To make
Mix all the marinade ingredients together.
Place chicken thighs into a large bowl and marinate with marinade mixture for 1 hour or overnight.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CAP-1-1.jpg
Heat up the frying pan or wok with 1-2 tbsp of oil. Drain chicken thighs and remove as much liquid as possible. Sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until both sides are well charred.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CAP-2-1.jpg
Cook in 2 batches so the pan retains heat. Set aside.
In the same pan, sauté onion and garlic until softened.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CAP-3-1.jpg
Place seared chicken thighs on top and cook for 1 minute.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CAP-4-1.png
Add in bay leaves, black peppercorns, marinade liquid and water and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CAP-7-1-1.png
Once it starts bubbling, reduce to low heat and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the gravy thickens.
Toss in pineapple chunks and stir to mix.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CAP-8-1-1.png
Serve hot with steamed rice and garnish with chopped spring onions.
Chicken
Malaysian Satay Kajang
To Make
Slice chicken thigh into thin strips.
Blend all the marinade ingredients together until you get a thick paste.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MSK-1.png
Marinate chicken for 4 hours or best overnight.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MSK-2-1.png
To make peanut sauce, blend together dried chillies, shallots, garlic, galangal, lemongrass and soaking water until you get a fine paste.
Heat up the wok with 120ml oil. Once smoke starts to appear, pour in the blended chilli paste and cook until the oil breaks.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MSK-4.png
Add in brown sugar, tamarind paste, lemon juice and salt. Cook for a few minutes until bubbling.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MSK-6.png
Pour in water and mix well.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MSK-7-2.png
Add in crushed toasted peanuts and mix until well incorporated.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MSK-8.png
Continue to cook until the desired consistency. Set aside to cool. This can be cooked a day ahead.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MSK-9.png
Thread chicken onto skewers.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MSK-10.png
Grill over charcoal BBQ or can pan fry on a grill pan or oven grill. Baste with oil to assist in cooking.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MSK-11.png
Serve with peanut sauce and condiments.
Steamed Ginger Scallion Chicken
To Prep
Place a bowl in the centre of a place. Arrange chicken around the bowl, and place knotted stalk of spring onion and ginger slices on the chicken. Steam on high heat for 18-20 mins.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-SGC-1-1.jpg
Remove chicken from the plate and set aside to cool. Reserve the chicken broth released from steaming the chicken.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-SGC-3-1.jpg
Once chicken is cool to handle, remove all the meat from the bones. Tear into smaller pieces and arrange onto a serving plate.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-SGC-6-1.jpg
To make the ginger and scallion sauce, heat up oil with the spring onion batons and let it cook until spring onions turn brown.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-SGC-4-1.jpg
In a separate mixing bowl, add in the chopped spring onions, minced ginger, light and dark soy sauce, sugar and salt. Pour just the oil over the rest of the sauce ingredients. Mix well before adding chicken broth.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-SGC-5-1.jpg
Scoop ginger sauce over tore chicken and serve with steamed rice.
Vietnamese Ginger Braised Chicken
To Make
Clean and chop chicken thighs into big chunks.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-VGC-2-1.jpg
Marinate with sugar, salt, fish sauce, black pepper and cooking oil for 30 mins.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-VGC-1-1.jpg
Heat a heavy bottom pot over medium low heat. Add oil and sugar and mix. Let the sugar melt slowly and caramelise. This will take up to 5 mins until the sugar turns brown.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-VGC-3-1.jpg
Add in all the braising ingredients except fish sauce and water. Sauté until fragrant for about 2-3 mins over medium heat.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-VGC-4-1.jpg
Add in chicken and stir to coat and let it cook for 5 mins or until chicken turns opaque.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-VGC-5-1.jpg
Add fish sauce and water. Reduced to low heat and simmer covered for 30 mins. Stir periodically so the chicken does not burn at the bottom.
Cook uncovered for 8-10 mins to thicken up the sauce.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-VGC-8-1.jpg
Garnish with chopped spring onion and shredded ginger and serve with steamed rice.
Chinese Steamed Chicken Buns (Chicken Baozi)
To Make
Mix instant yeast and sugar into warm water. Set aside for 10-15 mins to let the yeast activate.
