Ayam Betawi – Indonesian Fried Sweet Soy Chicken
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Ayam Betawi is a traditional Indonesian dish featuring lightly fried chicken for a crispy texture, simmered in a sweet and mildly spicy sauce.
This savory dish features tender boneless chicken in a rich sauce sweet from kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce) and palm sugar, mellowed by fragrant lime leaves with a hint of spice from the sambal chili paste. And between you and me, this is one of my all time favorite Indonesian chicken dishes.
The term “Betawi” refers to the native ethnic group of Jakarta, and the name is derived from “Batavia,” the former name of Jakarta during the Dutch colonial period. The Betawi people are known for their unique cuisine, which combines influences from Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Arabic, Indian, and Dutch culinary traditions. Therefore, dishes with “Betawi” in the name, like Ayam Betawi or Soto Betawi, are often traditional recipes originating from or associated with the Betawi community in Jakarta.
Browse more classic Indonesian main dishes in one place.
How to Make Ayam Betawi
Ayam Betawi is prepared by coating the chicken in flour, frying it until golden, and then simmering it in a rich sauce made from a spice blend, palm sugar, and sweet soy sauce. The dish also incorporates lime leaves, which lend a citrusy fragrance. The chicken is then combined with the sauce and cooked until well-coated and flavorful.
Continue below for the full recipe with ingredients and step-by-step instructions.
Ayam Betawi is typically enjoyed as a main dish, served with steamed rice. It can also be paired with simple Indonesian sides like sautéed spinach, cucumber salad, or fried tempeh.
Customization Options
Customize Ayam Betawi by adjusting the level of spiciness or sweetness. If you prefer more heat, leave the seeds in the chili or add an extra chili. For a sweeter sauce, you can increase the amount of gula jawa. The chicken can be made with breast or thigh meat, depending on your preference for leaner or juicier cuts.
Ayam Betawi (Indonesian Fried Chicken in Sweet Spicy Sauce)
This Ayam Betawi recipe brings together crispy fried chicken and a sweet, slightly spicy sauce for a rich, flavorful Indonesian dish. A must-try for fans of Asian food.
Ayam Betawi fits a Keto diet if you reduce or substitute the palm sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken (boneless breast or thigh), cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 chili pepper (such as a red chili), sliced
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander (ketumbar)
- 1 tablespoon palm sugar (gula jawa), grated or finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- 2 makrut lime leaves (jeruk purut eaves)
- 1 ½ teaspoons lime or lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Oil, for frying
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into small pieces. In a ziplock bag, add flour and chicken, mixing well to coat.
- Chop onion and garlic. Remove seeds from the chili and dice finely.
- Blend the onion, garlic, chili, ground coriander, and white pepper with 1 tablespoon of oil in a mortar and pestle or blender to create the bumbu (spice mix). Set aside.
- Fry chicken in hot oil in batches. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan to keep them crisp. Set aside.
- Remove most of the oil from the pan, leaving just a small amount. Reheat the oil and fry the bumbu for a few minutes.
- Add lime leaves, palm sugar, lime juice, and sweet soy sauce. Stir well.
- Return the fried chicken to the pan and stir to coat with the sauce.
- Season with salt to taste, and serve with steamed rice.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To freeze, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Reheat on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 347Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 406mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 2gSugar: 11gProtein: 29g
The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated. These figures should be considered estimates.
