Name: Classic Grilled Chicken (Ayam Panggang)
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: Serves 4 to 6
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: 1 fresh chicken (2 lbs/1 kg 2 tablespoons oil; 1 in (2½ cm) fresh turmeric, peeled and sliced, or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric; 2 salam leaves (optional); 2 cups (500 ml) chicken stock or 1 teaspoon chicken stock granules dissolved in 2 cups (500 ml) warm water; 3 stalks lemongrass, thick bottom third only, outer layers discarded inner part bruised; 2 tablespoons shaved palm sugar or dark brown sugar; 5 cloves garlic, peeled; 1 in (2½ cm) fresh galangal, peeled and sliced; 4 shallots, peeled; 3 candlenuts, roughly chopped; ½ in (1 cm) fresh kencur root, peeled and sliced (optional); 1 portion Sambal Kecap; Sweet Indonesian soy sauce (kecap manis), for glazing; 2–3 bird’s eye chilies or finger-length chilies; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2½ cups (675 ml) thin coconut milk; 1 teaspoon salt

Preparation info

Serves
4 to 6

Difficulty
Medium
Ready in
1 hr 40

Appears in

The Food of Indonesia

By Heinz Von Holzen

Published 2015

About

This is one of Indonesia’s most traditional dishes and plays an important role in many ceremonies. It is served on special occasions everywhere throughout the archipelago.

Ingredients

1 fresh chicken (2 lbs/1 kg 2 tablespoons

Method

Prepare the Sambal Kecap by following the recipe.
Clean and cut the chicken into serving pieces and press to flatten.
Make the Spice Paste by grinding all the ingredients to a smooth paste in a mortar or blender, adding a little oil if necessary to keep the mixture turning.
Heat the oil in a wok or lar