Ayam Rica-Rica (Manado Chili Chicken)
In short: Chicken simmered and stir-fried in a fiery Manado paste of chilies, shallots and ginger with lemongrass, lime leaf and a handful of fresh basil. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 290 kcal
Rica-rica is the fiery, fragrant chili dish of Manado in North Sulawesi, and chicken is its most popular partner. Cooks fry a thick paste of red chilies, shallots, ginger and garlic with lemongrass and lime leaves until the oil separates, then simmer the chicken in it. A handful of fresh basil goes in right at the end. Serve with plenty of plain rice.
Instructions
- Rub the chicken with the lime juice and 1/2 tsp salt. Let it stand for 15 minutes.
- Blend the shallots, garlic, long and bird's eye chilies and ginger into a coarse paste.
- Heat the oil in a wide pan or wok over medium heat. Add the paste, lemongrass and lime leaves. Fry for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the oil separates and the paste smells sweet and fragrant.
- Add the chicken and toss to coat. Stir in the sugar, salt and water, cover and simmer for 25 minutes, turning the pieces once.
- Uncover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the sauce is thick, clings to the chicken and the thickest piece reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Take the pan off the heat. Stir in the lime juice and basil, which will wilt in the residual heat. Serve with steamed rice.
Tips
- The long frying of the paste is what matters. Do not rush it, because raw chili paste tastes harsh while cooked paste turns sweet and deep.
- The same paste works for fish, shrimp or tofu. Cook fish only 6 to 8 minutes in the sauce, and add the basil at the end.
Questions and answers
How spicy is ayam rica-rica?
Very, in Manado. Use only long red chilies and remove their seeds for a mild version, or add the full amount of bird's eye chilies for the authentic heat.
What can I use instead of kemangi basil?
Thai basil or lemon basil is the closest. Regular sweet basil also works, with a squeeze of extra lime for the citrus note.
Can I make rica-rica ahead of time?
Yes. Make it without the basil up to 2 days ahead, then reheat gently and stir in the fresh basil and lime juice just before serving.
How long does it take to make Ayam Rica-Rica (Manado Chili Chicken)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ayam Rica-Rica (Manado Chili Chicken)?
About 290 kcal per serving, with 27 g of protein, 7 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 290 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
