Balinese Betutu Chicken with Sambal Matah

Are you craving a taste of Indonesia? Look no further! This Balinese Betutu chicken or ayam betutu is a flavorful dish with a slow-cooked, spice-marinated chicken and a refreshing sambal matah condiment. A typical dish from Bali is indeed no doubt delicious!

This aromatic dish features a slow-cooked chicken marinated in a fragrant spice paste, served with a fiery sambal matah and a touch of fried peanuts. The result is a flavorful and aromatic chicken dish with a hint of smokiness. Perfect to serve with steamed rice and sambal matah, a spicy Balinese condiment. Experience the exotic flavors of Bali with Ayam Betutu!

A traditional dish from the Island of the God

Bali is often referred to as the “Island of the Gods.” This nickname reflects its spiritual and cultural significance, as Bali is predominantly Hindu and known for its many temples, rituals, and traditional ceremonies. The island’s natural beauty with its lush landscapes and picturesque beaches, further enhances its reputation as a place of divine beauty and tranquility.

Bali is located in Indonesia, on Bali island. most tourists come to visit Bali but they aren’t fully aware that Bali is Indonesia as well, no wonder because Bali has its magic not only for international tourists but also local tourists like me. I have always been in love with Bali, its people, its beautiful gorgeous view, and its food of course. today we will make one of the famous foods from Bali which is ayam Betutu a.k.a Balinese Betutu chicken complete with their sambal matah.

It is a traditional Balinese dish with deep cultural and culinary roots on the island. The dish is believed to have been developed centuries ago in Bali, where it has become an integral part of local ceremonies, rituals, and festive celebrations.

Ayam betutu is derived from the word ayam which means chicken and betutu is a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck. Ayam or Bebek betutu used to be heavily seasoned and spiced and was one of the iconic dishes of Bali and Lombok Island.

For completing betutu chicken, there is sambal matah. Perfect match for Balinese betutu chicken Sambal matah is a spicy, shallots, chilies, and lemongrass relish from Bali Sambal Matah is hugely popular all over Bali and it translates as raw sambal. It’s similar to the way you would prepare a Mexican salsa. It tastes incredible!

Ingredients of Balinese Betutu Chicken with Sambal Matah

Rajang Spice

• Shallots: These add a pungent and slightly sweet base to the paste.
• Garlic: Garlic provides a sharp and savory note, complementing the shallots.
• Candlenuts: Candlenuts contribute a rich, nutty flavor and help thicken the paste.
• Curly Chilies (optional): These chilies offer a milder heat with a slightly sweet and fruity flavor.
• Red Chilies: Red chilies bring a medium level of heat to the paste. You can adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
• Bird’s Eye Chilies: These tiny chilies pack a serious punch! be careful when you want to add them!
• Turmeric (finger-sized pieces): Turmeric adds a warm, earthy flavor and a beautiful yellow color to the paste.
• Aromatic Ginger and Ginger slices: This type of ginger is known for its stronger, more pungent aroma compared to regular ginger. It adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
• Galangal Sliced: Galangal is similar to ginger but with a more citrusy and peppery flavor. It adds another layer of complexity.
• Lemongrass Sliced: Lemongrass provides a fresh, lemony aroma and a subtle citrusy flavor to the paste.
• Roasted Shrimp Paste: Roasting the shrimp paste mellows its strong fishy flavor and adds a richer, umami depth.
• Coriander Powder: Coriander powder contributes a warm and slightly citrusy aroma to the spice paste.
• Nutmeg: Nutmeg adds a warm, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor with a hint of spice.
• Pepper: Black pepper adds a touch of heat and sharpness to the paste.

