Ayam Goreng (Indonesian Fried Chicken)

Delight your taste buds with Ayam Goreng, a classic Indonesian Fried Chicken recipe that's crispy, aromatic, and irresistibly flavorful. This dish brings together tender chicken pieces infused with a bold spice paste made from turmeric, coriander, garlic, shallots, and candlenuts, simmered with fragrant galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. The result is juicy, spice-infused chicken that’s fried to golden perfection, delivering a satisfying crunch with every bite. The dish is elevated with a squeeze of fresh lime and pairs beautifully with steamed rice and sambal for an authentic Indonesian dining experience. Perfect for dinner parties or a comforting family meal, this Ayam Goreng recipe is a must-try for fans of Southeast Asian cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces chicken pieces
• 500 ml oil for frying
• 20 grams galangal, thinly sliced
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised and cut into pieces
• 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 4 cloves shallots
• 6 cloves garlic
• 2 pieces candlenuts
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 600 ml water
• 1 lime, cut into wedges (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the spice paste. In a blender, combine the shallots, garlic, candlenuts, turmeric powder, and coriander seeds. Blend until smooth, adding a little water as needed to facilitate blending.

Step 2

In a large pot or deep frying pan, add the spice paste along with the galangal, lemongrass, bay leaves, and kaffir lime leaves.

Step 3

Pour in the water and mix well.

Step 4

Add the chicken pieces to the pot, making sure they are well coated with the spice mixture.

Step 5

Season with salt and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.

Step 6

Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and infused with the spices.

Step 7

Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. Reserve the cooking liquid for later use.

Step 8

Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or heavy-based pan to 180°C (350°F).

Step 9

Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches, frying until they are golden brown and crispy, approximately 5-7 minutes per batch.

Step 10

Remove the fried chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Step 11

Optionally, reduce the reserved cooking liquid in a saucepan to make a sauce to serve with the chicken.

Step 12

Serve the ayam goreng hot with lime wedges on the side. Pair with steamed rice and sambal for an authentic Indonesian meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1920.1 grams (1920.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5962

Total Fat 591.50g	758%
Saturated Fat 96.10g	481%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 528mg	176%
Sodium 2894mg	126%
Total Carbohydrate 40.10g	15%
Dietary Fiber 9.70g	35%
Total Sugars 5.00g
Protein 168.20g	336%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 295mg	23%
Iron 16mg	87%
Potassium 2111mg	45%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 86.5%

Protein: 10.9%

Carbs: 2.6%