Ayam Goreng Kremes Recipe – Indonesian Style Crunchy Fried Chicken
Ayam Goreng Kremes is a beloved Indonesian dish that offers a rich combination of savory, crunchy, and aromatic flavors. This Indonesian-style crispy fried chicken is made by marinating chicken pieces in a nutty broth, which imparts deep, savory flavors to the chicken. The chicken is then fried to perfection and paired with crispy, golden crumbs that add a delightful crunch. The unique blend of cashew nuts, kaffir lime leaves, tender coconut water, and a touch of heat from red chilies makes this dish a true celebration of Indonesian cuisine.
This recipe, though easy to prepare, brings out the best of Indonesian flavors and textures, making it the perfect appetizer or side dish to accompany a meal.
Cuisine: Indonesian
Course: Appetizer
Diet: High Protein, Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cashew nuts | 1/4 cup |
| Garlic | 8 cloves |
| Onion | 1 medium |
| Lemon juice | 1 tablespoon |
| Kaffir lime leaves | 5 leaves |
| Coriander (Dhania) Seeds | 2 teaspoons |
| Tender coconut water | 1 cup |
| Salt | To taste |
| Chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch cubes) | 200 grams |
| Whole Egg | 1 |
| Rice flour | 2 tablespoons |
| Oil (for sautéing and frying) | As needed |
| Dry Red Chillies (crushed) | 2 |
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: Serves 4-6 people
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Marinade:
Begin by preparing the marinade for the chicken. In a blender or mixer jar, combine cashew nuts, garlic, and onion. Add a little water and grind everything into a smooth paste. -
Cook the Chicken:
Heat a kadai or wok over medium flame. Add the freshly ground cashew-nut mixture to the pan. Then, pour in the tender coconut water, followed by the salt, kaffir lime leaves, lemon juice, and coriander seeds. Stir everything together, and add the chicken cubes. Allow the chicken to simmer in this aromatic broth for about 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked. Once done, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside, but keep the coconut water mixture for later. -
Prepare the Sautéed Garlic and Red Chilies:
In a separate pan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until golden brown and fragrant. Add the crushed dry red chilies and quickly toss in the cooked chicken. Flash-cook the chicken on high heat for about two minutes, just to give it a nice sear and flavor infusion. Once done, transfer the chicken to a mixing bowl. -
Make the Crispy Crumbs:
To the mixing bowl that holds the coconut water mixture, add 1 whole egg and a pinch of salt. Mix well to combine. In a separate kadai or frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Drop spoonfuls of the coconut-water batter into the hot oil, and deep fry until the batter turns golden brown and crisp. Fry the batter in batches until all the batter is used up. Drain the crispy discs on absorbent paper to remove excess oil. -
Crumble the Crispy Discs:
Once the fried discs have cooled slightly, crumble them by hand, or place them in a mortar and pestle and pound them into coarse crumbs. -
Toss the Chicken:
Add the crumbled crispy discs to the mixing bowl with the chicken and toss gently to coat the chicken evenly with the crunchy crumbs. -
Serve:
Transfer the Ayam Goreng Kremes to a serving platter and serve immediately. Garnish with lemon wedges for an added zesty flavor.
Serving Suggestions:
Ayam Goreng Kremes is best served as a delicious appetizer alongside a traditional Indonesian meal. It pairs wonderfully with Sambal Telor with Nasi Uduk (Indonesian Style Eggs Cooked in Sambal and Lemongrass Coconut Rice), and for dessert, enjoy a refreshing Lemon Frozen Yogurt for the perfect balance of flavors.
Tips:
- Tender Coconut Water: If tender coconut water is not available, you can substitute it with regular coconut water or a light chicken broth for a similar effect.
- Adjust the Heat: The amount of dry red chilies can be adjusted to suit your preference for spiciness.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the chicken and crispy crumbs in advance and fry them just before serving for the best texture.
This Ayam Goreng Kremes recipe is sure to bring a delightful crunch and explosion of flavors to your dinner table!
