Balinese Spiced Shredded Chicken (Ayam Suwir Bumbu Bali)

Ayam Suwir Bumbu Bali: A Savory Balinese Shredded Chicken Dish

Ingredients:

• 250 grams chicken breast (dada ayam)
• 3 bay leaves (daun salam)
• 2 stalks lemongrass (sereh)
• 2 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk)
• 2 cm galangal (lengkuas)

For the Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus):

• 5 shallots (bawang merah)

• 3 cloves garlic (bawang putih)

• 1 piece tamarind (asam jawa), about 1 inch

• 1 piece turmeric (kunyit), about 1 inch

• 1 piece kencur, about 1 inch

• 1 teaspoon black pepper (merica)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (gula merah)

• 10 bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit)

• 5 red chilies (cabe merah keriting), optional

• 1 teaspoon shrimp paste (terasi matang)

• 3 tablespoons coconut cream (santan kani)

• Water, as needed

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Boil the chicken breast until fully cooked. Once cooked, shred the chicken into fine pieces.

2. Make the Spice Paste:

   • Blend the shallots, garlic, tamarind, turmeric, kencur, black pepper, and bird’s eye chilies into a smooth paste. If using, add the red chilies for extra heat.

3. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • Heat a bit of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until fragrant.

4. Add Aromatics:

   • Incorporate the tamarind, brown sugar, bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and galangal into the pan. Stir well.

5. Combine Chicken and Sauce:

   • Add the shredded chicken to the pan, followed by the coconut cream and enough water to create a saucy consistency. Stir to combine.

6. Simmer and Adjust Seasoning:

   • Cook the mixture until the liquid reduces and thickens, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

7. Serve:

   • Serve the Ayam Suwir Bumbu Bali hot, as a flavorful main dish. Enjoy the rich, aromatic flavors of Bali with every bite.

Happy Cooking! 👩‍🍳