Savor the irresistible flavors of Ayam Kecap, an Indonesian classic that combines tender chicken drumsticks with the rich sweetness of kecap manis, a beloved sweet soy sauce. This dish is a symphony of fragrant spices—think garlic, ginger, ground coriander, and a hint of fiery bird’s eye chilies—slow-simmered to create a caramelized glaze that beautifully coats the chicken. Finished with a squeeze of lime for brightness and garnished with fresh spring onions, Ayam Kecap is perfect alongside a steaming bowl of rice for a comforting, flavor-packed meal. Ready in just under an hour, this recipe is a delicious homage to Southeast Asian cuisine that balances sweet, savory, and spicy notes in every bite.
Begin by preparing the ingredients: thinly slice the shallots, finely chop the garlic, chop the ginger, and cut the bird's eye chilies into small pieces. Slice the spring onion for garnishing. Set aside.
Heat a large pan or wok over medium heat and add the vegetable oil.
Once the oil is hot, add the shallots, garlic, ginger, and chilies. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Add the chicken drumsticks to the pan and brown them on all sides for about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the ground coriander, salt, and black pepper, ensuring the chicken is well coated with the spices.
Pour the kecap manis and water over the chicken and stir well.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the chicken simmer for 30 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
The sauce should thicken and glaze the chicken nicely. Add more water if needed to prevent drying out.
Squeeze the juice of a lime over the chicken to add a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness of the soy sauce.
Transfer the chicken to a serving platter, and garnish with sliced spring onions.
Serve hot with steamed rice and enjoy your homemade Ayam Kecap.
Calories |
2134 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 113.6 g | 146% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.5 g | 132% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 25.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 744 mg | 248% | |
| Sodium | 5972 mg | 260% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 102.1 g | 37% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.9 g | 32% | |
| Total Sugars | 64.0 g | ||
| Protein | 188.6 g | 377% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 280 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 11.8 mg | 66% | |
| Potassium | 2794 mg | 59% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.