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Indonesian ayam bakar inspired spicy tawa grilled chicken

Ayam Bakar, meaning “grilled chicken” in Indonesian, is a smoky and flavorful dish that showcases the rich spices of Indonesia. The chicken is marinated in a blend of turmeric, garlic, ginger, coriander, and sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), then slow-grilled to perfection. The result is tender, juicy chicken with a slightly charred and caramelized exterior.
Often served with steamed rice, sambal (spicy chili sauce), and fresh vegetables, Ayam Bakar is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, making it a beloved dish across Indonesia and beyond.
I've been inspired by this beautiful dish from one of my favorite Indonesian spots that I often go to, they serve this grilled chicken that is so flavourful so smokey, and so juicy it melts in your mouth. I've used my chopper to chop and make a coarse paste of the chili and aromatics and then marinated the chicken for a few hours resulting in the most delicious grilled chicken I've ever tasted.
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Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 serves
Course: ayam bakar, bhuna chicken, grilled chicken, Main Course, main dish
Cuisine: balinese, indonesia inspired, indonesian
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2-4 pieces of chicken cut in medium
  • 7 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1/2 tsp fresh or powder turmeric
  • 10 fresh red chili/soaked dried red chili
  • 1/2 cup coriander
  • 1/2 cup spring onion
  • 1 red onion/shallot cut
  • 1tsp lemon juice
  • 2 chicken stock cubes/vegeta for flavour msg works too
  • 2 tbsp sweet soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Ketchup
  • 1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
  • 2 lime leaves optional
  • 2 tsp fried shallots to garnish
  • 2 green chili optional
  • 1 tsp lemongrass optional
  • fresh coriander to garnish

Equipment

  • 1 tawa/grill pan/grill
  • 1 chopped/mixer to make the marination

Method
 

  1. in a mixer/chopper add turmeric, chilis, ginger, garlic, lemongrass, coriander, shallots/red onion, spring onion and blend until coarse paste.
  2. marinate the chicken pieces with this chili paste along with sweet chili sauce, ketchup, sweet soy sauce, chicken seasonings and lemon juice.
  3. Mix very well and let it marinate at least 2 hours, better overnight.
  4. In a pan/grill add some oil and add the marinated chicken.
  5. cook until charred on both sides. put the heat to low and cover and cook for 10 minutes each sides again.
  6. Now add the rest of the marination and keep basting the chicken pieces with the chicken sauce and marination oil in the pan.
  7. Keep cooking on low heat while basting the chicken pieces until they’re fully cooked. with my medium-sized chicken pieces, it took me 20-25 minutes.
  8. Add the lime leaves for a nice fragrant, add some fresh chili and coriander too.
  9. Serve with some plain/coconut rice, lemon, fried shallots and some salads on the side.