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Bistik Ayam: A Savory Indonesian Chicken Dish
Servings: 4-6 | Preparation Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:
- 1/2 chicken, cut into pieces
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 stalk green onion, chopped
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 7 cloves shallots
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 candlenuts
- 1/2 inch ginger
- 1 sachet chicken seasoning (Royco)
- 3 cloves
- 1 stick cinnamon
- A small piece of palm sugar
- Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), to taste
- Soy sauce (kecap asin), to taste
- Granulated sugar, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Oil, for sautéing
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken:
Start by washing the chicken pieces thoroughly. Once cleaned, set them aside. -
Prepare the Vegetables and Spices:
- Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks.
- Slice the onion and chop the green onion.
- Peel the shallots and garlic.
- Grind the shallots, garlic, ginger, and candlenuts into a fine paste using a mortar and pestle or a food processor.
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Cooking the Aromatics:
- Heat a generous amount of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add the ground spice paste and cook until the mixture is aromatic and the raw smell has disappeared.
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Cooking the Main Ingredients:
- Add the chicken pieces and potato chunks to the skillet.
- Stir to combine and let it cook for a few minutes.
- Pour in the soy sauce (kecap asin) and sweet soy sauce (kecap manis).
- Add the palm sugar, ground black pepper, cloves, cinnamon stick, chicken seasoning (Royco), and stir well to coat the chicken and potatoes evenly.
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Simmering:
- Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low.
- Add a small amount of water, just enough to help the chicken cook through and form a sauce.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and salt to taste.
- Let the mixture simmer gently until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, and the potatoes are soft. This should take about 30 minutes.
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Final Touches:
- Once the chicken and potatoes are cooked, adjust the seasoning to your preference.
- Add the chopped green onion and stir through to combine.
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Serve:
- Transfer the bistik ayam to a serving dish and serve hot with steamed rice or your choice of side dishes.
This flavorful bistik ayam brings together the rich tastes of Indonesian cuisine with tender chicken and savory spices. Enjoy this comforting dish with your loved ones and savor the delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors.