Rendang is a tasty and flavourful Indonesian dish that is kind of like a creamy spiced coconut chicken stew. This Chicken Rendang also known as Rendang Ayam, is simple and delicious and ready in under an hour.
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Considered by many to be the most delicious meal in the world, a Rendang is a mix of chicken or beef, spices and coconut milk, cooked low and slow.
The slow cooking process, until the liquid has almost disappeared, means this stew is absolutely full of flavour. You don't want to rush it, but it is worth the wait.
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What is Rendang?
Rendang is an Indonesian spicy meat, most commonly using beef, but other meats are used, such as lamb, goat or chicken, like we have used here. The dish originated in West Sumatra, Indonesia and has spread across Indonesia to the cuisines of many Southeast Asian countries.
Although many people describe Rendang as a curry, it is actually a stew. It is not considered a curry in Indonesia as it is richer in flavour and has less liquid.
An online poll by CNN, of over 35,000 people, chose Rendang as the number 1 most delicious dish of the world.
Why You Will Love It
- Less than 400 calories per portion
- Delicious way to enjoy chicken
- Amazing homemade takeaway
- Easy to make spicy or mild
- Tastes even better the next day
How to Make Chicken Rendang
One: Make the paste by pounding the paste ingredients in a pestle and mortar. Set aside.
Two: Heat the oil in a pan and cook the chicken until browned all over, about 5-7 minutes.
Three: Add the onions and cook until onions are golden brown, about 5 minutes.
Four: Add the paste, mix well and cook for a further minute. Add the lime, salt and the second lot of ginger and cook for a further two minutes.
Five: Add the coconut milk and bring to the boil.
Six: Reduce heat and simmer allowing the liquids to reduce considerably, about 30 minutes.
Seven: Serve with rice.
Is it spicy?
Rendang is full of spice flavour, but it isn't necessarily spicy hot. This particular recipe uses one red chilli , which can add a good level of heat to the dish. You can adjust the amount to your own taste.
If the dish is still too spicy once you have cooked it, you can cool it down by adding a teaspoon of palm sugar (or brown sugar) or by stirring through a tablespoon of plain yogurt.
What Vegetables to Add
We just used some onion for this recipe. You can of course, add any vegetables that you wish. Baby corn, mushrooms, carrot, aubergine (eggplant), pak choi (bok choy), broccoli, bean sprouts and green beans can all be used and are popular in Indonesian cuisine.
Serving Suggestions
We served this with some simple basmati rice, but why not try our Turmeric Rice? The dish is quite a filling meal on it's own, but you could serve some sides too.
Try our Carrot and Coriander Side Salad, Cucumber and Tomato Salad or just some flatbreads to mop up any sauce.
Storage
Store: This is the perfect make ahead meal as the flavour intensifies overnight and tastes even better when reheated. Keep in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: To freeze, portion out into airtight containers and put in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Defrost: Defrost in the fridge overnight.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the hob.
Dannii's Top Tips
- This isn't a curry, so the sauce should be reduced as much as possible when cooking.
- If this is too spicy, add some palm sugar or a tablespoon of plain yogurt.
- Add any vegetables you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Beef is more commonly used in a rendang, so it would definitely work well. We would recommend cooking it very low and slow for about an hour, so the beef falls apart.
There are 390 calories in this portion of chicken rendang. Serving it with rice or bread would increase the calories.
Yes, this can definitely be done in the slow cooker. Follow steps one to four and then put everything in the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours.
Yes, you could swap the chicken breasts for chicken thighs in this rendang. We used breasts to keep it nice and lean, but using skinless and boneless chicken thighs would make it much juicer.
More Chicken Recipes
If you've tried this chicken rendang recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Chicken Rendang
Ingredients
- 300 g (10.5 oz) Chicken breast - cut into chunks
- 0.5 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Onion - chopped
- 400 ml (1.66 cups) Light coconut milk
- 1 Lime - (juice only)
- 1 pinch Sea salt
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) Fresh ginger - very finely chopped
Paste:
- 2 Garlic clove
- 1 stalk Lemongrass - bruised and chopped
- 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger - chopped
- 1 Red chilli - chopped
- 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric
Instructions
- Make the paste by pounding together 2 Garlic clove, 1 stalk Lemongrass, 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger, 1 Red chilli, 1 teaspoon Ground coriander and 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric in a pestle and mortar. Set aside.
- Heat 0.5 tablespoon Olive oil in a pan and cook 300 g Chicken breast until browned all over, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add 1 Onion and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add the paste, mix well and cook for a further minute. Add juice of 1 Lime, 1 pinch Sea salt and 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger and cook for a further two minutes.
- Add 400 ml Light coconut milk and bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer, allowing the liquids to reduce considerably, about 30 minutes.
- Serve with rice.
Recipe Tips
- This isn't a curry, so the sauce should be reduced as much as possible when cooking.
- If this is too spicy, add some palm sugar or a tablespoon of plain yogurt.
- Add any vegetables you like.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Alfredo says
Where is the list of ingredients?
Dannii Martin says
In the recipe! You would have had to scroll straight past the recipe card at the bottom, full of the ingredients, to leave this comment.