Ayam Kecap: Easy 30-Minute Indonesian Chicken Dish

Welcome to another great chicken recipe! Ayam kecap is a fried chicken dish smothered in kecap sauce. Otherwise known as sweet soy sauce. Definitely try it out if you’re into chicken dishes!

To make ayam kecap, simply fry some chopped chicken thighs on high heat. Lower the heat and add spices to simmer the chicken while thickening the sauce. Amazing!

What is ayam kecap?

Ayam kecap, an Indonesian dish, is an amazing blend of Indonesian spices and sweet soy sauce. Ayam in Indonesian means chicken, and kecap means sweet soy sauce.

The dish originates from Indonesia but has gained immense popularity worldwide. This particular recipe is a very simple yet delicious way of making ayam kecap that you can cook up at home.

Ayam kecap may look intimidating, but it is one of the easiest recipes to make. All you need are a few ingredients and a little preparation. I personally served this with nasi uduk, an amazing recipe to upgrade plane white rice, I recommend starting this recipe before making ayam kecap if you want to combine them.

Let’s get started:

Step 1: Collect the ingredients

What to consider when choosing the ingredients

The chicken thighs bring a juicy and rich flavor to the dish, while the green beans add a nice crunch. Garlic adds aroma and flavor, whereas the key ingredient, kecap manis, provides the necessary sweetness to the dish.

For alternative options, you can consider using soy sauce instead of kecap manis, brown sugar instead of palm sugar, and cayenne pepper instead of chili powder to add a mild spicy flavor.

Step 2: Fry ayam kecap

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or try alternative cuts like chicken tenders or chicken strips. Also, wash the green beans and cut them into 3 cm pieces if you don’t buy them pre-cut. Peel the garlic and chop finely or use a press.

Heat a large frying pan over high heat and add the butter. Once the butter is hot and melted, add the chicken pieces and let them fry without disturbing them for a few minutes.

The chicken will develop a crunchy exterior and will cook in its juices, making it juicy and tender. Only stir a couple of times until the chicken is cooked on the outside, add the green beans to the pan, and continue frying until they are hot and slightly soft.

Once everything is cooked, reduce the heat to medium, and add garlic, kecap manis, corn starch, palm sugar, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir-fry the ingredients for a few minutes to mix the flavors and colors well.

Step 3: Serve and conserve ayam kecap

Ayam kecap goes well with various rice dishes, sandwiches, and curries. You can refrigerate the dish for up to two days, although it tastes best when served fresh. I recommend serving with the following:

• Nasi kuning
• Nasi goreng tempeh
• Sambal oelek
• Sambal manis
• Sambal kecap
• Nasi tomat
• Sambal ikan kacang
• Sambal terong

I hope you’ve enjoyed another great recipe, if you did please leave a rating!

FAQ

What is kecap?

Kecap, also known as ketjap, is a type of sweet and salty sauce commonly used in Indonesian cuisine. It is made from fermented soybeans, palm sugar, spices, and sometimes vinegar.

Is ayam kecap gluten free?

Yes, ayam kecap is typically gluten free. However, it’s important to check the ingredients list to ensure that there are no hidden sources of gluten. Some brands may include wheat or other sources of gluten in their ingredients. If you have a gluten intolerance or allergy, it’s best to double check before consuming ayam kecap.