🇧🇳 Bruneian Cuisine

Ayam Masak Merah

Chicken in Red Sauce

Prep Time 25 min

Servings 5

Difficulty Medium

Calories 376 kcal

Fried chicken pieces simmered in a vibrant, slightly sweet tomato and chilli sauce spiced with cinnamon and star anise, a staple at Bruneian celebrations.

Ingredients

1kg chicken pieces
400g canned tomatoes, blended
6 shallots
4 cloves garlic
5 dried chillies, soaked
3 tbsp chilli paste
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise
3 cardamom pods
200ml coconut milk
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp sugar
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

Instructions

1 Season chicken with salt and turmeric. Deep fry until golden, then set aside.
2 Blend shallots, garlic, and soaked chillies into a paste.
3 Fry the paste with cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom until fragrant.
4 Add chilli paste and tomato paste, cook for 3 minutes.
5 Pour in blended tomatoes and coconut milk. Simmer 15 minutes.
6 Add fried chicken pieces, stir to coat, and simmer 10 more minutes until sauce thickens. Adjust sugar and salt.

Did You Know?

The name translates to "chicken cooked red" and the dish gets its striking color from the combination of tomatoes, chilli paste, and careful frying of the spice paste.