One-Pan Semur Chicken with Warm Australian Spices

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs simmered in a richly spiced Indonesian-inspired semur sauce, perfect for a comforting Aussie weeknight meal. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs vegetable oil, large, thinly sliced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Australian cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook 4 minutes more. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger. Sauté for 4 minutes until fragrant and onions are soft.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/3 cup sweet soy sauce, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp ground cloves. Mix well.
  4. Step 4: Return the chicken thighs to the pan, add 1 cup water and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 25 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Season with 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, discard bay leaves, and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped spring onions on top before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Semur Chicken with Warm Australian Spices take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 One-Pan Semur Chicken with Warm Australian 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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Semur Chicken with Warm Australian 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 One-Pan Semur Chicken with Warm Australian 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 One-Pan Semur Chicken with Warm Australian 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.

Related recipes