Place flour and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Make a well and pour in oil and activated yeast water.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CSCB-3.png
Stir with a pair of chopsticks until the flour turns into small clumps.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CSCB-1.png
Use hands to bring the clumps of flour together until you get a dough ball. Give it a gentle knead and leave it in the bowl, cover with a damp cloth to let the dough rise until double in size.
While the dough is proofing, prepare the chicken filling by cutting half the chicken thighs into tiny cubes and half mince finely.
Place chicken cubes and the rest of the ingredients into a mixing bowl. Mix until well combined. Chill in the refrigerator until required.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CSCB-2.png
Once the dough has risen or is ready, you will see a ‘web’ when you lift it.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CSCB-4-1.png
Punch it down and transfer to a floured surface. Knead for 5-6 mins. Let it rest for 10 minutes covered with a cloth.
Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and form into dough balls. Take a portion out and cover the rest to prevent from drying out.
Roll out a dough ball into a 12cm diameter disc with the sides thinner than the centre.
Scoop around 25-30g of the chicken filling and place it in the centre.
Lift both sides up into half and pinch while bringing each of the sides to the centre and pleat.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CSCB-6.png
Pinch the seams together to seal.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CSCB-7.png
Place completed bao onto a square piece of parchment paper before placing them into the bamboo steamer. Let them rise for 25-30 mins inside the steamer.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CSCB-8.png
Heat up the steamer and steam the bao for 15-18 mins over medium heat.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CSCB-9-1.png
When done, turn off the heat and let the bao stay in the steamer basket for 5 mins. Do not open to prevent shrinking.
Serve warm.
Shredded Chicken Udon Noodle Salad with Japanese-Style Dressing
To make
Cook udon noodles according to the package’s instructions. Strain and rinse over cold running water.Strain dry and set aside to cool.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SCUS-1.png
Marinate chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Heat up the frying pan with 1 tbsp of oil and fry chicken thighs for 5 minutes over medium heat on one side before flipping to the other side and cooking for 5 minutes. Do not move the chicken thighs while cooking. Once cooked, set aside to cool and shred into smaller pieces.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SCUS-2.png
Mix all the sauce ingredients and stir to combine.
Place all the vegetables, noodles and shredded chicken in a large mixing bowl. Pour the sauce over and mix everything together until everything is well coated with the sauce.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SCUS-3.png
Place noodles salad on a plate and garnish with more toasted sesame and chopped spring onions.
Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs Skewers
To Make
Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl until well combined. Use your hand to knead the mixture for a few minutes until it turns pale. Divide into 8-10 portions.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TCMS-2.jpg
Line a baking tray with foil, leaving some overhang at both ends. Place a wire rack over the tray.
Lightly oil your palms. Shape each portion into an elongated meatball. Place a bamboo skewer vertically on the meatball and press in. Shape the meat around the skewer to enclose it completely, smoothing the surface. Repeat with the rest.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TCMS-5.jpg
Arrange the skewers on the wire rack with the ends pointing toward the foil overhang. Fold the foil over to cover the skewer ends.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TCMS-6.jpg
Set the grill or broiler to 200°C and position the tray about 10-12cm away from the heating element. Grill the skewers for about 10 mins and turn them over and cook for a further 10 mins.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TCMS-8.jpg
Brush the meatballs with Obento Teriyaki Marinade and grill for 5 minutes. Turn the skewers, brush again, and grill for another 5 minutes.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TCMS-9.jpg
Serve with shichimi togarashi.
Balinese Chicken Satay (Sate Lilit)
To Prep
Toast coriander seeds and black peppercorns together until fragrant. Let them cool for a while before grinding into powder with a mortar and pestle.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Copy-of-BCS-1.jpg
Toast shredded/desiccated coconut until golden brown and set aside.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Copy-of-BCS-2.jpg
Blend together all the sambal paste ingredients until it becomes a smooth paste.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Copy-of-BCS-3.jpg
In a mixing bowl, mix together chicken mince, coriander and peppercorn powder, sambal paste, toasted shredded coconut and kaffir lime leaves until well combined.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Copy-of-BCS-5.jpg
Divide paste into 8-10 portions.
