Editorial sample recipeIndonesianintermediatehalaldairy-freegluten-free

Ayam Woku Manado (Spicy Lemongrass And Basil Braised Chicken)

Name: Ayam Woku Manado (Spicy Lemongrass And Basil Braised Chicken)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: 800 g chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 3 stalks lemongrass, white parts only, bruised; 5 pcs kaffir lime leaves, torn; 5 pcs shallots, peeled for spice paste; 4 cloves garlic, peeled for spice paste; 3 pcs red chilies, chopped for spice paste; 1 tsp turmeric powder; 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, packed; 1 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed

A fragrant, spicy chicken braise from North Sulawesi featuring vibrant turmeric, bruised lemongrass, and fresh Thai basil leaves.

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 25 min
Total: 40 min

AI-generated illustration of Ayam Woku Manado (Spicy Lemongrass And Basil Braised Chicken)

AI illustration

Technique to learn

Tumis Sambal (Aromatic Paste Sweating)

Sautéing freshly ground aromatic spice pastes in oil until moisture evaporates and fragrant oils release.

Instructions

Step 1: Blend the shallots, garlic, red chilies, and turmeric powder with 1 tablespoon of water into a coarse spice paste.
Step 2: Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the blended spice paste, bruised lemongrass, and torn kaffir lime leaves.

Step 3: Sauté the aromatic paste for 4 to 5 minutes until the oil separates and the raw fragrance turns sweet and fragrant.

Step 4: Add the chicken thigh pieces to the skillet and stir well to coat every piece in the cooked spice mixture.

Step 5: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let the chicken cook in its own juices for 15 minutes until fully cooked through.

Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in the fresh Thai basil leaves and lime juice until the basil wilts, then serve hot with warm rice.

Cooking tips

Tearing the kaffir lime leaves releases their natural citrus oils much faster than slicing them.
Adjust the number of chilies based on your heat tolerance.
Original home-cooking adaptation inspired by Indonesian; regional versions vary.
Use halal-certified meat, poultry, stock, sauces, cheese and other processed ingredients. Check labels and avoid cross-contamination. Recipe screening is not halal certification.

Sign in to save this recipe, plan it, and log it when you cook it.

Sign in