Crispy Ayam Penyet with Spicy Garlic Sambal

Ayam Goreng Penyet (Crispy Fried Chicken with Spicy Garlic Sambal)

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 2 chicken thighs
• 2 chicken drumsticks

For the Marinade:

• 1 piece ginger (about 2 inches)
• 1 piece turmeric (about 2 inches)
• 1 stalk lemongrass
• 1 piece galangal (about 2 inches)
• 5 shallots
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 candlenut
• Coriander to taste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 kaffir lime leaf
• Salt to taste

For the Sambal Bawang (Garlic Chili Sauce):

• 2 cloves garlic
• 10 green and red chili peppers (adjust to taste)
• Salt to taste
• Sugar to taste
• Cooking oil

For Garnish:

• 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Thoroughly clean the chicken pieces.
   • Using a mortar and pestle or a food processor, finely grind the garlic, shallots, candlenut, coriander, turmeric, and ginger. Lightly crush the lemongrass and galangal.
   • In a pot, combine the ground spices with a little water to make a paste. Add the chicken pieces, bay leaf, kaffir lime leaf, and salt. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the marinade.
   • Cover the pot and cook over medium heat until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Once cooked, remove the chicken and drain excess liquid.

2. Fry the Chicken:

   • Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan over medium heat. Ensure there is enough oil to fully submerge the chicken pieces.
   • Carefully place the chicken in the hot oil. Fry until the chicken is golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. Once done, remove the chicken from the oil and let it drain on paper towels.

3. Prepare the Sambal Bawang:

   • Wash all the sambal ingredients thoroughly.
   • Coarsely pound the garlic and chili peppers together with salt and sugar.
   • Heat oil in a pan and pour it over the pounded garlic and chili mixture to temper. Stir well to combine and infuse the flavors.

4. Assemble the Dish:

   • Place the fried chicken pieces on a serving plate.
   • Spoon the sambal bawang generously over the chicken.
   • Garnish with sliced cucumber on the side.

Note: For the best results, ensure there is enough oil when frying the chicken to keep it submerged. This will help achieve an even and crispy texture without the need for frequent turning.

Enjoy this delightful Indonesian classic with its spicy, savory flavors and crispy chicken!