Spicy Indonesian Ayam Betutu: Aromatic Braised Chicken

Ayam Betutu Recipe: Indonesian Spiced Chicken

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of chicken (cleaned and cut into pieces)

For the Spice Paste:

• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 packet shrimp paste (terasi)
• 10 bird’s eye chilies (cabi rawit)
• 2 cm fresh turmeric (kunyit)
• 2 candlenuts (kemiri)

For the Sliced Spices:

• 5 red chilies
• 5 bird’s eye chilies (cabi rawit)
• 2 stalks lemongrass (serai)
• 2 lime leaves (daun jeruk)
• 1 cm ginger (jahe)
• 1 cm kencur (aromatic root)
• 8 shallots (bawang merah)
• 8 cloves garlic (bawang putih)
• Salt, to taste
• Sugar, to taste
• Water, as needed

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • In a blender or food processor, combine coriander seeds, black pepper, shrimp paste, bird’s eye chilies, fresh turmeric, and candlenuts. Blend into a smooth paste. If needed, add a bit of water to help blend.

2. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • Heat a little oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until fragrant and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

3. Prepare the Sliced Spices:

   • While the paste is cooking, slice the red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, lemongrass, lime leaves, ginger, and kencur. Also, finely chop the shallots and garlic.

4. Combine Ingredients:

   • Add the sliced spices to the pan with the cooked spice paste. Stir well and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the spices are well combined and aromatic.

5. Add Chicken:

   • Add the chicken pieces to the pan, stirring to coat them thoroughly with the spice mixture. Cook for a few minutes until the chicken is well-coated and starts to brown slightly.

6. Simmer:

   • Pour in enough water to cover the chicken. Season with salt and sugar to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.

7. Cook the Chicken:

   • Cover the pan and let the chicken simmer on low heat until it is tender and the flavors are well absorbed, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The liquid should reduce and thicken slightly.

8. Serve:

   • Once the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot with steamed rice or your choice of side dishes.

Enjoy your delicious and aromatic Ayam Betutu!