Semur-Style Braised Chicken with Indonesian Spices

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

Tender chicken slowly braised in a rich Indonesian-inspired soy and spice sauce, infused with cinnamon and nutmeg flavors. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs (about 900 g) bone-in chicken thighs, vegetable oil, large, thinly sliced onion 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 heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 3 thinly sliced shallots. Sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick). Stir for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  3. Step 3: Brown 6 bone-in chicken thighs in the pot for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until golden on all sides.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 cup water. Add 3 fresh kaffir lime leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Bring to a simmer, cover partially, and reduce heat to low. Braise chicken gently for 40 minutes, turning once halfway, until meat is tender and sauce thickens to a rich glaze.
  6. Step 6: Remove lime leaves before serving. Serve the semur chicken hot with steamed jasmine rice for a comforting Australian-Indonesian fusion meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Semur-Style Braised Chicken with Indonesian Spices 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 Braised 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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Semur-Style Braised 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 Semur-Style Braised 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 Semur-Style Braised 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.

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