4.6 from 48 votes
Ayam Masak Merah (Chicken in Spicy Tomato Sauce)
Ayam masak merah or Chicken in Spicy Tomato Sauce is a Malaysian classic that I absolutely love! It’s chicken simmered in a rich, spicy tomato sauce with just the right balance of spices and sweetness. It’s a must-try for anyone who loves bold, flavorful dishes!
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings:
10
people
Calories:
424 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Malaysian
Ingredients
- 2 kg chicken (2 chickens if possible), cut into 8 pieces/chicken
- salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons Turmeric
- 2 red onion
- 40 g ginger
- 25 g galangal lengkuas
- 5 lemongrass
- 20 dried chili soaked
- 5 cloves garlic
- vegetable oil for deep frying plus ¼ cup extra
- 3 inch cinnamon
- 2-3 star anise
- 1 teaspoon cloves ground
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 can tomato soup
- 1 can coconut milk
Instructions
- Preparing Chicken: Rub the chicken with turmeric and salt, and set aside for 30 minutes. Heat oil in a wok and deep fry the chicken pieces until golden brown. Set aside.
- Roughly chop the red onion, ginger, galangal, and lemongrass, then transfer them to a blender or food processor. Add the chilies and garlic, and process into a paste.
- Heat the wok with ½ cup of oil. Sauté the spices—cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and cardamom—until fragrant. Add the blended paste and increase the heat until it bubbles. Then, reduce the heat and simmer until the paste is fully cooked, fragrant, and the oil separates from the paste (pecah minyak).
- Add the canned tomato soup, coconut milk, and chicken pieces. Raise the heat to bring it to a quick boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens. Season with salt to taste and garnish with spring onions before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Source: My Lemony Kitchen
- Don’t skip the deep frying step! I always deep-fry the chicken before simmering it in the sauce. This step creates a crispy, golden texture while locking in all the juicy flavors, making each bite tender yet crispy.
- I recommend a mild or classic canned tomato soup. It adds the perfect amount of sweetness without being too tangy, helping to create a rich, balanced sauce that brings all the flavors together.
- Blend the red onion, ginger, galangal, garlic, and chilies into a smooth paste. It really brings out all the amazing aromas and makes the sauce super flavorful!
- Please make sure to let the spice paste simmer until the oil separates—this is what we call pecah minyak. This step makes sure the spices are cooked through and gives the sauce a rich, flavorful kick that’s so authentic
Nutrition Information
Serving
10people
Calories
424kcal
(21%)
Carbohydrates
13g
(4%)
Protein
28g
(56%)
Fat
29g
(45%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
(29%)
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Trans Fat
0.1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
102mg
(34%)
Sodium
215mg
(9%)
Potassium
645mg
(14%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
684IU
(14%)
Vitamin C
15mg
(17%)
Calcium
47mg
(5%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 424
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 10people | |
| Calories | 424kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 102mg | 34% |
| Sodium | 215mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 645mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 684IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 47mg | 5% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.