Take a portion and wrap around the white part of a stalk of lemongrass if using, or bamboo skewers. Repeat with the rest of the mixture.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Copy-of-BCS-6.jpg
To Make
Heat up a skillet and brush with some oil.
Fry the chicken satay for 3-4 mins each side. Cover the skillet but leaving some opening to release steam.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Copy-of-BCS-8.jpg
Serve hot with sweet chilli sauce.
Malaysian Chicken Curry (Gulai Ayam)
To Prepare
Marinate chicken drumsticks with curry powder and salt for 30 minutes.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/GA-1.jpg
To Make
Blend together all the ingredients for the spice paste until you get a fine paste.
Heat up a heavy-bottom pot with coconut oil until smoke starts to rise. Add in the spice paste and cook until the oil breaks.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/GA-2.jpg
Add in lemongrass, cinnamon stick and curry leaves. Continue to cook for 2 minutes.
Add in chicken and stir to coat. Let it cook for 5 minutes, stirring every few minutes.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/GA-4.jpg
Pour water into the blender to remove excess spice paste, and pour it into the chicken. Stir to mix. Once it starts bubbling, reduce to low heat and simmer covered for 20-30 minutes.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/GA-5.jpg
While waiting, heat up the frying pan with some oil and fry the cut potatoes until slightly brown on all sides.
Add coconut cream and potatoes to the curry. Let it boil for a few minutes. Season with palm sugar and salt.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/GA-7.jpg
Serve with steamed turmeric glutinous rice or steamed white rice.
Hokkien Fried Rice
To Prepare
Heat up wok with oil and fry beaten eggs, stirring vigorously to break up into small clumps.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DSC_6429.png
Toss in rice and fry for 2-3 mins until well mixed with scrambled eggs.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DSC_6430.png
Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with sesame oil, stir to combine. Set aside.
In the same wok, add cooking oil and sauté garlic and ginger for 30 secs.
Add in shiitake mushrooms, and spring onions and cook for 30 secs.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DSC_6432.png
Toss in chicken cubes and fry until slight brown.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DSC_6433.png
Toss in prawns and fry for 1-2 mins and add in carrots, stir for 1 min.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DSC_6435.png
Then pour in chicken stock.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DSC_6437.png
Once stock comes to a boil, pour in seasonings and let it come to a boil again.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DSC_6438.png
Mix potato starch with water to make slurry. Pour into stock and cook until thicken.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DSC_6440.png
Divide fried rice into plates and pour gravy over. Serve hot.
Northern Thai Spicy Chicken Soup (Yum Jin Gai)
To Make
Toast dried chillies, coriander seeds, Sichuan peppercorns, cloves, star anise, cardamom and black peppercorns to release aroma. Set aside to cool.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NTSCS-1-1.jpg
Pound together toasted herbs until powdery and add together the galangal, lemongrass, shallots, Thai chilli and Thai shrimp paste with a mortar and pestle until you get a smooth paste.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NTSCS-2-1.jpg
Heat up a heavy bottom pot with oil and sauté the chilli paste until fragrant.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NTSCS-3-1.jpg
Add in chicken bones and meat and stir to cook. Add fish sauce and cook for 30 seconds.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NTSCS-5-1.jpg
Pour in water and let it come to a boil. Add in mushrooms and eggplants.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NTSCS-7-1.jpg
Add salt and dill fronds and serve hot.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NTSCS-8-1.jpg
Slow Cooker Thai Massaman Curry
To Make
Place in this order: chicken, potatoes, onions, star anise, cinnamon stick, tamarind paste, massaman curry paste, palm sugar, fish sauce, kaffir lime leaves, lemon grass and coconut milk into a slow cooker.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SCMC-2.jpg
Stir everything together and set the slow cooker to low for 6 hours or 2 hours on high and 2 hours on low. Give it a good stir before serving.https://asianinspirations.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SCMC-4.jpg
Serve hot with steamed Jasmine rice and garnish with toasted peanuts, sliced chillies, fried shallots and cilantro.