Taste Vibe

A very common dish at these stalls is the Indonesian-style Western Food, such as Chicken Black Pepper or Mushroom Chicken Chop. Here’s a recipe for a crowd-pleaser:

Ayam Chicken Black Pepper (Indonesian-Style Chicken Black Pepper)

This dish features a tender, fried chicken cutlet smothered in a rich, savory, and slightly sweet black pepper sauce—exactly the kind of comfort food you’d get at a food court.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 1 egg, beaten
• All-purpose flour for coating
• Cooking oil for frying

For the Black Pepper Sauce:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• 1 tbsp regular soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tsp coarse black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 cup chicken broth or water
• 1 tbsp cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tbsp water (slurry)
• Salt to taste

Common Sides:

• French fries
• Steamed white rice
• Mixed vegetables (boiled carrots, broccoli, corn)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   • Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch). Season both sides with salt and white pepper.
   • Dredge each breast first in flour, then dip into the beaten egg, and then back into the flour to coat thoroughly.
   • Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside on a wire rack.
2. Make the Black Pepper Sauce:
   • In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant and soft.
   • Add the black pepper and stir for 30 seconds to release its aroma.
   • Pour in the chicken broth, then add the sweet soy sauce, regular soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
   • Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Taste and add salt if needed.
3. Serve:
   • Place the crispy fried chicken on a plate alongside french fries or a bed of white rice.
   • Generously pour the black pepper sauce over the chicken.
   • Serve immediately with a side of vegetables.