Spicy Indonesian Chicken Stew (Ayam Woku Manado)

Discover the bold flavors of Indonesia with this traditional Ayam Woku Manado recipe. This fragrant chicken stew from Manado is rich in spices and aromatic herbs, perfect for a hearty and flavorful meal. Follow these simple steps to bring a touch of Indonesian cuisine to your table.

Ingredients:

For the Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus):

• 6 shallots (bawang merah)
• 4 cloves garlic (bawang putih)
• 3 cm ginger (jahe)
• 4 cm turmeric (kunyit)
• 3 candlenuts (kemiri)
• 4 red chilies (cabe merah)
• 4 bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit) — adjust according to your heat preference

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into 12–16 pieces
• 1 bunch basil leaves (daun kemangi)
• 5 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk)
• 4 bay leaves (daun salam)
• 1 pandan leaf, finely sliced
• 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
• 1 red tomato, chopped
• 1–2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder (kaldu bubuk)
• Salt to taste
• Sugar to taste
• 400 ml water
• Oil for sautéing

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • In a pot, bring water to a boil. Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 7 minutes to remove impurities. Discard the water, rinse the chicken under cold water, and drain well.

2. Make the Spice Paste:

   • Blend the shallots, garlic, ginger, turmeric, candlenuts, red chilies, and bird’s eye chilies into a smooth paste. You can use a food processor or mortar and pestle for this.

3. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until fragrant and the oil begins to separate from the paste.

4. Add the Aromatics:

   • Add the kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves, pandan leaf, and lemongrass to the pan. Continue to sauté until the aromatics release their flavors.

5. Combine Ingredients:

   • Add the prepared chicken pieces to the pan, stirring to coat them evenly with the spice paste. Cook for a few minutes until the chicken is well mixed with the spices.

6. Simmer the Stew:

   • Pour in the water and add the chicken bouillon powder, salt, and sugar. Stir in the chopped tomato. Adjust the seasoning to taste and bring the mixture to a boil.

7. Cook to Perfection:

   • Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the chicken is tender and the sauce has reduced to your desired consistency. This usually takes about 30-40 minutes.

8. Finish with Basil:

   • Once the chicken is fully cooked and the flavors have melded together, turn off the heat. Stir in the basil leaves and let them wilt in the residual heat.

9. Serve:

   • Transfer the Ayam Woku Manado to a serving dish and enjoy it with steamed rice. The rich, aromatic flavors will make it a standout dish at any meal.

This Ayam Woku Manado recipe showcases the vibrant and diverse flavors of Indonesian cuisine, making it a delightful addition to your recipe collection. Enjoy the blend of spicy, savory, and aromatic notes in every bite!