Spicy Indonesian Soy Chicken with Sweet Glaze

Spicy Soy Chicken (Ayam Kecap Pedas)

This Spicy Soy Chicken, known locally as Ayam Kecap Pedas, is a vibrant and flavorful dish that beautifully balances the heat of chilies with the rich sweetness of soy sauce. Perfectly suited for a hearty meal, this recipe brings together traditional Indonesian spices and seasonings to create a dish that’s both aromatic and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into 20 pieces

Spice Paste:

• 13 small red chilies (or bird’s eye chilies for extra heat)
• 10 shallots, peeled
• 10 cloves garlic, peeled
• 5 cm fresh ginger, peeled
• 5 cm fresh turmeric, peeled
• 1 teaspoon whole black pepper
• 2 candlenuts (kemiri)

Additional Seasonings:

• 2 bay leaves
• 2 stalks lemongrass, smashed
• 4 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
• 6 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
• Water, as needed
• Cooking oil, for sautéing

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Wash the chicken pieces thoroughly and drain them well.

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2. Make the Spice Paste: Blend the chilies, shallots, garlic, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and candlenuts into a smooth paste using a food processor or mortar and pestle.

3. Cook the Spices: Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the spice paste and additional seasonings (bay leaves, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves) until the mixture becomes fragrant and starts to darken.

4. Add Sweet Soy Sauce: Stir in the salt, sugar, and sweet soy sauce. Continue to cook until the spices are well incorporated and the mixture starts to reduce.

5. Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pan and mix well to coat them with the spice mixture. Pour in enough water to cover the chicken, then bring to a simmer.

6. Simmer: Cook the chicken over low heat until the water is almost reduced and the sauce thickens. Sprinkle the chicken bouillon powder over the chicken, stir, and taste for seasoning. Adjust as needed.

7. Final Touch: Turn off the heat when the sauce is thickened but not completely dry; a little sauce left will complement the rice beautifully.

8. Serve: Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and enjoy hot with steamed rice.

This Spicy Soy Chicken pairs wonderfully with warm rice, offering a deliciously comforting meal that’s both spicy and sweet. Enjoy the rich flavors of Indonesian cuisine with this easy-to-make dish!