Ayam Betutu

Chicken seasoning To prepare the chicken seasoning, blend together the shallots, garlic, red chillies, bird's eye chillies, shrimp paste, turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt, sugar, and black pepper until smooth.

Marinating the chicken Rub the chicken with the blended seasoning mixture, making sure to coat both the inside and outside of the chicken. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator for best results.

Preheating the oven Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Stuffing the chicken Stuff the chicken cavity with kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass stalk, and candlenuts.

Wrapping the chicken Wrap the marinated chicken in banana leaves, securing it with toothpicks or kitchen twine.

Roasting the chicken Place the wrapped chicken on a baking tray and roast in the preheated oven for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is golden brown.

Preparing the sambal matah While the chicken is roasting, prepare the sambal matah by combining the sliced shallots, red chillies, bird's eye chillies, lemongrass, roasted shrimp paste, lime juice, vegetable oil, and salt in a bowl. Mix well to combine.

Finishing the dish Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Carefully unwrap the banana leaves and transfer the chicken to a serving platter.

Serving Serve the Ayam Betutu hot with steamed rice and the sambal matah on the side.