Chicken Sambal Matah

If you’ve never had chicken drenched in sambal matah, you’re seriously missing out.

This isn’t your average chili sauce—it’s raw, punchy, citrusy, and straight-up addictive.

I’m talking about that Balinese magic made with thinly sliced shallots, fiery chilies, lemongrass, and a splash of lime that wakes up everything it touches.

In this recipe, I’m pairing it with juicy, pan-seared chicken that soaks up all that flavor like a sponge. It’s fast, easy, and hits the spot every single time—perfect for weeknights, lazy Sundays, or anytime you just want something that slaps, hard. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll keep coming back for more.

Here's some recipe that I think you will loved it:

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Cooking Method: Pan Frying, Sauteing

Cuisine: Indonesian

Courses: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 2

Best Season: , Suitable throughout the year

Description

This dish is my go-to when I’m craving something spicy but bright, bold but still light enough to not knock me out after lunch. It’s super easy to make. Whether you're pairing it with rice, stuffing it in a wrap, or eating it straight out of the bowl like a savage (no judgment), Chicken Sambal Matah is one of those meals that always hits the spot.

Ingredients

400 gr chicken drumstick (use boneless for easier shredding)
5 pcs shallot (goes well with onion too)
2 pcs garlic
2 stalk lemograss
3 pcs lime leaves
1 tsp lime juice (or you can use vinegar)
1 tsp shrimp paste powder
1 stalk green onion
1 tsp salt
2 tsp mushroom bouillon
1/2 tsp sugar
20 ml coconut oil
20 g chili

Instructions

1
Boil the chicken until fully cooked. Let it cool slightly, then shred the meat using two forks or your fingers. Set aside.
2
Finely chop the shallots, garlic, lemongrass, lime leaves, green onion, and chili.
3
Heat coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat.
4
Sauté the chopped shallots, garlic, lemongrass, lime leaves, chili, green onion, and shrimp paste powder until fragrant and softened—about 5 minutes.
5
Add the shredded chicken to the pan. Stir well to coat the meat with the spices.
6
Season with salt, mushroom bouillon, sugar, and lime juice. Stir and cook for another 3–5 minutes until everything is well combined.
7
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with rice, noodles, or stuff it in a sandwich or wrap.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 2

Amount Per Serving
Calories 432kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 26.91g42%
Saturated Fat 12.11g61%
Trans Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 188mg63%
Sodium 1432mg60%
Potassium 567mg17%
Total Carbohydrate 10.23g4%
Dietary Fiber 0.8g4%
Sugars 2.91g
Protein 37.58g76%

Vitamin A 495 IU
Vitamin C 37.6 mg
Calcium 50 mg
Iron 1.78 mg
Vitamin D 4 IU
Vitamin E 0.64 IU
Vitamin K 16.3 mcg
Vitamin B12 1.07 mcg
Magnesium 47 mg
Zinc 3.89 mg

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Keywords: Easy chicken sambal matah recipe, Balinese chicken sambal matah, Balinese cuisine recipes