Ayam Lada Kecap: A Flavorful Indonesian Chicken Dish
Discover a delightful Indonesian recipe that brings together savory, spicy, and sweet elements into one scrumptious dish: Ayam Lada Kecap. This chicken recipe is infused with the aromatic flavors of black pepper and sweet soy sauce, creating a perfect harmony of taste. Ideal for a comforting meal with a bowl of steaming rice, this dish is a great addition to any dinner table. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:
- 1/4 chicken (cut into pieces)
- 2 bay leaves (daun salam)
- 2 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk), thinly sliced
- 1 sachet Saori black pepper sauce (or any black pepper sauce)
- Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), to taste
- Ground black pepper (lada bubuk), to taste (about 1/4 teaspoon)
- 1/2 onion (bawang bombay), finely chopped
- 1 piece galangal (lengkuas), smashed
- Cooking oil, as needed
- 1 cup water (or as needed)
For the Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus):
- 8 shallots (bawang merah)
- 3 cloves garlic (bawang putih)
- 8-10 red chilies (cabe merah), adjust to taste
- 2 cm ginger (jahe)
- Optional: fresh bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit), for extra heat
- 1 teaspoon salt (bumbu garam)
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken:
- Begin by briefly boiling the chicken pieces in water. Once partially cooked, drain and set aside.
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Make the Spice Paste:
- In a blender or food processor, combine the shallots, garlic, red chilies, and ginger to create a smooth spice paste. Add bird’s eye chilies if you prefer extra spiciness.
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Cook the Aromatics:
- Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the finely chopped onion, smashed galangal, bay leaves, and kaffir lime leaves. Stir well and let the mixture cook for a few minutes.
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Season and Simmer:
- Stir in the sachet of Saori black pepper sauce and a moderate amount of sweet soy sauce. Add ground black pepper according to your taste. Mix thoroughly.
- Pour in about 1 cup of water or enough to cover the chicken pieces. Stir to combine.
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Cook the Chicken:
- Add the partially cooked chicken pieces to the pan. Stir to coat the chicken in the sauce and spices.
- Adjust seasoning if needed and let the dish simmer until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
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Serve:
- Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has reached your desired consistency, remove from heat.
- Serve hot with a side of steamed rice and enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of this Indonesian classic.
Feel free to adjust the level of sweetness and spice according to your preference. This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple side of rice, making it a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any day of the week. Enjoy your homemade Ayam Lada Kecap!