Sweet and Spicy Crispy Chicken Bites

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Pop (Ayam Pop Pedas Manis)

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 2 chicken breast fillets
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Instant crispy flour (for coating)

For the Sweet and Spicy Sauce:

• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons chili sauce
• 1 large red chili, thinly sliced and seeded
• 1/2 teaspoon chicken stock powder
• 1/2 teaspoon savory seasoning (e.g., Magic Lezat)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper seasoning (e.g., Ladaku)
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• 150 ml water
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch, mixed with a little water to make a slurry

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Wash the chicken breast fillets and cut them into bite-sized cubes.
   • Squeeze lime juice over the chicken pieces, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse again.
   • Sprinkle minced garlic, salt, and ground black pepper over the chicken. Allow it to marinate for about 1 hour.

2. Coat and Fry the Chicken:

   • Prepare a wet batter and a dry flour coating. Dip the marinated chicken pieces into the wet batter, then coat them with the dry flour mixture.
   • Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Set aside.

3. Make the Sweet and Spicy Sauce:

   • Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the sliced garlic, onion, and red chili until they become golden and fragrant.
   • Add the water to the pan, followed by chicken stock powder, savory seasoning, pepper seasoning, salt, sugar, ketchup, and chili sauce. Stir and bring to a boil.
   • Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan and stir continuously until the sauce thickens.

4. Combine and Serve:

   • Toss the fried chicken pieces into the sauce, stirring gently to ensure the chicken is well coated.
   • Once the chicken is evenly coated and the sauce is glossy, remove from heat.

5. Serve Hot:

   • Transfer the chicken to a serving plate and enjoy this sweet and spicy delight while it’s still hot!

This recipe offers a delightful balance of sweet and spicy flavors, perfect for a savory snack or a flavorful meal. Enjoy the crispy chicken coated in a rich, tangy sauce!