ayam bakar recipe.

 

🍗 Ayam Bakar Recipe (Indonesian Grilled Chicken)

Ayam Bakar is a delicious Indonesian grilled chicken marinated in spices and caramelized with sweet soy sauce. Juicy, smoky, and full of bold flavors — perfect with rice, sambal, and fresh vegetables.

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⭐ Why You’ll Love This Ayam Bakar

• Authentic Indonesian flavors
• Sweet, smoky, and savory
• Easy to prepare at home
• Perfect for lunch, dinner, or BBQ
• Pairs well with sambal and rice

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🧄 Ingredients for Ayam Bakar

For the Chicken

• 1 whole chicken (cut into pieces) or 1 kg chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• ½ tsp salt

For the Spice Paste (Bumbu)

• 5 cloves garlic
• 5 shallots
• 3–5 red chilies
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• 1 lemongrass stalk (crushed)
• 3 kaffir lime leaves
• 250 ml coconut milk

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🔥 How to Make Ayam Bakar (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Prepare the chicken

Rub chicken pieces with lime juice and salt. Set aside for 10 minutes to remove odors.

Step 2: Make the spice paste

Blend garlic, shallots, chilies, coriander, turmeric, salt, and brown sugar into a smooth paste.

Step 3: Cook the chicken with spices

Heat oil in a pan.
Sauté the spice paste until fragrant.
Add:

• Sweet soy sauce
• Lemongrass
• Kaffir lime leaves
• Coconut milk

Add the chicken and simmer for 20–25 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 4: Grill the chicken

Grill over charcoal or a grill pan until slightly charred and caramelized.
Brush remaining sauce over the chicken as it grills.

Step 5: Serve

Serve hot with steamed rice, sambal, cucumber, and fried shallots.

💡 Pro Tips

• Marinate overnight for the deepest flavor and the juiciest chicken.
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for the most authentic taste and extra moisture during grilling.
• Simmer the chicken before grilling if following the traditional Indonesian method—this helps the meat absorb the spices and become incredibly tender.
• Grill over medium heat to prevent the marinade from burning while allowing the chicken to cook evenly.
• Baste frequently with the reserved marinade or glaze during the final minutes of grilling for a glossy, caramelized finish.
• Turn the chicken every few minutes to achieve even cooking and beautiful grill marks.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy.
• Serve with sambal, steamed rice, and fresh cucumber slices for an authentic Indonesian meal.
• Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving to brighten the smoky, savory flavors. 🍗🔥🇮🇩

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🍽 Serving Suggestions

Ayam Bakar pairs perfectly with:

• Steamed jasmine rice
• Sambal terasi
• Indonesian cucumber salad
• Fried shallots
• Grilled vegetables

🌟 Variations

🌶️ Spicy Ayam Bakar

Add extra bird's eye chilies or sambal to the marinade for a fiery kick that's perfect for spice lovers.

🍯 Sweet Honey Ayam Bakar

Brush the chicken with a mixture of honey and sweet soy sauce during the last few minutes of grilling for a delicious caramelized glaze.

🥥 Coconut Ayam Bakar

Marinate the chicken with a little coconut milk for an extra creamy texture and rich, tropical flavor.

🍋 Citrus Herb Ayam Bakar

Add fresh lime juice, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves to the marinade for a bright, refreshing twist.

🍗 Boneless Ayam Bakar

Use boneless chicken thighs or breasts for faster cooking while still enjoying the same authentic Indonesian flavors.

🌿 Herb-Grilled Ayam Bakar

Mix fresh cilantro, basil, and green onions into the marinade for an aromatic herb-infused version.

🔥 Oven-Baked Ayam Bakar

Bake the marinated chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 35–40 minutes, then broil for 3–5 minutes to achieve a beautifully charred finish.

🥜 Peanut Ayam Bakar

Serve the grilled chicken with a rich homemade peanut sauce for a delicious variation inspired by Indonesian satay. 🍗🔥🇮🇩

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❄ How to Store

• Refrigerate cooked chicken for 3–4 days
• Freeze up to 1 month
• Reheat in an air fryer, oven, or grill

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❓ FAQs About Ayam Bakar

What makes Ayam Bakar unique?

Its combination of sweet soy sauce, coconut milk, and aromatic spices makes it rich and smoky.

Can I bake instead of grill?

Yes. Bake at 200°C for 25–30 minutes, then broil for 3–5 minutes to char.

Is Ayam Bakar spicy?

It can be mild or spicy depending on the number of chilies used.

Can I use boneless chicken?

Yes, but bone-in chicken gives better flavor.

🥗 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Serving Size: 1 grilled chicken leg quarter with sauce (about 250 g)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	390 kcal
Total Fat	22 g
Saturated Fat	6 g
Cholesterol	125 mg
Sodium	760 mg
Total Carbohydrates	10 g
Dietary Fiber	1 g
Total Sugars	7 g
Protein	38 g
Calcium	35 mg
Iron	2.1 mg
Potassium	520 mg

Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the cut of chicken, marinade ingredients, amount of sweet soy sauce, and cooking method used. 🍗🔥🇮🇩

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🔗 Similar Recipes

• Ayam Goreng
• Sambal Terasi
• Indonesian Satay Ayam
• Nasi Goreng
• Mie Goreng

💭 Final Thoughts

This Authentic Ayam Bakar Recipe is a flavorful Indonesian grilled chicken dish that's sure to become a favorite at your dinner table. Marinated in a fragrant blend of spices and herbs, then grilled until perfectly tender with a delicious smoky char, this recipe delivers the authentic taste of Indonesia in every bite.

Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue, a weeknight family dinner, or exploring the vibrant flavors of Indonesian cuisine, this homemade Ayam Bakar is easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying. Serve it with steamed rice, sambal, fresh vegetables, or pickled cucumbers for a complete and authentic meal.

Once you try this traditional Indonesian grilled chicken recipe, you'll understand why Ayam Bakar is one of Indonesia's most popular and beloved dishes.