Butter-Sweet Soy Chicken Stir-Fry

Ayam Kecap Mentega: Savory Chicken in Sweet Soy Sauce and Butter

Ingredients:

• 6 pieces of chicken
• 2 cloves garlic
• 5 shallots
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
• 3 red chilies (either curly or bird’s eye)
• Salt, to taste
• White pepper, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• Oyster sauce
• Tomato sauce
• Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   Start by thoroughly washing the chicken pieces. Grate or finely chop 1 clove of garlic and the ginger, and mix them with the cleaned chicken. Season with a pinch of salt, white pepper, and a splash of sweet soy sauce. Allow this to marinate for about 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.

2. Prepare the Aromatics:
   While the chicken is marinating, slice the remaining garlic cloves, shallots, and red chilies. Set them aside; these will be used to create a fragrant base for the sauce.

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3. Coat and Fry the Chicken:
   After marinating, sprinkle the cornstarch over the chicken and toss until well-coated. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the chicken pieces until they are half-cooked and have changed color. Remove them from the pan and let them drain on paper towels.

4. Cook the Aromatics:
   In a clean pan, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic, shallots, and chilies, and sauté until they become fragrant and slightly golden.

5. Make the Sauce:
   Add 2 tablespoons of sweet soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, tomato sauce, and a bit of chili sauce (optional for extra heat) to the pan with the aromatics. Stir in 2 tablespoons of butter and mix well to combine all the ingredients.

6. Combine Chicken and Sauce:
   Return the partially fried chicken to the pan with the sauce. Toss everything together to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce. Season with black pepper and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for a few minutes, letting the flavors meld together and the sauce slightly thicken.

7. Final Touches:
   Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. The dish is ready to be served after a final 3-minute simmer to ensure all flavors are well incorporated.

8. Serve and Enjoy:
   Serve your Ayam Kecap Mentega hot, ideally with steamed rice or noodles. Enjoy this rich and flavorful dish that combines the sweetness of soy sauce with the richness of butter.

Note: No additional flavor enhancers or sugar are needed as the butter provides ample flavor. Cook with care and enjoy the delightful taste of homemade Ayam Kecap Mentega. Happy cooking!