Indonesian Pop Chicken with Zesty Chili Sauce

Indonesian Delight: Ayam Pop & Sambalnya (Pop Chicken with Chili Sauce)

Ingredients:

• 3 small chickens, quartered
• Spice Paste:
  • 7 shallots
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 5 candlenuts, toasted
  • 1/2 cm ginger
  • 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
  • 1 tbsp ground galangal
  • 3 kaffir lime leaves
  • 3 bay leaves
  • Salt and sugar to taste
  • Coconut water as needed
• For the Chili Sauce:
  • 10 curly red chilies
  • 5 shallots
  • 2 tomatoes
  • Salt and sugar to taste
  • Optional: stinky beans (pete), if desired
  • Vegetable oil for sautéing

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • Grind shallots, garlic, candlenuts, and ginger into a smooth paste.
   • Heat some oil in a pan, sauté the spice paste until fragrant. Add galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and bay leaves. Stir well.

2. Cook the Chicken:

   • Add coconut water to the spice mixture. Stir to combine.
   • Add chicken pieces, season with salt and sugar. Cook until the liquid reduces and the chicken is cooked through, flipping occasionally.

3. Make the Chili Sauce:

   • Blend curly red chilies, shallots, and tomatoes into a paste.
   • Heat oil in a pan, sauté the chili paste until cooked. Add stinky beans (pete) if using. Season with salt and sugar. Adjust seasoning to taste.

4. Serve:

   • Serve the Ayam Pop (Pop Chicken) hot with the prepared chili sauce on the side. Enjoy this flavorful Indonesian dish!

This recipe for Ayam Pop & Sambalnya combines tender chicken cooked in aromatic spices with a zesty chili sauce, creating a delightful meal that’s perfect for any occasion.