Spicy Indonesian Shredded Chicken (Ayam Jerit Pedes)

Ayam Jerit Pedes: A Spicy Indonesian Chicken Delight

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg chicken breast (ayam dada)
• Red chilies (cabe merah)
• Bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit merah)
• Kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk)
• Bay leaves (daun salam)
• Red onions (bawang merah)
• Garlic (bawang putih)
• Kencur (aromatic ginger-like root)
• Tomatoes (tomat)
• Galangal (lengkoas)
• Lemongrass (sereh)
• Lime or lemon juice (jeruk nipis/limau)
• Sugar (gula)
• Salt (garam)
• Seasoning (penyedap)
• Chicken seasoning mix (bumbu racik ayam goreng)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the chicken breasts along with bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, and lemongrass. Simmer until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
   • Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and shred it into small pieces. Set aside.

2. Make the Spice Paste:

   • In a blender, combine red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, red onions, garlic, tomatoes, kencur, and galangal. Blend until smooth to create a rich, aromatic spice paste.

3. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste and cook, stirring frequently, until the paste is fragrant and the oil begins to separate from the mixture.
   • Add additional kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves, and lemongrass to the pan, allowing them to infuse their flavors into the paste.

4. Combine Chicken and Spice Paste:

   • Add the shredded chicken to the pan with the spice paste. Stir well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the paste.
   • Continue cooking until the chicken is half-dried and the flavors are well incorporated.

5. Season and Finish:

   • Season with sugar, salt, and a bit of seasoning mix. Adjust the taste as needed.
   • Squeeze in lime or lemon juice to add a tangy freshness. Stir thoroughly until the chicken is coated and the paste has dried to your desired consistency.

6. Serve:

   • Once the chicken is well-cooked and has a slightly dry texture, remove from heat. Serve warm with steamed rice or as a flavorful side dish.

Enjoy your Ayam Jerit Pedes, a dish that perfectly balances spiciness with aromatic herbs, delivering a taste of authentic Indonesian cuisine!