5 Best Chicken Dishes in Indonesia According to Taste Atlas

Illustration of typical Indonesian chicken dishes (Tasteatlas)

JAKARTA - Chicken dishes are one of the foods that are loved by many people, from children to adults. This dish is also widely loved because it tastes delicious and nutritious.

In September 2024, Taste Atlas released a list of the 50 best dishes in Indonesia. There are several of the best chicken dishes on the list. Here are the 5 best chicken dishes, as reported by tasteatlas.com.

1. Fried Chicken

Basically, fried chicken in Indonesia consists of chicken pieces, starting from the breast, upper thigh, lower thigh, to the wings. How to make it, raw chicken is marinated in spices. Then boiled briefly before being fried until golden and crispy.

The seasoning is usually based on spices such as lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and tamarind, but because this dish is enjoyed throughout the country. This dish is available in various regional variations that may include other spices and herbs, or various additions such as grated coconut or rice flour.

All types of fried chicken can be enjoyed as a separate dish, usually accompanied by rice and fresh vegetables or salad. Fried chicken is also a common side dish at Indonesian-style banquets.

2. Squeezed Chicken (Ayam Penyet)

This Indonesian dish consists of fried chicken pieces served with sambal and chili. The word penyet in the name of this dish means to press or push, referring to the method of pressing the chicken with a pestle and mortar to make the meat more tender.

Some people tenderize the chicken after frying, while also coating it with sambal. This dish is served with additional sambal on the side, usually accompanied by fresh vegetables, tempeh, tofu, and rice. Although originating from East Java, ayam penyet is found throughout the country and is popular in Singapore.

3. Chicken Opor (Opor Ayam)

Indonesian chicken opor is made from a mixture of coconut milk and various spices such as lemongrass, tamarind, cinnamon, galangal, palm sugar, coriander, garlic, and shallots. This dish is usually made with boneless meat pieces such as thighs, lower legs, or sometimes whole chicken cut into pieces.

This dish is usually associated with Java and is included in the group of opor dishes that use the technique of boiling coconut milk. Chicken opor is usually enjoyed on Eid al-Fitr or Lebaran. Chicken opor is usually served with rice, boiled eggs, or ketupat.

4. Indonesian Chicken Curry (Gulai Ayam)

Gulai ayam is a curry-like Indonesian dish made from chicken. Gulai ayam consists of pieces of chicken simmered in a spicy sauce made from coconut milk and a variety of spices including chili, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and nutmeg, as well as shallots, garlic, and candlenuts.

The dish first appeared in Padang, West Sumatra, but is now enjoyed throughout the country. Gulai ayam is usually served with steamed rice on the side

5. Grilled Chicken (Ayam Bakar)

Ayam bakar is a chicken dish that originates from Indonesia, but is also popular in Malaysia. To prepare ayam bakar, the meat is first boiled in a pan with herbs or spices. Then, the sauce is reduced to a paste that is smeared onto the chicken pieces before being grilled.

The meat is grilled until the skin turns dark, but not burnt. Once cooked, the chicken is served with white rice, chili paste, sliced ​​tomatoes and cucumbers and a splash of sweet soy sauce.