Sweet and Spicy Indonesian Chicken Stew

Spicy Sweet Chicken (Ayam Pedas Manis) Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 chicken (cut into pieces)
• For the Spice Paste:
  • 12 red chilies
  • 12 bird’s eye chilies (adjust to taste)
  • 5 shallots
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • A small piece of turmeric
  • 1 cm ginger
• Additional Ingredients:
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 stalk lemongrass (smashed)
  • 1 piece galangal (smashed)
  • Salt to taste
  • Sugar (about 3 tablespoons, adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
  • Water as needed
  • Chicken bouillon powder to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1/2 onion, sliced

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Wash the chicken pieces thoroughly. Rub with salt, chicken bouillon powder, and black pepper. Set aside.

2. Make the Spice Paste:

   Related Articles

   • 
     Easy Chicken Meatballs Recipe (Bakso Ayam)
   • 
     Crispy Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight
   • 
     Savory Chicken Feet Topping for Mie Ayam
   • 
     Indonesian Sweet Soy Chicken Meatballs
   • In a blender or food processor, combine the red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, shallots, garlic, turmeric, and ginger. Blend until smooth to form a spice paste.

3. Prepare the Aromatics:

   • Tear the kaffir lime leaves and bay leaves in half. Smash the lemongrass and galangal to release their flavors. Set aside.

4. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • Heat some oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the sliced onion until translucent.
   • Add the prepared spice paste, kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves, lemongrass, and galangal. Cook until the paste is fragrant and the oil begins to separate from the spices.

5. Season the Dish:

   • Add sugar, salt, and chicken bouillon powder to the pan. Adjust to your taste. If you prefer a sweeter dish, increase the sugar as needed.

6. Simmer the Chicken:

   • Pour in enough water to cover the chicken pieces. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
   • Add the chicken pieces to the pan. Stir briefly to combine, then add the oyster sauce and lime juice. The lime juice adds a refreshing tang to balance the flavors, so adjust to taste.

7. Cook Until Tender:

   • Lower the heat and let the chicken simmer gently. Allow the sauce to reduce and the chicken to become tender and well-coated with the flavorful sauce. This process should take about 30-40 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces.

8. Final Adjustments:

   • Check the seasoning and adjust salt, sugar, and pepper if necessary. Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove from heat.

9. Serve:

   • Transfer the spicy sweet chicken to a serving platter. Garnish with additional slices of onion if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes.

Enjoy your delicious and flavorful Ayam Pedas Manis, a perfect blend of spicy and sweet that will surely impress your family and friends!