Bring a twist to the usual fried chicken and treat your taste buds with Ayam Goreng Lengkuas. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this Indonesian galangal fried chicken will leave you wanting more!

Ayam Goreng Lengkuas is an Indonesian delight that has become everyone’s fav in my family, and it deserves this love!

With a punch of lemongrass, shallots, and the mysterious galangal, it combines aromatic flavors of spices with the allure of crispy, fried chicken to give a satisfying crunch with every bite.

Plus, the cooking style differs from American fried chicken, giving you a unique taste. The chicken is marinated by simmering it with spices and then fried.

Wanna try it? I will share Ayam Goreng Lengkuas recipe with you so you can make it at home perfectly.

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Why You Need to Try Ayam Goreng Lengkuas

This dish combines a burst of aromatic flavor to your plate – galangal, lemongrass, garlic, and shallots for an enjoyable dining experience.
If you’re tired of the same old spices, galangal adds an exotic twist to your fried chicken.
The crispy, golden-brown chicken – who can resist it?
Ingredients are simple and easily available in your kitchen
Makes a delicious meal for dinner or lunch.

Ayam Goreng Ingredients

Chicken drumsticks. 12 pieces
Galangal (Lengkuas). Galangal is the ingredient that makes Ayam Goreng Lengkuas unique from regular fried chicken
Lemongrass. Adds a citrusy, aromatic flavor
Shallots. It brings a sweet and mild onion taste
Garlic, Ginger, White Pepper, and Coriander Powder for enhanced flavor
Turmeric Powder for a warm, golden color
Salt and Sugar to taste (you can skip sugar if you don’t want sweet notes)
Bay leaves and Lime Kaffir leaves. You can use Salam leaves instead of Bay leaves
Oil for deep frying.

How to Cook Ayam Goreng Lengkuas

Saute shallots, garlic, galangal, turmeric, lemongrass, bay leaves, and brown sugar until fragrant.
Add the chicken and let it cook until it changes color.
Pour in the water, tamarind juice, and remaining seasonings. Cover the pot with a lid and let the chicken simmer for about 15 minutes. Then flip the chicken so that all sides get flavored, and cover it with the lid. Let it simmer until most of the water disappears and the chicken is soft – about ten more minutes.
Turn off the heat and set aside.
Take another pot and heat enough cooking oil for deep fry. Once the oil is hot, lay in marinated chicken pieces and fry until golden brown. Flip the chicken halfway through for an even texture. (You can also cook in the air fryer for about 15-20 minutes at 350° F)
Once the chicken is fried, let it chill on a cooling rack to remove excess oil. And you’re done!
Serve with warm rice. Enjoy!

Air fryer crispy chicken

You can cook ayam lengkuas in an air fryer, and they still taste good but are not greasy. Cook for 15-20 minutes at 350° F or until they turn brown and are completely cooked.

What to serve with crispy galangal chicken

This crispy chicken is probably one of my favorites because it is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Here are some recipes to pair with this chicken:

Coconut rice. Fragrant nasi lemak for a delicious taste of Indonesia
Garlic fried ric e. A simple but flavorful dish that you’ll want to make every day
Plecing kangkung. Add this salad to add some color and deliciousness
Sambal te rasi. A perfect addition for spicy food lovers!

Storing

This crispy chicken can be prepared in advance and kept in a refrigerator for a few days after the simmering process. I recommend deep-frying the whole (drained) spices/grated galangal and keeping it in an airtight container when ready to eat.