sticking to the bottom but also adds a unique, aromatic layer of flavor. As the leaves heat up, they release a subtle, grassy scent that infuses the chicken. This step may seem simple, but it adds depth to the overall taste, creating a more complex and fragrant dish.

Slow Cook for Ultimate Tenderness

Take your time and cook the chicken over low heat to ensure it becomes perfectly tender and flavorful. Slow cooking allows the heat to penetrate the chicken evenly, breaking down the meat fibers and locking in the moisture. Avoid rushing the process; patience is key to achieving fall-off-the-bone goodness that makes pinaupong manok unforgettable.