Semur-Style Australian Chicken Stew with Cinnamon and Cloves
A rich, aromatic chicken stew inspired by Indonesian Semur, infused with warm cinnamon and cloves for comforting Australian fusion flavor. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs bone-in, skin removed chicken thighs, vegetable oil, large, sliced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 bone-in, skin removed chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large, sliced onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 sliced for garnish green onions
- to serve steamed jasmine rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 6 chicken thighs skin removed and brown for 4 minutes per side until golden, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large sliced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced ginger. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Return chicken to the pot and add 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 whole cinnamon stick, and 4 whole cloves. Stir to coat the chicken in the spices.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 cups water and season with 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low for 40 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Step 5: Remove cinnamon stick and cloves before serving. Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and serve hot with steamed jasmine rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Semur-Style Australian Chicken Stew with Cinnamon 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 Semur-Style Australian Chicken Stew with Cinnamon 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 Semur-Style Australian Chicken Stew with Cinnamon 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 Semur-Style Australian Chicken Stew with Cinnamon 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 Semur-Style Australian Chicken Stew with Cinnamon 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.
