Semur-Style Slow-Braised Chicken with Indonesian Spices

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

Australian-inspired semur chicken slow-braised in a fragrant, sweet-spiced Indonesian-style soy sauce reduction. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 70 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, vegetable oil, large, thinly sliced yellow 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: 55 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 6 bone-in chicken thighs skin-side down and brown for 5-6 minutes until golden, then flip and brown the other side for 4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1/3 cup sweet soy sauce, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 cinnamon stick, and 3 whole cloves. Stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken thighs to the pot, skin-side up, submerging partially in the sauce.
  6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 45 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce has thickened to a rich glaze.
  7. Step 7: Remove cinnamon stick and cloves, spoon sauce over chicken, and garnish with 2 sliced scallions before serving with steamed rice or vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Semur-Style Slow-Braised Chicken with Indonesian Spices take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (15 min prep + 55 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 Slow-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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Semur-Style Slow-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 Slow-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 Slow-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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