One-Pot Semur Chicken with Star Anise and Cloves
A slow-simmered Indonesian-Australian fusion stew of tender chicken braised in a sweet-spiced soy sauce with star anise and cloves. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs (about 900g) bone-in chicken thighs, vegetable oil, thinly sliced shallots 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 (about 900g) bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 thinly sliced shallots
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 100ml dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
- 300ml water
- 3 whole star anise
- 4 whole cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
- to serve cooked jasmine rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs and brown for 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 4 thinly sliced shallots, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced ginger. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and soft.
- Step 3: Return chicken to the pot and pour in 100ml dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp palm or brown sugar, and 300ml water. Add 3 star anise, 4 whole cloves, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp ground white pepper.
- Step 4: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 45 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce is thickened. Serve hot over cooked jasmine rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Semur Chicken with Star Anise and Cloves take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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-Pot Semur Chicken with Star Anise and Cloves?
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-Pot Semur Chicken with Star Anise and Cloves?
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-Pot Semur Chicken with Star Anise and Cloves 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-Pot Semur Chicken with Star Anise and Cloves?
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.
