Crispy Flourless Fried Chicken – Ayam Goreng Singkawang

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Flourless Fried Chicken is good news for crispy chicken lovers. This Indonesian twist from Singkawang skips the flour but doesn’t miss out on the crunch. Marinated with very simple ingredients and fried to a beautiful golden brown color, juicy texture, and crispy skin.

Flourless fried chicken slices on a white plate with some cucumber slices and basil leaves.

Ayam Goreng Singkawang

Indonesia is a paradise of fried chicken varieties, each bringing its own twist of spices and techniques. Among them is Ayam Goreng Singkawang, a simple yet flavorful fried chicken dish from Singkawang, West Kalimantan. What makes this version stand out? It’s flourless — but still perfectly crispy. Marinated with a blend of simple seasonings, this chicken is deep-fried to golden perfection, creating a dish that’s irresistibly fragrant and juicy. Serve it with spicy sambal and warm steamed rice.

Indonesian chicken recipes are really worth saving. Ayam Goreng Singkawang or flourless fried chicken is just one of many irresistible chicken dishes that Indonesia has to offer.

If you’re in for bold flavors, Ayam Balado is a must-try — tender chicken coated in a fiery red chili sauce. Or something rich and comforting? Chicken Curry brings together tender chicken pieces in a creamy coconut curry that’s perfect with steamed rice. And next is Chicken Rendang with tender, spiced chicken simmered until it’s packed with flavor.

But if you love crispy fried chicken, you’re not limited to flourless options. You can also try my Crispy Fried Chicken with Tapioca Flour, with light coating that gives an irresistible crunch without using wheat flour.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Simple and quick – It is so easy to prepare this dish and requires only 10 minutes to let the seasonings go into the chicken.
Full of flavor – You can get a dish so flavorful with only a few basic seasonings.
Naturally flourless – Perfect for those avoiding wheat without sacrificing crunch.
Crispy and juicy – Golden crispy skin with tender juicy meat.

Recipe Ingredients

A photo of flourless fried chicken basic seasoning with labels.

A photo of other seasoning ingredients with labels.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken powder – Use this to enhance the flavor.

Oyster sauce – Oyster sauce will give a base flavor to the chicken.

Sesame oil – Sesame oil adds a wonderful fragrant to the dish.

Fish sauce – Fish sauce adds an umami flavor even though only a little is needed here.

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below

Variations

For the best results, you should deep-fry your chicken. This method requires a generous amount of oil, and I highly recommend using coconut oil. Its high saturation makes it ideal for frying, giving you a crispier, drier result compared to other oils.

Alternatively, you can opt for air-frying. Simply spray a small amount of oil to the chicken. While the flavor and texture may differ slightly, it’s a great option if you’re aiming for a lighter dish.

How to Make Flourless Fried Chicken

Step by step process photos of mixing the seasoning for flourless fried chicken.

STEP 1. In a small container, mix chicken powder, salt, sugar, and pepper. Stir well (Images 1, 2). You can prepare this basic seasoning in advance and store it in an airtight container for future use. For one chicken thigh, use 1/2 teaspoon of the basic seasoning, along with fish sauce, sesame oil, and oyster sauce (Image 3). Stir until well combined (Image 4).

Step by step process photos of marinating the chicken.

STEP 2. Place the chicken thigh fillet in a bowl. Massage it thoroughly with the seasoning, making sure every piece is evenly coated (Images 5, 6). Cover with cling wrap and let it marinate for 10-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat enough oil in a pan for deep frying. To test if the oil is ready, dip a bamboo stick or chopstick into it (Image 7). If bubbles appear around it and faint smoke rises, the oil is hot enough. Carefully add the chicken (Image 8).

Step by step process photos of deep-frying the chicken.

STEP 3. Fry the chicken until it turns golden brown on each side (Images 9, 10). Once done, drain the excess oil. Slice the chicken to your preferred size (Images 11, 12). Serve with chili sauce and steamed white rice. Enjoy!

Pro Tips

Marinate the chicken for at least 10-15 minutes, but for an even deeper flavor, keep it in the chiller overnight.
Fry the chicken twice for an even crispier outer layer. Simply fry until golden, remove, let it rest for a few minutes, then fry again until perfectly crispy.
Keep the oil temperature steady around 170°C (340°F). If the oil is too cool, the chicken will be greasy; too hot, and it might burn.
Coconut oil is highly saturated, making it perfect for deep-frying. It creates a crisp, non-greasy finish.
After frying, let the chicken rest for a few minutes. This helps retain its juices and makes slicing easier.

How to Serve

Flourless Fried Chicken (Ayam Goreng Singkawang) is best enjoyed hot and crispy. Serve it with warm steamed rice and Sambal Bajak for a kick. To complete the meal, pair it with other Indonesian dishes like Sop Buntut, a rich oxtail soup with tender meat, or Soto Betawi, a creamy, coconut milk-based beef soup that’s hearty and fragrant. If you prefer a spicier broth, Soto Tangkar balance perfectly with the crispy chicken.

Finish with Mango Sago Dessert, where sweet mango cubes and chewy sago pearls are bathed in creamy coconut milk. If you crave something warm and comforting, serve Pulut Hitam, a black glutinous rice porridge served with coconut milk. Or, go for Candil Ubi, chewy sweet potato balls in coconut milk.

FAQs about Flourless Fried Chicken

Can I make crispy fried chicken without using flour?

Yes, you can have crispy fried chicken without flour by relying on the chicken’s skin and a flavorful marinade. In recipes like Ayam Goreng Singkawang, the skin crisps up beautifully during frying.

What makes Ayam Goreng Singkawang unique among Indonesian fried chicken dishes?

Ayam Goreng Singkawang is unique because of the simple ingredients and the absence of flour in its preparation. The result is crispy, flavorful fried chicken.

Can I use an air fryer to cook flourless fried chicken?

Yes, you can use an air fryer to prepare flourless fried chicken. Simply spray some oil on each side and put the chicken in the air-fryer.

Flourless fried chicken slices on a white plate, garnished with lettuce.

Storage

Store the marinated chicken in the refrigerator for up to two days. If you need to keep it longer, transfer it to the freezer. For any leftover fried chicken, store it in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, simply refry it or use an air fryer for a crispier texture.