Semur-Style Braised Chicken with Star Anise and Cloves

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

Tender chicken braised slowly in a fragrant Indonesian-inspired soy and spice sauce, offering a rich and warming Australian twist on Semur chicken. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs (about 1.2 kg) 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 6, 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 6 Australian cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large thinly sliced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cinnamon stick, 2 whole star anise, and 4 whole cloves to the pot. Stir for 1 minute to release their aroma.
  4. Step 4: Return the chicken to the pot and pour in 1/4 cup (60 ml) kecap manis, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 cup (240 ml) water. Stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover partially, and braise over low heat for 40 minutes, turning chicken halfway, until meat is tender and sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Step 6: Season with 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Remove whole spices before serving.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 sliced spring onions and serve hot with steamed jasmine rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Semur-Style Braised 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 Semur-Style Braised 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 Semur-Style Braised 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 Semur-Style Braised Chicken with Star Anise and Cloves for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 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.

Related recipes