Ayam Goreng Kalasan (Javanese Fried Chicken) is different from other fried chicken because the chicken is braised in coconut milk and spices, then deep-fried or grilled. It’s so easy to make and you can get it done in an Instant Pot or Air Fryer. Serve this ayam goreng kalasan with a side of fresh vegetables (lalapan).
It’s still February and all I want is sunshine and lots of it! Ugh, Oh well, I guess the good news is that it’s still very much soup weather, but is anyone else feeling the need for a little summertime comfort food or what? Uhm, yes…but what is ayam goreng kalasan or Javanese fried chicken?
The origin
I’m fortunate to learn many kinds of fried chicken my whole life. Ayam kremes (fried chicken with crispy flakes), ayam bumbu Bali (chicken with Balinese flavor), rendang ayam (which you can try using this recipe), ayam taliwang, and so much more. One thing you should know when you travel to Indonesia, each dish usually has its own chili/hot sauce. That’s how much we enjoy spicy food, but not this ayam kalasan recipe.
Ayam kalasan is a type of fried chicken from Kalasan in Jogyakarta, Indonesia. Hence, it is known as Javanese fried chicken since Jogjakarta is in Central Java.
Kalasan is well-known for its delicious fried chicken and its ancient temples, including the Sari Temple and the Kalasan Temple. But more about the chicken.
Ayam Goreng Kalasan or Kalasan Fried Chicken is a traditional Indonesian dish and has a significant difference from other fried chicken you have tried. First, the chicken is braised in spices and coconut water, then grilled or deep-fried.
The ingredients of ayam kalasan
Like most Indonesian recipes, we use spices to make each dish flavorful.
- Chicken. You can use either one whole chicken or chicken piece. I use dark meat in this recipe
- Coconut water. One of the main ingredients
- Garlic, shallot, coriander powder, galangal powder, lemongrass, bay leaf
- Sweet soy sauce
4 Ways to cook ayam kalasan
Ayam kalasan has such a great taste because it is cooked first with coconut water, giving it a sweet taste. The recipe is cooked in Indonesia with local, free-range chickens, which are cooked whole to maintain tenderness.
There are 4 ways to cook ayam kalasan:
Deep-fried in oil
Blend the spices in a food processor until it forms a smooth paste. Cook the chicken with the rest of the ingredients on a stovetop until all the liquid is absorbed or has evaporated. Then, deep fry the chickens in oil.
The residual liquid that might stay with the chicken will splatter the oil during frying. So, I always use a splatter screen to reduce the splattering. You can try to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before frying, although I prefer not to d it.
Air Fryer
Blend the spices in a food processor until it forms a smooth paste. Cook the chicken with the rest of the ingredients on a stovetop until all the liquid is absorbed or has evaporated. Then, fry in an air fryer.
Instant Pot
Blend the spices in a food processor until it forms a smooth paste. Cook the chicken with the rest of the ingredients in an Instant Pot.
Turn off saute mode. Close the lid. Turn the steam release valve to seal. Cook in high pressure for 12 minutes. When the timer is up, release pressure immediately; then either fry or grill the chicken.
Grill (indoor/outdoor)
Blend the spices in a food processor until it forms a smooth paste. Cook the chicken with the rest of the ingredients on a stovetop until all the liquid is absorbed or has evaporated. Then, grill the chicken. You can also grill the chicken using charcoals.
Kitchen tips to cook ayam kalasan
- If you plan on cooking with chicken pieces, try having them in equal size so they can cook well.
- Use a bigger pot for cooking the chicken so it can handle the chicken and liquid.
- Cook with a small flame until all the liquid is absorbed or has evaporated; then leave the chicken in the fridge overnight for a better result.
