Ayam Bakar Taliwang (Grilled Chicken) with Spicy Sambal

Ayam Bakar Taliwang is a spicy grilled chicken dish originating from Lombok, Indonesia. The chicken is marinated in a blend of rich spices, grilled until smoky and tender, and served with a fiery sambal.

Prep Time

20 minutes

Total Time

1 hour 5 minutes

Calories

650

Level

Medium

Yields

4 servings

Cost

£4.45

Season:

🌍 Year-round

Meal Type:

Lunch•Dinner

Cuisine:

Main Ingredient:

Cooking Style:

Mood:

Ingredients

Servings

1wholeChicken(About 2-3 lbs, cut into serving pieces (legs, thighs, breasts))

£6.50

8Shallots(Peeled)

£1.20

6clovesGarlic(Peeled)

£0.30

8Red Chilies(Adjust to your spice preference. Use a mix of large red chilies and bird's eye chilies.)

£1.50

4Candlenuts(Also known as Kemiri. If unavailable, substitute with macadamia nuts.)

£2.00

1tspShrimp Paste (Terasi/Belacan)(Grilled or toasted slightly to enhance flavor)

£0.25

2cmTurmeric(Fresh turmeric, peeled. Or 1 tsp turmeric powder.)

£0.30

2cmGalangal(Fresh galangal, peeled. Or 1 tsp galangal powder.)

£0.50

1tbspPalm Sugar(Or brown sugar)

£0.40

2tbspLime Juice(Freshly squeezed)

£0.20

0.5cupCoconut Milk

£0.60

1tspSalt(Or to taste)

£0.05

2tbspCooking Oil(For grilling)

£0.10

For the Sambal:

8Red Chilies(Adjust to your spice preference. Use a mix of large red chilies and bird's eye chilies.)

£1.50

4Shallots(Peeled)

£1.20

2clovesGarlic(Peeled)

£0.30

0.5tspShrimp Paste (Terasi/Belacan)(Grilled or toasted slightly to enhance flavor)

£0.25

1tbspLime Juice(Freshly squeezed)

£0.20

0.3tspSalt(Or to taste)

£0.05

0.3tspSugar(To balance the flavors)

£0.40

Total Cost

£17.80

£4.45 per serving

The Method

1
**Prepare the Marinade:** In a blender or food processor, combine shallots, garlic, red chilies, candlenuts, shrimp paste, turmeric, galangal, palm sugar, lime juice, coconut milk, and salt. Blend until smooth into a paste.
2
**Marinate the Chicken:** Rub the spice paste all over the chicken pieces, ensuring they are well coated. Place the chicken in a bowl or ziplock bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
3
**Prepare the Grill:** Preheat your grill to medium heat. If using charcoal, make sure the coals are evenly distributed and have a white-gray ash.
4
**Grill the Chicken:** Lightly oil the grill grates. Place the marinated chicken pieces on the grill and cook for about 15-20 minutes per side, or until cooked through and the skin is nicely charred. Baste the chicken with any remaining marinade during the grilling process to keep it moist and flavorful. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.
5
**Prepare the Sambal:** While the chicken is grilling, prepare the sambal. In a blender or food processor, combine red chilies, shallots, garlic, and shrimp paste. Blend until coarsely ground. Add lime juice, salt, and sugar. Pulse to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
6
**Serve:** Serve the grilled chicken hot, with a generous spoonful of the spicy sambal on the side. Enjoy with white rice, fresh vegetables, or other Indonesian side dishes.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (250g)

650 kcal / 2720 kJ

Carbs

15g

6% of RDA

Fat

40g

57% of RDA

Protein

60g

120% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

3 g

10% of RDA

Sugar

8 g

9% of RDA

Sodium

700 mg

30% of RDA

Saturated Fat

15 g

75% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For a smokier flavor, consider using wood chips (like hickory or applewood) in a smoker box on your grill.

If you don't have a grill, you can bake the chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 30-40 minutes, or until cooked through. Broil for the last few minutes to get the skin crispy.

Adjust the amount of chili peppers in both the marinade and the sambal to your desired spice level. Start with a smaller amount and add more as needed.

To prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill, make sure the grates are clean and well-oiled. You can also use a grilling basket or aluminum foil.

If you are short on time, you can marinate the chicken for as little as 30 minutes, but the longer it marinates, the more flavorful it will be.

Cooking Equipment

Grill

Blender/Food Processor

Mixing Bowl

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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Chef's Tips

For a smokier flavor, consider using wood chips (like hickory or applewood) in a smoker box on your grill.

If you don't have a grill, you can bake the chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 30-40 minutes, or until cooked through. Broil for the last few minutes to get the skin crispy.

Adjust the amount of chili peppers in both the marinade and the sambal to your desired spice level. Start with a smaller amount and add more as needed.

To prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill, make sure the grates are clean and well-oiled. You can also use a grilling basket or aluminum foil.

If you are short on time, you can marinate the chicken for as little as 30 minutes, but the longer it marinates, the more flavorful it will be.

Ayam Bakar Taliwang (Grilled Chicken) with Spicy Sambal

Ingredients

The Method