Spicy Indonesian Sambal Stir-Fried Chicken
Tender chicken pieces sautéed with a bold homemade sambal sauce bursting with chili and garlic flavors. This indonesian-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs vegetable oil, thinly sliced shallots, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 500 g, cut into bite-sized pieces chicken breast
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5, deseeded and finely chopped red chili peppers
- 4, thinly sliced shallots
- 5, minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium, finely chopped tomato
- 1 tbsp palm sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 100 ml water
- 2, chopped for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 thinly sliced shallots and 5 minced garlic cloves, stir-frying for 2 minutes until fragrant and golden.
- Step 2: Add 5 finely chopped red chili peppers and 1 finely chopped medium tomato, cooking for 3 minutes until the mixture softens and releases aroma.
- Step 3: Stir in 500 g bite-sized chicken breast pieces, 1 tbsp palm sugar, and 1 tsp salt, tossing to coat evenly.
- Step 4: Pour 100 ml water and simmer for 8-10 minutes over medium heat until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1 tbsp lime juice for brightness, and garnish with 2 chopped green onions before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Indonesian Sambal Stir-Fried Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Spicy Indonesian Sambal Stir-Fried Chicken?
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 Spicy Indonesian Sambal Stir-Fried Chicken?
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 Spicy Indonesian Sambal Stir-Fried Chicken 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 Spicy Indonesian Sambal Stir-Fried Chicken?
Indonesian 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.
