Grilled Chicken with Sweet Soy Glaze (Teflon Method)

Ingredients:

• 10 small pieces of chicken (1/2 a whole chicken)
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/2 to 1 tablespoon palm sugar
• 1/3 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 stalk lemongrass (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 kaffir lime leaves (optional)

For the Spice Paste:

• 5 shallots
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 roasted candlenuts
• 2 large red chilies (adjust to taste)
• 2 cm ginger
• 3 cm galangal
• 1 cm turmeric (optional)
• 2 tamarind slices (replaced with lime juice if unavailable)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Begin by cleaning the chicken thoroughly. Rub the chicken pieces with lime juice to remove any strong odors and add a subtle tanginess. If desired, you can marinate the chicken for a few hours or overnight for deeper flavor. For a quicker method, proceed directly to the next step.

2. Make the Spice Paste: Blend the shallots, garlic, candlenuts, red chilies, ginger, galangal, and turmeric into a smooth paste.

3. Cook the Spice Paste: Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the spice paste until it becomes fragrant. Add the bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass (if using), and ground coriander to the pan, stirring well.

4. Add the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces into the pan, mixing them thoroughly with the spice paste.

5. Simmer: Pour in just enough water to cover the chicken almost completely. Add the sweet soy sauce, salt, and palm sugar. Stir well and adjust the seasoning to your taste.

6. Cook Until Tender: Allow the chicken to simmer gently until the liquid has reduced and the chicken is cooked through and tender. Stir occasionally and, if necessary, pierce the chicken with a fork to help the flavors penetrate.

7. Grill the Chicken: Heat a non-stick frying pan or Teflon skillet over medium heat. Brush the chicken with the remaining sauce from the pan. Grill the chicken, turning occasionally, until the outside is nicely charred and caramelized.

8. Serve: Remove the chicken from the pan and serve hot with steamed rice, sambal terasi, and fresh vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Enjoy this flavorful Ayam Bakar Bumbu Kecap, a deliciously spiced grilled chicken dish that’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends!