Soy-Free Ayam Kecap

Discover a delicious twist on a classic Indonesian favorite with this Soy-Free Ayam Kecap recipe! Perfect for those avoiding soy, this dish swaps traditional sweet soy sauce with coconut aminos and dark molasses, delivering the same rich, caramelized flavors you love. Tender chicken thighs are simmered in a fragrant sauce featuring garlic, ginger, shallots, and a touch of coconut sugar for natural sweetness. A hint of lemon juice adds brightness, while optional red chili brings just the right amount of heat. Ready in under an hour, this easy, one-pan dish pairs beautifully with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables for a satisfying, gluten-free, soy-free meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 45/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 kilogram Chicken (thighs, bone-in, and skin-on preferred)
• 0.5 cup Coconut aminos
• 2 tablespoons Dark molasses
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 4 large Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger, grated
• 3 tablespoons Coconut sugar
• 0.5 cup Water
• 1 Red chili, sliced (optional for heat)
• 2 tablespoons Cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Clean and pat dry the chicken thighs. Season them with salt and black pepper.

Step 2

In a large pan, heat the cooking oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, skin-side down, and sear until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pan, add the shallots and sauté until they become translucent. Add the minced garlic and ginger, then sauté for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the coconut sugar, coconut aminos, dark molasses, lemon juice, and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 5

Return the chicken to the pan, coating it in the sauce. If using, add the sliced red chili for a hint of heat.

Step 6

Cover the pan, lower the heat, and let the chicken simmer for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through and tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Once cooked, uncover the pan, increase the heat slightly, and allow the sauce to thicken for about 5-10 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 8

Remove from heat and garnish with chopped cilantro.

Step 9

Serve the Soy-Free Ayam Kecap hot, ideally with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(447.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	690.1

Total Fat 28.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4518.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 106.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.0g	0%
Total Sugars 93.3g
Protein 2.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 147.6mg	0%
Iron 4.1mg	0%
Potassium 936.4mg	0%

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

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.9%

Protein: 1.6%

Carbs: 61.5%