Spicy Indonesian Chicken Rica-Rica

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Allow the dish to simmer, letting the flavors meld and the sauce thicken to your preference. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

7. 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!