Sayur Sop Ayam (Indonesian Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Sambal)
A clear, peppery Indonesian chicken and vegetable soup with fried shallots, served with a fiery sambal for stirring in.
Made with Sambal oelek (chilli sambal) and Homemade chicken stock. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.51 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a small pan and fry half the shallots for 5 minutes until deep golden and crisp. Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
5 min - 2
In the same oil, fry the remaining shallots and the garlic for 2 minutes, then add to a large pot with your ready made homemade chicken stock (see the base recipe).
- 3
Add the chicken, white pepper, nutmeg and salt. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Lift out and shred.
15 min - 4
Add the carrots and potatoes and simmer for 8 minutes. Add the celery, green beans and cabbage and cook for 5 minutes more.
13 min - 5
Return the chicken to the pot and heat through for 2 minutes.
- 6
Serve in bowls topped with the crisp shallots, with the sambal (see the base recipe) and lime wedges on the side.
Tips
- Fried shallots are the signature topping. Fry until deep golden, but not dark, or they taste bitter.
- Add the vegetables in order of how long they take to cook so none go mushy.
- Stir sambal in a little at a time. A teaspoon is hot.
- White pepper and a hint of nutmeg give the broth its authentic flavour.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours. Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the fried shallots separate in an airtight tin. Reheat the soup until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What is sop ayam?
Sop ayam is the Indonesian name for a clear chicken soup with vegetables. It is eaten daily, often with rice, and topped with fried shallots and sambal.
Can I make it with chicken on the bone?
Yes. Use 4 thighs, simmer for 25 minutes and shred the meat off the bone. The bones add body to the broth.
Is this soup gluten free?
Yes, when the sambal is gluten free. The soup has no wheat. Serve with plain rice.
More made with sambal oelek (chilli sambal)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.