Spicy Shredded Chicken with Basil

Try to make spicy Shredded Chicken with basil a.k.a Ayam suwir pedas kemangi. It’s one of Indonesian favorite comfort foods. Shredded chicken pieces are tossed in aromatic spicy stir fry sauce and flavorful complex taste. This is truly addicting and a great make-ahead option! Spice up your kitchen with the vibrant flavors of Indonesia today!

What is Ayam suwir pedas kemangi?

Speaking about the complex flavorful aroma of Indonesian food, you have to put this ayam suwir kemangi also known as ayam sisit Bali in one of your bucket list foods (such as this Beef Rendang recipe).  

The word Ayam suwir kemangi pedas comes from the Indonesian language. Ayam means chicken, suwir or sisit means shredded, pedas means spicy and kemangi means basil. There you have it 😉

Meanwhile, Ayam suwir kemangi a.k.a shredded chicken with basil is a stir-fry dish made with shredded chicken cooked with a lot of aromatics, herbs, and spices including chile peppers, garlic, and shallots. Then, seasoned with sweet and salty sauce and finished with fresh basil. It’s a classic dish in Indonesian cuisine and can be found in restaurants and as a popular street food. It’s spicy, it’s savory, it’s slightly tart, it’s slightly sweet, and it’s umami!

Next, I have one more interesting fact about this shredded chicken is, usually, mothers or parent will pack their children who are “merantau” or study far from home with this ayam suwir as their main dish. Maybe it’s a kinda of kimchi or vacuum-cooked Korean food.

Asian parent is known for their act of service to their children even not often saying I love you words lol. To summarize, I think every parent is still madly in love with their children with many ways to show it.

Back to the recipe, In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps of crafting this Indonesian delight in your kitchen. Are you ready to master this Spicy shredded chicken with basil menu? Then, let’s go!

Ingredients of Spicy Shredded Chicken with Basil

• Chicken breast fillet; first thing first, this is the heart of the dish, the main protein source, is tender and lean. I use boneless and skinless chicken breasts. If you are a vegetarian, try with small diced tofu or egg tofu.
• Basil leaves; Basil leaves are the main core ingredient for this particular dish. It has an exotic taste and aromatic fragrance and is abundant in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals contents. This is the main component that gives this dish an authentic taste. It has a slightly rough texture with a hint of a spicy and sour taste. You can find them at Asian grocery stores. If you can’t find fresh basil leaves, just go with dried basil.
• Water; Water is the liquid used to create the broth.

Aromatics;

These ingredients provide aromatic flavors and form the base of the dish, contributing depth and complexity. they are;

• Garlic; adds a robust and savory flavor to the dish. It contributes depth and a hint of pungency
• Shallot; it has a milder and sweeter flavor compared to onions.
• Onion sliced;  bring a slightly sweet and aromatic quality to the dish. Feel free to omit from the garlic/ shallot/ onion.
• Lime leaves; add a burst of citrusy aroma to the dish.
• Lemongrass; provides a bright, citrusy flavor to the broth.
• Galangal; imparts a unique, slightly spicy, and piney flavor to the broth. It adds complexity and depth, distinguishing ayam suir from dishes that use only ginger.

Spices and Seasonings

• These Spices ingredients add heat, flavor, and a bit of spice to the dish. Also, they contribute to the overall taste and can vary in intensity. For the spices I use Large red Chilies cut into several pieces, Curly red Chilies cut into several pieces, and Cayenne pepper; For those who crave a gentle kick of heat. Cayenne pepper or red eye chili is the main ingredient to make this spicy food. You can add or remove chilies according to your tolerance level for spicy.
• Bay leaf; Bay leaves contribute a subtle, earthy flavor to the broth.
• Seasonings: These ingredients enhance the flavor of the dish by adding saltiness, sweetness, and umami. They help balance and bring out the other flavors. I use Salt, White pepper, Sugar, and Mushroom powder. Feel free to adjust based on your preference.  Add or reduce more seasoning

Steps to Make Spicy Shredded Chicken with Basil

First, Prepare a pot, then boil the chicken until cooked. Then shred the chicken. into bite-sized pieces.ce done,

Next, Let’s make spicy paste. start with a blend of garlic, shallots, curly red chili, large red chili, and cayenne pepper with a touch of oil until you achieve a smooth paste.

In a pan, heat oil. Then, sauté the blended spice mixture, along with galangal, lemongrass, lime leaves, and bay leaves. Cook until the spices release their fragrance and are thoroughly cooked.

Now, add sliced onions to the pan and stir, allowing them to cook and meld their sweetness with the aromatic spices.

Then, add the shredded chicken with the aromatic spice mixture, and stir until well combined.

After that, add the essential seasonings adjusted with your preference—salt, sugar, white pepper, and mushroom powder. Stir the mixture thoroughly to infuse the shredded chicken with a delightful blend of flavors.

Next, toss in fresh basil leaves, stirring until they are well incorporated. The basil will add a final layer of herbal aroma to the dish.

Lastly, pour in a small amount of water to create a flavorful broth. Allow the mixture to simmer until the water is absorbed, and the sauce reduces to your desired consistency.

Ready to Serve

Finally, your Ayam Suir is ready to be served! The shredded chicken has absorbed the aromatic and savory flavors, creating a delightful Indonesian dish. Enjoy it with rice or noodles!

Recipe Notes;

• Use boneless, skinless chicken for an even texture and avoid chewy oily fat from the chicken skin
• Cook your aromatics on a lower heat, you want to be able to release their flavors without burning them
• Finely chop the garlic, instead of mincing it. Minced garlic can burn quickly and become bitter.
• You can serve this with brown rice or jasmine rice, noodles, or plain bread.
• This recipe calls for spicy food, however, you can adjust your heat level by omitting the cayenne pepper.

Recook this recipe

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