Ayam Bakar (Indonesian Grilled Chicken with Sweet Soy Glaze)
In short: Chicken gently simmered in a shallot and chili paste, then grilled and brushed with sticky sweet soy glaze until lacquered and lightly charred. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 500 kcal
Ayam bakar means grilled chicken, and every region of Indonesia has its own version. This one is the everyday style: chicken simmered briefly in a shallot, garlic and chili paste so it is tender inside, then grilled over charcoal and brushed with a sweet soy glaze until it turns glossy and slightly charred. Serve it with rice, raw vegetables and a sharp sambal.
Instructions
- Blend the shallots, garlic, chilies, candlenuts, ginger, coriander, salt and lime juice into a paste. Rub it over the chicken and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Put the chicken and all the paste into a pot with the water. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is almost cooked.
- Lift the chicken out and let it drain. Boil the leftover sauce for 5 minutes until thick, to serve on the side.
- Stir the glaze ingredients together. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high.
- Grill the chicken for 12 to 15 minutes, turning often. Start brushing with the glaze after 5 minutes and repeat each turn, until the skin is lacquered and charred in spots.
- Check that the thickest piece reaches 74°C (165°F). Rest for 5 minutes and serve with rice, raw vegetables, sambal and the thickened sauce.
Tips
- Brush the glaze on only after the first 5 minutes of grilling, because the sugar in kecap manis burns quickly over a hot fire. Keep the chicken a little away from the flames.
- Without a grill, roast on a rack at 230°C (450°F) for 20 minutes, brushing with glaze every 5 minutes, then finish for 2 minutes under the broiler.
Questions and answers
Can I use chicken breast for ayam bakar?
You can, but breast dries out easily. Simmer it for only 10 minutes, then grill briefly to 74°C (165°F). Thighs and drumsticks are far more forgiving.
What can I use instead of kecap manis?
Mix 3 tbsp soy sauce with 2 tbsp brown sugar or molasses and simmer for a minute until syrupy. It will be slightly thinner than the real thing.
Can I make ayam bakar ahead?
Simmer the chicken a day ahead and refrigerate it. Grill it just before serving, adding a few minutes of cooking time because the chicken will be cold.
How long does it take to make Ayam Bakar (Indonesian Grilled Chicken with Sweet Soy Glaze)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ayam Bakar (Indonesian Grilled Chicken with Sweet Soy Glaze)?
About 500 kcal per serving, with 35 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates and 34 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 500 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fat | 34 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 1400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
