Ayam Rica Rica: The Fiery Chicken Dish You Can’t Resist

Ayam rica rica is a traditional Indonesian dish that originates from the city of Manado in North Sulawesi. "Ayam" means chicken in Indonesian, while "rica rica" refers to the spicy chili-based sauce that is the hallmark of the dish.

Yields1 Serving

Chicken Marination
 1 kg Chicken, Curry Cut Pieces
 Salt, To Taste
 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
Rica Rica Paste
 6 Shallots, Sliced
 5 Spur Chillies
 7 Red Bird's Eye Chillies
 1 inch Ginger, Roughly Chopped
 1 inch Galangal, Roughly Chopped
 4 Garlic Cloves
 2-3 Candlenuts
 ½ cup Water
Fry Chicken
 Oil, For Frying
Rica Rica Curry Preparation
 4 tbsp Oil
 1 Lemongrass, Bruised & Cut into pieces
 6 Kaffir Lime Leaves
 2 Fresh Bay Leaves
 1.50 cups Water
 Salt, To Taste
 1 tsp Sugar
 3 Stems Spring Onions, Chopped
 1 Bunch Basil Leaves

1

To marinate the chicken, mix chicken, salt, and turmeric powder in a bowl and let it sit for at least 20 minutes.

2

Prepare the rica rica paste by grinding shallots, spur chillies, red bird's eye chillies, ginger, galangal, garlic cloves, candlenuts, and water to form a coarse paste.

3

Fry the marinated chicken in oil until it turns golden brown, then set it aside.

4

For the curry preparation, add oil and rica rica paste to a pan and mix them together.

5

Add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and fresh bay leaves to the pan. Mix everything together and cook until it becomes fragrant and the moisture content reduces.

6

Mix in water and bring it to a boil.

7

Add salt and sugar to the mixture and mix well.

8

Combine the fried chicken pieces with the paste.

9

Cover the pan and cook everything for 20 minutes.

10

Add spring onions and basil leaves to the mixture and give it one final mix.

11

Serve the curry with steamed rice.

Ingredients

Chicken Marination
 1 kg Chicken, Curry Cut Pieces
 Salt, To Taste
 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
Rica Rica Paste
 6 Shallots, Sliced
 5 Spur Chillies
 7 Red Bird's Eye Chillies
 1 inch Ginger, Roughly Chopped
 1 inch Galangal, Roughly Chopped
 4 Garlic Cloves
 2-3 Candlenuts
 ½ cup Water
Fry Chicken
 Oil, For Frying
Rica Rica Curry Preparation
 4 tbsp Oil
 1 Lemongrass, Bruised & Cut into pieces
 6 Kaffir Lime Leaves
 2 Fresh Bay Leaves
 1.50 cups Water
 Salt, To Taste
 1 tsp Sugar
 3 Stems Spring Onions, Chopped
 1 Bunch Basil Leaves

Directions

1

To marinate the chicken, mix chicken, salt, and turmeric powder in a bowl and let it sit for at least 20 minutes.

2

Prepare the rica rica paste by grinding shallots, spur chillies, red bird's eye chillies, ginger, galangal, garlic cloves, candlenuts, and water to form a coarse paste.

3

Fry the marinated chicken in oil until it turns golden brown, then set it aside.

4

For the curry preparation, add oil and rica rica paste to a pan and mix them together.

5

Add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and fresh bay leaves to the pan. Mix everything together and cook until it becomes fragrant and the moisture content reduces.

6

Mix in water and bring it to a boil.

7

Add salt and sugar to the mixture and mix well.

8

Combine the fried chicken pieces with the paste.

9

Cover the pan and cook everything for 20 minutes.

10

Add spring onions and basil leaves to the mixture and give it one final mix.

11

Serve the curry with steamed rice.

Notes

Ayam Rica Rica

In addition to the chicken and sauce, ayam rica rica is often served with a side of steamed rice and fresh vegetables like cucumber and tomato. The dish is popular not only in Indonesia but also in other Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia and Singapore.

Overall, ayam rica rica is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for those who love spicy food.

FAQs

Q. What is Ayam Rica Rica?
A: Ayam Rica Rica is a chicken dish that is cooked in a spicy chili-based sauce called rica rica. It is a popular dish that originates from the city of Manado in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Q. What are the main ingredients in Ayam Rica Rica?
A: The main ingredients in Ayam Rica Rica are chicken, red chilies, shallots, garlic, ginger, galangal, candlenuts, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves, salt, sugar, and water.

Q. Is Ayam Rica Rica spicy?
A: Yes, Ayam Rica Rica is a spicy dish as it is made with a blend of red chilies and other aromatic spices. However, the level of spiciness can be adjusted to taste by adding more or less chili.

Q. What can I serve with Ayam Rica Rica?
A: Ayam Rica Rica is typically served with steamed rice and fresh vegetables like cucumber and tomato. Some people also like to serve it with sambal or additional chili sauce on the side.


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