Crispy Ayam Geprek: Indonesian Spicy Crushed Chicken
Ayam Geprek: Indonesian Crispy Chicken with Spicy Sauce
Ingredients:
- 250 grams chicken breast (boneless)
- 200 grams chicken flour (Sajiku Golden Crispy recommended)
- 7 small red chilies (cabe rawit)
- 1/2 clove garlic
- Salt, to taste
- Lime juice (from 1 lime)
- Oil, for frying
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken: Begin by washing the chicken breast thoroughly. Cut it into pieces according to your preference, making small slashes in the meat to allow the seasoning to penetrate deeply. After cutting, squeeze lime juice over the chicken pieces and let them briefly simmer in boiling water to pre-cook. This helps in tenderizing the meat and removing any unwanted odors.
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Prepare the Flour Mixture: In a bowl, dissolve the chicken flour with cold water to create a batter. For the crispiest results, it’s best to use ice-cold water to mix the flour, but if you don’t have any, regular cold water will suffice. Dip the chicken pieces into the batter, ensuring they are well-coated. Let them rest for 30 minutes to allow the batter to adhere better. For extra crispiness, you can refrigerate the coated chicken during this time.
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Coat the Chicken: After resting, remove the chicken from the batter and dredge it in the remaining dry flour, pressing gently to ensure the flour sticks. Shake off any excess flour to prevent excess batter from burning in the oil.
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Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a frying pan over low heat to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly without burning. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the chicken pieces. Fry until they are golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally for even cooking. Remove the cooked chicken from the oil and drain on paper towels.
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Prepare the Spicy Sauce: While the chicken is frying, blend the red chilies and garlic together with a pinch of salt to create a spicy paste. If desired, you can also add a bit of shrimp paste (terasi) for additional flavor. Heat a small amount of oil in a pan and briefly fry the chili-garlic mixture until fragrant.
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Assemble and Serve: Once the chicken is crispy and drained, place the pieces on a plate over the spicy paste. Gently crush or “geprek” the chicken to mix it with the paste. Serve immediately for the best taste.
Note: Adjust the amount of flour, garlic, and chilies according to your taste preferences. Feel free to add shrimp paste to the spicy mixture if desired for extra depth of flavor. Enjoy this flavorful and crispy Indonesian delight!
