Ayam Rica-Rica: A Spicy Indonesian Delight
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- For the spice paste:
- 10 curly red chilies
- 8 bird’s eye chilies
- 9 shallots
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 thumb-sized piece of turmeric
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 stalk lemongrass, smashed
- 1 sachet of chicken-flavored Royco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- Sufficient water or chicken broth (from boiling the chicken)
Instructions:
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Begin by washing the chicken pieces thoroughly. In a pot, bring water to a boil, adding salt, Royco seasoning, and a squeeze of lime juice. Add the chicken and cook until tender. Once done, drain the chicken, reserving the broth for later use.
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Heat oil in a pan and fry the chicken pieces until they are lightly browned. Be careful not to over-fry, as the chicken should remain juicy.
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While the chicken is frying, prepare the spice paste. Blend the curly red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, shallots, garlic, and turmeric into a smooth paste.
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In a separate pan, heat some oil and sauté the spice paste until it becomes fragrant and well-cooked. Add the bay leaves and smashed lemongrass, continuing to cook until the paste is aromatic.
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Incorporate the fried chicken into the spice paste. Add enough reserved chicken broth to create a rich sauce, adjusting the amount to your desired consistency. Season with sugar, salt, Royco seasoning, ground black pepper, and sweet soy sauce. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
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Allow the dish to simmer, letting the flavors meld and the sauce thicken to your preference. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
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Serve the Ayam Rica-Rica hot, and enjoy this flavorful Indonesian dish with steamed rice or your choice of sides.
Enjoy your cooking adventure with this spicy and aromatic Ayam Rica-Rica, a true taste of Indonesian culinary tradition!