Ayam Goreng Kalasan (Javanese Fried Chicken)
Ingredients
- 2 lb of chicken breasts/thighs
- 1 stalk lemongrass smashed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1- liter coconut water
- 3 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil + more for frying
Processed paste:
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- 2 tablespoons galangal powder
- 7 shallots
- 5 cloves garlic
Instructions
Deep-fried Chicken
- In a food processor, blend the processed paste until smooth.
- Add oil to a large pot. Add the paste and lemongrass until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add chicken and the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat. Let it simmer until the chicken pieces are cooked through and the meat is tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Heat oil in a wok and fry the chicken until golden brown.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- In a food processor, blend the processed paste until smooth.
- Add oil to a large pot. Add the paste and lemongrass until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add chicken and the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat. Let it simmer until the chicken pieces are cooked through and the meat is tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Place chicken in an air fryer. Cook for 10 minutes at 350F, flip, and cook for another 5-8 minutes at 350F.
Grilled Chicken
- In a food processor, blend the processed paste until smooth.
- Add oil to a large pot. Add the paste and lemongrass until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add chicken and the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat. Let it simmer until the chicken pieces are cooked through and the meat is tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Grill the chicken undisturbed according to the manufacturer’s instruction.
Instant Pot
- In a food processor, blend the processed paste until smooth.
- Saute the paste and lemongrass in an Instant Pot until fragrant.
- Add chicken and the rest of the ingredients.
- Turn off saute mode. Close the lid.
- Turn the steam release valve to seal. Cook in high pressure for 12 minutes. When the timer is up, release pressure immediately; then either fry or grill the chicken.
This Javense chicken looks delicious perfect for any day.
Is it too early to plan what I want to make on Friday night? Because this flavor combination looks so amazing.
I’m happy to have another great chicken recipe for my air fryer! THanks!!
Looks like a delicious chicken recipe.
These flavors are some of my favorites. Can’t wait to try this asap!
We’ve made this ayam goreng kalasan and it was so delicious. Certainly going to prepare it more often. You can wake me anytime for this recipe.
This looks so good. Thank you for included the different cooking methods!
I’m always looking for new ways to make chicken, and this looks like just the thing I want to try! I love lemongrass, so I can’t wait to make it!
What an interesting recipe. I never tried anything like this before. I love the ingredients and the chicken looks really delicious. Can’t wait to try this!
This is so tasty and I’m so glad I found it. I love the flavor the coconut milk gives it.
This looks amazing and I love the options. I need to try some more recipes with my air fryer, so this one is on the list!
I have been CRAVING fried chicken! This looks amazing!
I love that you can make this in the air fryer!
I can’t wait to try these in my air fryer!
This is a great chicken recipe, will be making this over the weekend 🙂
The flavours in this sound unreal! Can’t wait to try it!
Oh yum! I love ayam goreng of all kinds! Loving this Javanese version.
This Javanese chicken looks and sounds delicious. I have never tasted coconut braised chicken before but it sounds like a delicious idea.
I loved all the step by step information that made it so easy to follow!
I couldn’t find galangal powder so I just grated some fresh galangal instead. My family raved about how good it was so this will definitely be a repeat recipe for us.
Hmmm a delicious fried chicken recipe the whole family will enjoy!
Omg I love this! The lemongrass really pops and that is literally my favorite flavor ever. Will definitely make again!
I so appreciate learning a new method to prepare chicken! The combined spices made such an amazing flavor.
We love chicken so much, and I will definitely make this recipe for tonight’s dinner. Yum!
What a great recipe for chicken! The flavors in this are so unique and it really came together perfectly. Love how it cameo out.
What an amazingly flavorful chicken dish! My family raved about the chicken!!
This is such a unique way to make chicken and the flavours are incredible. I used drumsticks, cooked them on the stove top and then fried them! Will definitely be making this again soon!
Wonderful javanese fried chicken recipe! I love that this can be made on the grill or air fryer!
Growing up, my friend’s mom would make this for us! This chicken recipe brings back so many memories!
Love all of the fresh flavors in this dish. It’s so easy to throw together on a weeknight.