Ayam Rica-Rica: A Spicy Indonesian Chicken Delight
Ingredients:
- 1/2 chicken, cut into small pieces
- 3 cloves garlic
- 10 red chilies
- 5 bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit)
- 2 cm ginger
- 2 candlenuts (kemiri)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cm galangal
- 1 stalk lemongrass
- 2 bay leaves (daun salam)
- 2 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk)
- 1 tomato
- Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), to taste
- Sugar, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- 200 ml water
- Green onions, sliced, for garnish
- Fried shallots (bawang goreng), for garnish
- Cooking oil
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Chicken:
Begin by cutting the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. Rinse thoroughly and let it drain. -
Prepare the Spice Paste:
In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic, red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, ginger, and candlenuts. Blend into a smooth paste. Lightly crush the galangal and lemongrass to release their flavors. -
Fry the Shallots:
If using raw shallots, thinly slice them and fry in hot oil until crispy and golden brown. Set aside for garnish. Alternatively, you can use pre-made fried shallots. -
Cook the Spice Paste:
Heat a sufficient amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté along with ground coriander, ground black pepper, and a pinch of salt and sugar. Toss in the galangal and lemongrass. Continue to cook until the paste becomes aromatic and the oil begins to separate. -
Simmer the Chicken:
Pour in the water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the chicken pieces. Stir in the bay leaves and kaffir lime leaves. Adjust the seasoning with sweet soy sauce, salt, and sugar to your taste. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has reduced to a thick consistency. -
Finish and Garnish:
Slice the tomato and add it to the pan along with the sliced green onions. Stir briefly to combine and let it cook for a minute or two to integrate the flavors. Remove from heat. -
Serve:
Transfer the Ayam Rica-Rica to a serving dish. Garnish with the crispy fried shallots. Serve hot and enjoy with steamed rice.
This Ayam Rica-Rica recipe brings a flavorful taste of Indonesian cuisine right to your kitchen, offering a delightful blend of spicy and aromatic flavors that are sure to please your palate.
