Sweet Soy Grilled Chicken with Coconut Infusion

Grilled Chicken in Sweet Soy Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken, cleaned (preferably cut into pieces similar to those used for grilled chicken)
• 10 shallots
• 5 garlic cloves
• 10 candlenuts
• 1 packet of ground black pepper (I use Ladaku brand)
• Sweet soy sauce (to taste)
• 250 ml coconut water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 stalk lemongrass, smashed

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Rinse the chicken thoroughly under running water. If possible, use chicken pieces cut similarly to those used for traditional grilled chicken.

2. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • In a blender or mortar and pestle, blend or grind the shallots, garlic cloves, and candlenuts until you obtain a smooth paste.

3. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • Heat a bit of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the ground spice paste along with the bay leaf and smashed lemongrass. Sauté until fragrant.

4. Add the Chicken:

   • Add the cleaned chicken pieces to the pan. Stir to coat the chicken evenly with the spice paste.

5. Simmer:

   • Pour in the coconut water and additional water as needed. Add sweet soy sauce and ground black pepper to taste. Stir well.

6. Cook Until the Liquid Reduces:

   • Allow the mixture to simmer until the liquid has reduced. Be cautious not to add salt at this stage, as the sweet soy sauce may already add sufficient saltiness. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

7. Grill the Chicken:

   • Once the liquid has reduced and the chicken is cooked through, turn off the heat. The chicken can now be grilled. If you prefer, you can refrigerate the chicken and grill it later.

8. Serve:

   • Grill or bake the chicken while occasionally basting with additional sweet soy sauce. Serve hot with steamed white rice, sambal (chili sauce), and fresh vegetables for a delicious meal.

Enjoy your delectable grilled chicken, perfectly complemented by the rich flavors of sweet soy sauce and aromatic spices!