How to Make Nasi Ayam Penyet at Home (Easy Recipe)

Nasi Ayam Penyet is a popular Southeast Asian dish loved for its crispy fried chicken, fluffy rice, and spicy sambal. The signature step—penyet—involves gently smashing the fried chicken to make it tender while keeping the outside crispy.

With Ready-to-Eat Sambal, you can enjoy authentic nasi ayam penyet at home without the hassle of preparing sambal from scratch.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 4 pieces chicken thighs or drumsticks
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Oil, for frying

Rice

2 cups steamed white rice

Sambal

Sides

  • Cucumber slices
  • Fried tofu or tempeh (optional)
  • Fresh lettuce (optional)

How to Make Nasi Ayam Penyet

1️⃣ Prepare the Chicken

  1. Marinate the chicken with salt, turmeric powder, and minced garlic for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
  3. Fry the chicken until golden brown, crispy, and fully cooked.
  4. Remove and drain excess oil.

2️⃣ Smash the Chicken (Penyet)

  • While the chicken is still hot, gently smash it using a pestle or the back of a spoon until slightly flattened.

3️⃣ Prepare the Sambal

4️⃣ Assemble the Dish

  1. Place steamed rice on a plate.
  2. Add the smashed fried chicken.
  3. Serve with a generous spoon of warm sambal.
  4. Add cucumber slices and optional sides.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve hot with extra sambal on the side
  • Pair with fried tofu or tempeh for a complete meal
  • Best enjoyed immediately while the chicken is crispy

Tips for Perfect Ayam Penyet

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier meat
  • Fry on medium heat to ensure even cooking
  • Smash gently to keep the chicken intact

Why Use Ready-to-Eat Sambal

Using Ready-to-Eat Sambal saves time while delivering bold, authentic flavour. No blending, no long cooking—just heat and enjoy spicy sambal that pairs perfectly with crispy chicken.

Crispy chicken, spicy sambal, and comforting rice—made easy.
Enjoy restaurant-style Nasi Ayam Penyet at home with the convenience of ready-to-eat sambal.

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