Heart-Healthy Ayam Rica-Rica

Discover a lighter twist on a beloved Indonesian classic with this Heart-Healthy Ayam Rica-Rica recipe! Featuring tender, bite-sized pieces of skinless chicken breast simmered in a vibrant, aromatic spice paste made of red chili peppers, ginger, lemongrass, shallots, and garlic, this dish is bursting with bold flavors while keeping your health goals in check. A splash of olive oil and low-sodium chicken broth make it a heart-smart choice, while kaffir lime leaves and fresh basil add layers of zesty, herbaceous freshness. With turmeric lending its golden hue and anti-inflammatory benefits, this dish is not only delicious but also nutritionally balanced. Ready in just under an hour and perfect for serving over steamed rice or quinoa, this guilt-free Ayam Rica-Rica delivers all the heat and zest of traditional Indonesian cuisine with a nutritious spin.

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams skinless chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 red chili peppers
• 4 cloves shallots
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 inch piece ginger
• 1 stalk lemongrass
• 4 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 250 ml low-sodium chicken broth
• 20 fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cut the skinless chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and marinate them with lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Set aside for 10 minutes.

Step 2

Slice the shallots, garlic, ginger, and lemongrass thinly. Remove the seeds from the red chili peppers and chop them roughly.

Step 3

In a blender, combine sliced shallots, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and red chili peppers. Blend into a smooth paste, adding a tablespoon of water if necessary.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the blended spice paste and sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant and the oil begins to separate from the paste.

Step 5

Add the turmeric powder to the pan and stir well, cooking for another 2 minutes.

Step 6

Add the marinated chicken pieces into the pan and stir to coat the chicken well with the spice paste.

Step 7

Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and add the kaffir lime leaves. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 8

Cover the pan and let it cook on low heat for approximately 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

Step 9

Uncover the pan and discard the kaffir lime leaves. Increase the heat to reduce the sauce until it thickens to your preference.

Step 10

Turn off the heat and add the fresh basil leaves, stirring them into the dish until wilted.

Step 11

Serve the Ayam Rica-Rica hot, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1887.7 grams (1887.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1599

Total Fat 53.50g	69%
Saturated Fat 9.40g	47%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 411mg	137%
Sodium 1658mg	72%
Total Carbohydrate 78.90g	29%
Dietary Fiber 39.70g	142%
Total Sugars 12.70g
Protein 193.10g	386%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1440mg	111%
Iron 45mg	248%
Potassium 4506mg	96%

*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: 30.7%

Protein: 49.2%

Carbs: 20.1%