Ayam Bakar Grilled Sweet Soy Chicken

Name: Ayam Bakar Grilled Sweet Soy Chicken
Prep time: 55 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 95 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: 4 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (legs and thighs); 1/4 cup kecap manis (sweet soy sauce); 2 tbsp soy sauce; 2 lemongrass stalks, bruised, sliced; 6 shallots, roughly chopped; 6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped; 2-in piece fresh galangal or ginger, peeled, sliced; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1/2 tsp ground turmeric; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 cup full-fat coconut milk; 1 tsp salt; 2 lime, cut into wedges

Chicken marinated in a fragrant blend of lemongrass, galangal, and sweet soy sauce, simmered in the marinade first, then finished on the grill for smoky, caramelized skin. Plan ahead: marinate at least 1 hour.

95 minMediumServes 4460 cal/serving

IndonesianDinnerGrill and StovetopHigh ProteinLow CarbDairy-FreePork-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

4 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (legs and thighs)
1/4 cup kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 lemongrass stalks, bruised, sliced
6 shallots, roughly chopped
6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
2-in piece fresh galangal or ginger, peeled, sliced
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup full-fat coconut milk
1 tsp salt
2 lime, cut into wedges

Instructions

1

Blend 6 roughly chopped shallots, 6 roughly chopped garlic cloves, 2-in piece peeled, sliced fresh galangal or ginger, 2 bruised, sliced lemongrass stalks, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a blender or food processor until a coarse paste forms.
2

Score bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (legs and thighs) deeply with a knife to help the marinade penetrate. Rub the spice paste all over, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3

In a large, wide skillet or wok over medium heat, combine the marinated chicken with 1 cup full-fat coconut milk, 1/4 cup kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), and 2 tbsp soy sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is nearly cooked through and the liquid has reduced to a thick coating glaze.
4

Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, basting with any remaining glaze, until skin is charred and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
5

Serve with 2 cut into wedges lime and steamed rice.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Ayam Bakar Grilled Sweet Soy Chicken reach?

For Ayam Bakar Grilled Sweet Soy Chicken, the target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Why score it in Ayam Bakar Grilled Sweet Soy Chicken?

Step 2 reads: "Score bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (legs and thighs) deeply with a knife to help the marinade penetrate." The shallow cuts in step 2 let fat render and seasoning reach further in, and they keep the surface from curling as it tightens in the heat.

Do I need any special equipment for Ayam Bakar Grilled Sweet Soy Chicken?

Beyond a knife and a board, the method uses a food processor (step 1), a blender (step 1) and a wok (step 3). If you do not have one, a sharp knife and patience, or a blender in short pulses, stands in for the food processor.

Is there a substitute for kecap manis in Ayam Bakar Grilled Sweet Soy Chicken?

The entry for Ayam Bakar Grilled Sweet Soy Chicken calls for 1/4 cup kecap manis (sweet soy sauce). In its place: Simmer equal parts soy sauce and brown sugar or molasses for a minute, until syrupy.

Which part of Ayam Bakar Grilled Sweet Soy Chicken can be done ahead?

Everything up to step 2. Step 2 is a built-in pause of 1 hour: "Rub the spice paste all over, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 3 when you are ready to finish.

Serve it with

Tumis Kangkung side
Rujak Uleg salad
Sambal Matah sauce
Es Teler Mixed Fruit Coconut Cooler drink

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