Savory Indonesian Sweet Soy Chicken (Semur Ayam Kecap)

Semur Ayam Kecap Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
• 3 black peppercorns
• 2 red chilies
• 2 candlenuts
• 1-inch piece of turmeric (or 1 teaspoon turmeric powder)
• 2 pieces of galangal (smashed)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 stalk lemongrass (smashed)
• Salt to taste
• 4 shallots, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic
• Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) to taste

Instructions:

1. Pre-cook the Chicken: Begin by boiling the chicken pieces in a pot of water for about 20 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to drain.

2. Prepare the Spice Paste: While the chicken is boiling, prepare the spice paste. Blend the garlic, black peppercorns, red chilies, candlenuts, salt, and turmeric together until smooth. The galangal and lemongrass should be lightly smashed to release their flavors, rather than blended.

3. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet or saucepan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the sliced shallots and sauté until they become fragrant and translucent. Then, add the prepared spice paste and the bay leaves. Continue to sauté the mixture until it becomes aromatic and the oil starts to separate from the paste.

4. Cook the Chicken: Add water to the pan with the spice mixture and stir to combine. Introduce the pre-cooked chicken pieces into the pan. Stir to ensure the chicken is well-coated with the spice paste.

5. Add Sweet Soy Sauce: Pour in the sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) to taste. This will give the dish its characteristic sweetness and color. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is coated with a rich, brown sauce and the liquid has reduced slightly.

6. Final Touches: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Once the chicken is well-coated and the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove from heat.

Serve your Semur Ayam Kecap hot with steamed rice for a comforting meal. Enjoy the savory and slightly sweet flavors of this classic Indonesian dish!