Spicy Indonesian Ayam Rica-Rica Chicken

Ayam Rica-Rica: A Flavorful Indonesian Chicken Dish

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg chicken (ayam), cut into pieces
• 2 cm galangal (lengkuas), smashed
• 1 stalk lemongrass (daun sereh)
• 4 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk)
• 2 stalks green onions (daun bawang)

For the Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus):

• 10 red chilies (cabe keriting), adjust to taste
• 2 large red chilies (cabe merah besar)
• 4 cloves garlic (bawang putih)
• 7 shallots (bawang merah)
• 2 cm turmeric (kunyit)
• 1 tsp ground pepper (merica bubuk)
• 3 candlenuts (kemiri)
• 2 cm ginger (jahe)
• 3 cm white part of lemongrass (bagian putih bawah sereh)
• 2 tbsp salt (garam), adjust to taste
• 2 tbsp sugar (gula), adjust to taste
• Flavor enhancer (penyedap rasa), optional
• 2 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)

Steps:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Begin by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Wash the pieces thoroughly and set them aside.

2. Cook the Chicken: Boil the chicken in water until fully cooked. Reserve the broth for later use in the cooking process. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it drain.

3. Fry the Chicken: Lightly fry the boiled chicken pieces in a pan until they start to turn golden brown. This step adds a pleasant texture and flavor to the chicken.

4. Make the Spice Paste: Blend or pound all the spice paste ingredients (chili peppers, red chilies, garlic, shallots, turmeric, ground pepper, candlenuts, ginger, and lemongrass) until you achieve a smooth paste. Note that traditional pounding by hand often results in a more robust flavor compared to using a blender.

5. Sauté the Spice Paste: Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the spice paste until it becomes fragrant and aromatic.

6. Combine Ingredients: Add the fried chicken pieces to the pan with the sautéed spice paste. Toss in the smashed galangal, lemongrass stalk, and kaffir lime leaves. Stir everything together for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

7. Add the Broth: Pour in approximately 2 cups of the reserved chicken broth. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly combined.

8. Simmer: Let the mixture simmer until the broth reduces and thickens, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, sugar, and flavor enhancer as needed.

9. Finish and Serve: Once the broth has reduced to a desired consistency and the flavors have melded together, the Ayam Rica-Rica is ready to serve. For the best experience, enjoy it with warm white rice.

Pro Tip: Ayam Rica-Rica pairs wonderfully with a side of warm rice and is best enjoyed with a refreshing glass of water to balance the rich flavors.

This Indonesian classic is sure to delight with its spicy, aromatic, and savory profile, making it a standout dish in any meal lineup.