Other

• Rooster Chicken: Traditionally, this recipe uses a whole rooster chicken. However, you can substitute it with a regular chicken. but I recommend you use a rooster instead because the meat texture will be different and somehow rooster chicken is more tastier than regular one.
• Lime Leaves: add a fresh, citrusy aroma and a subtle floral flavor to the dish.
• Bay Leaves: Bay leaves contribute a warm, slightly sweet, and peppery aroma to the cooking liquid.
• Palm Sugar: Palm sugar adds a touch of sweetness and balances the other flavors in the dish. You can substitute it with brown sugar.
• Salt: Salt enhances all the other flavors in the dish.
• Mushroom Stock Powder (optional): This ingredient adds a savory umami depth to the cooking liquid.
• Water

Sambal Matah

• Shallot; They are a key ingredient in many Southeast Asian dishes and provide a strong base flavor for the sambal.
• Bird’s Eye Chili; Small, potent chili peppers that are extremely hot. They add the characteristic heat to the sambal
• Lemongrass; A fragrant herb with a lemony flavor. It should be finely sliced or crushed to release its aromatic oils, adding a fresh citrusy note to the sambal.
• Lime Leaves; Also known as kaffir lime leaves, these are highly aromatic and add a distinct lime fragrance and flavor. They should be thinly sliced or finely chopped.
• Shrimp Paste roasted; A fermented condiment made from ground shrimp and salt. Roasting it before use enhances its flavor and reduces its pungency. It adds umami depth to the sambal.
• Salt; Enhances the overall flavor of the sambal.
• Lime; The juice adds acidity and freshness, balancing the heat and other flavors in the sambal.
• MSG; Monosodium glutamate, used to enhance the savory umami flavor of the sambal. It is optional and can be omitted if preferred.
• Hot Cooking Oil; Usually, vegetable oil is heated until very hot and then poured over the chopped ingredients. This process releases the flavors and aromas of the shallots, chilies, lemongrass, and lime leaves, creating a more cohesive sambal. I use coconut oil here.

How to Make Balinese Betutu Chicken with Sambal Matah

Ayam Betutu

Let’s start with Crush the Rajang Spice: Using a mortar and pestle or a food processor, grind together all the ingredients listed under “Rajang Spice” in the original recipe. This includes shallots, garlic, candlenuts, chilies, turmeric, ginger (both aromatic and sliced), galangal, lemongrass, shrimp paste, coriander powder, nutmeg, and pepper. Grinding creates a fragrant spice paste that will infuse the chicken with flavor.

Secondly, Sauté the Rajang Spice: Heat cooking oil over medium heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Once hot, add the rajang spice paste and the remaining lime leaves and bay leaves from the recipe. Sauté the mixture for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant. This step releases the aromas and deepens the flavors of the spice paste.

Then, place the whole chicken into a casserole dish. Carefully pour the hot spice mixture from the skillet over the chicken. Add water, palm sugar, salt, and mushroom stock powder to the casserole dish. Next, bring the liquid to a simmer on the stovetop, then cover the casserole with a lid. Simmer the chicken for 1-1.5 hours, or until cooked through and tender. This simmering process allows the flavorful cooking liquid to penetrate the chicken and infuse it with all the delicious spices.

Sambal Matah

Now, while waiting for the chicken to simmer, let’s make sambal matah first.

First, Prepare the Sambal Matah Ingredients with finely sliced shallots, bird’s eye chilies, lemongrass, and lime leaves.

second, transfer the chopped ingredients to a small bowl. Add salt and lime juice to taste. Here, you can add MSG or omit it and replace it with a little white sugar.

Third, heat a small amount of cooking oil in a separate pan until very hot but not smoking. Carefully pour the hot oil over the sambal matah mixture, stirring it well to combine. The hot oil “cooks” the raw ingredients slightly and releases their flavors.

Finally, Taste the sambal and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You can add more salt, lime juice, or MSG according to your preference.

Enjoy! Serve the cooked ayam betutu with warm rice. Place the sambal matah on the side, along with some fried peanuts for added texture and crunch.

Serve ayam betutu with warm rice, sambal matah, and fried peanuts. Enjoy!

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