Baked Semur Chicken with Indonesian Spices
A tender baked chicken dish infused with warm Indonesian-style semur spices, reflecting Australia's multicultural palate. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on, medium shallots, thinly sliced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 4 medium shallots, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg, ground
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 1/4 cup sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced shallots and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg and 1 cinnamon stick to the skillet, stirring for 1 minute to release the spices' aroma.
- Step 3: Place 6 chicken thighs, skin side down, in the skillet and brown for 5 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
- Step 4: Flip the chicken thighs and add 1/4 cup sweet soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 cup water. Stir gently to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
- Step 6: Remove the cinnamon stick, spoon sauce over the chicken, and garnish with 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Semur Chicken with Indonesian Spices take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Semur Chicken with Indonesian Spices?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep garlic cloves, minced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Semur Chicken with Indonesian Spices?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Semur Chicken with Indonesian Spices for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Semur Chicken with Indonesian Spices?
Australian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
