Oven-Baked Ayam Penyet Recipe: A Fast And Healthier Alternative To Fried Chicken

A healthy and quick dinner perfect for weeknights

Ayam penyet is a fried chicken dish that originated from East Java in Indonesia, where “ayam” means “chicken” and “penyet” means “flattened” or “pressed”.

Even though it looks complicated to make, this recipe only involves simple instructions and it’s a healthier alternative to fried chicken. It produces a mild to medium level of spiciness, and feel free to adjust the amount of chillies used to your preference. Tender and flavourful chicken with a side of fragrant sambal, this one-pan dish is a tasty and wholesome dinner for the fam.

Ingredients (makes 4 servings)

Marinade

• 1 large yellow onion
• 1 bulb garlic
• 50g ginger
• 1 stalk lemongrass
• 50ml water
• 2 tsp turmeric powder
• A pinch of salt

Chicken

• 1/2 chicken

Sambal

• 8 large red chillies
• 1 tomato
• 1 medium red onion
• 1 bulb garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Equipment

• Food processor
• Large frying pan
• Oven

Instructions

Chicken

1. Blend marinade ingredients (except turmeric powder and salt) in food processor until smooth.
2. Add in turmeric powder and salt, and pulse quickly until colour is evenly distributed.
3. Marinade chicken, set aside for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Set oven to 180 degree Celsius.
5. Roast chicken for 25 to 35 minutes.

Sambal

1. Blend sambal ingredients until smooth.
2. Add olive oil into a saucepan and pour sambal mix into it over low fire.
3. Stir until mixture is dry.

To serve

1. Serve hot with rice.