One-Pot Semur Chicken with Star Anise and Cloves

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Australian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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.

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