Crispy Sweet and Sour Chicken with Tangy Vegetable Sauce

Sweet and Sour Chicken (Ayam Asam Manis)

This delightful Sweet and Sour Chicken, or Ayam Asam Manis, is a popular Indonesian dish that combines crispy chicken with a tangy and flavorful sauce. Perfect for a family meal or a special dinner, this recipe will guide you through making this dish with vibrant vegetables and a balanced sweet and sour flavor.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 kg chicken breast fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Juice of 1 lime
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

For the Sauce:

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 carrot, cut into julienne strips
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 small red chilies (optional), sliced
• 4 tablespoons tomato ketchup
• 1 tablespoon chili sauce
• Sugar, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in a little water

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Wash the chicken pieces thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels.
   • Squeeze the lime juice over the chicken, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse again and pat dry.
   • Season the chicken with minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Allow it to marinate for about 1 hour.

2. Coat and Fry the Chicken:

   • Mix the all-purpose flour and cornstarch in a bowl.
   • Dredge the marinated chicken pieces in the flour mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.
   • Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and crispy, then drain on paper towels.

3. Prepare the Sauce:

   • In a separate pan, heat a little oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped garlic and sliced onion until fragrant and translucent.
   • Add the julienned carrots, diced red bell pepper, and sliced chilies (if using). Cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
   • Pour in enough water to cover the vegetables (approximately 200ml). Stir in the tomato ketchup and chili sauce.
   • Season with sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

4. Finish the Sauce:

   • Once the sauce is well-mixed and has a good balance of flavors, add the cornstarch mixture to thicken it. Stir continuously until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.

5. Combine and Serve:

   • Gently toss the fried chicken pieces into the sauce, ensuring they are well coated.
   • Serve the Sweet and Sour Chicken hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Enjoy this Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe that brings together the perfect blend of crispy chicken and a tangy, flavorful sauce. Ideal for any occasion, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends!