Savory Indonesian Black Pepper Chicken

Ayam Lada Hitam (Black Pepper Chicken)

Ingredients:

• 3 chicken thighs
• 5-6 red chili peppers, sliced diagonally
• Salt, to taste
• Sugar, to taste
• 1 sachet of black pepper sauce (e.g., Bamboo brand)
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: Begin by marinating the chicken thighs with a generous squeeze of lime juice and salt. Allow the chicken to marinate for about 30 minutes if you’re in a hurry, or up to an hour for a more thorough flavor infusion.

2. Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the marinated chicken thighs until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

3. Prepare the Sauce: In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed and sauté the sliced onions until they become translucent. Add the sliced red chili peppers and cook until fragrant and slightly softened.

4. Add the Sauce: Pour in the black pepper sauce and stir well. Adjust the seasoning with a pinch of salt and a touch of sugar to balance the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

5. Combine and Simmer: Return the fried chicken to the pan, adding a small amount of water to help blend the flavors. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for a few minutes, letting the sauce absorb into the chicken.

6. Serve: Once the chicken is well-coated and the sauce has thickened slightly, remove from heat. Serve hot and enjoy the savory, spicy flavors of this classic Indonesian dish.

Feel free to adjust the level of heat by varying the amount of chili peppers or black pepper sauce to suit your taste preferences.