Brunei Ayam Penyet Your Crispy Spicy Fried Chicken Recipe

High Protein 3 Last Update: Jan 08, 2026 Created: Jan 06, 2026

Serves: 6 People
Prepare Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30-35 minut
Calories: -
Difficulty: Medium

Get ready to transform your kitchen into the ultimate fried chicken haven! We're diving deep into an incredible spicy fried chicken recipe that promises to deliver an unbeatable experience. This isn't just any fried chicken; it's a journey into a world where crispy textures meet a bold, spicy kick, inspired by the rich flavors often found in Southeast Asian cuisine, like the famed Ayam Penyet. Forget bland, forget soggy – our guide ensures every bite is a symphony of crunch and heat. Whether you're a seasoned chef or just starting your culinary adventure, this recipe is designed to be straightforward, rewarding you with perfectly cooked, gloriously spicy fried chicken that will have everyone asking for more. Let’s get cooking and make some seriously delicious, crispy chicken chili!

Ingredients

Directions

Prepare the Brine for Flavor-Packed Chicken In a large bowl or a gallon-sized freezer bag, combine the pickle juice, buttermilk, hot sauce, and grated garlic. Whisk everything together until well mixed. Add your broken-down chicken pieces to the brine, ensuring all parts are fully submerged. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally, 2-4 hours for maximum flavor and tenderness. You can even brine overnight for an extra juicy result!
Craft Your Crispy Dredging Mixture While the chicken is brining, prepare your dredging station. In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, cayenne pepper (if using), kosher salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Make sure there are no lumps and the seasonings are evenly distributed. This is where your chicken gets its incredible flavor and golden crust!
Heat the Frying Oil to Perfection Pour your chosen frying oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or a cast-iron skillet, ensuring it reaches about 2-3 inches deep. Attach a deep-fry thermometer to the side of the pot. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches a steady 350°F (175°C). Maintaining this temperature is key for evenly cooked, crispy chicken.
Coat the Chicken for Ultimate Crispiness Once the chicken has brined, remove the pieces from the liquid, letting any excess drip off. Do not rinse. Working one piece at a time, dredge the chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture. Press firmly to ensure the flour adheres to every nook and cranny. For an extra-crispy crust, you can double-dredge: dip the floured chicken back into the remaining brine (just a quick dip to moisten) then back into the flour mixture, pressing again. Set the coated chicken aside on a wire rack while you finish coating the rest.
Fry Your Golden, Spicy Chicken Carefully lower 2-3 pieces of coated chicken into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Overcrowding will drop the oil temperature and lead to soggy chicken. Fry the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side, turning occasionally with tongs, until each piece is a beautiful golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Use your deep-fry thermometer to monitor the oil temperature, adjusting heat as needed to keep it around 325-350°F (160-175°C).
Rest and Serve Your Spicy Masterpiece Once cooked, transfer the fried chicken to a clean wire rack placed over a baking sheet. This allows excess oil to drain off and helps keep the chicken crispy. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This brief rest helps the juices redistribute, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful. Serve your spicy hot chicken immediately with tangy pickles or pickled jalapeños, and your optional sides like shredded lettuce or soft buns for a fantastic sandwich experience.

Recipe Nutritional Values

The following nutritional values are per serving (one piece of cake)

Calories

Approximately 450-550 kcal per serving

Carbohydrates

Approximately 25-35g per serving

Protein

Approximately 30-40g per serving

Fat

Approximately 25-35g per serving

Additional Information

450-550 kcal per serving Carbohydrates: Approximately 25-35g per serving Protein: Approximately 30-40g per serving Fat: Approximately 25-35g per serving Additional Information:Rich in Protein: Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.
Rich in Protein: Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.
Spice Benefits: Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which may offer metabolism-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.
Calcium Boost: Buttermilk contributes a small amount of calcium to the recipe.

Recipe Success Tips

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

Spicy Level Adjustment: This recipe gives you full control! For less heat, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper in the dredging mixture. For an extra fiery kick, add a pinch of ghost pepper powder or increase the hot sauce in the brine. You can also mix a spicier hot sauce into your brine or serve with an extra dash of chili oil.
Dietary Swaps: If you're looking for a gluten-free option, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure your brine ingredients are also gluten-free.
Flavor Boosters: Feel free to experiment with additional seasonings! A teaspoon of garlic powder or onion powder in the dredging mixture can add another layer of savory depth. You can also add a pinch of dried thyme or oregano for an herbaceous note.
Extra Crispy Crust: For an even more satisfying crunch, perform a double dredge as described in the instructions. This creates a thicker, more textured coating that fries up incredibly crispy.

Cultural Variations

While this recipe focuses on a general spicy crispy fried chicken profile, it draws inspiration from globally loved spicy chicken dishes. For instance, the concept of a crispy, spicy chicken served with a fiery sambal is central to dishes like Indonesian and Bruneian Ayam Penyet. This recipe offers a homemade take on that irresistible combination, allowing you to experience similar bold flavors and textures. You can enhance this by preparing a homemade chili sambal to serve alongside your chicken, adding fresh lime juice for brightness.

Make-Ahead & Storage Instructions

Make-Ahead: The chicken can be brined up to 24 hours in advance, which actually enhances its flavor and tenderness. Prepare your dredging mixture ahead of time and store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
Storage: Leftover fried chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: To revive the crispiness, reheat the chicken in a preheated oven or air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the coating soggy. If your chicken was slightly undercooked during the initial fry, finishing it in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for 5-10 minutes can ensure it's fully cooked without burning the exterior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Kitchen Tools

Making delicious spicy fried chicken doesn't have to be a marathon! Here are a few clever tools and ingredients that can shave precious minutes off your prep time, letting you get to that crispy, spicy goodness even faster. Problem: Breaking down a whole chicken can be messy and time-consuming, especially if you're not a seasoned butcher. Agitation: Fumbling with poultry shears or a knife can lead to uneven pieces or even cuts, adding stress to your cooking process.

pre-cut chicken pieces

Problem: Breaking down a whole chicken can be messy and time-consuming, especially if you're not a seasoned butcher. Agitation: Fumbling with poultry shears or a knife can lead to uneven pieces or even cuts, adding stress to your cooking process.
Solution: Opt for pre-cut chicken pieces from your local butcher or grocery store. Many stores offer whole chickens already broken down into drums, thighs, and breasts, ready for brining.

pre-minced garlic

Problem: Grating fresh garlic can be fiddly, and you might end up with garlic smell on your hands for hours. Agitation: While fresh is always great, the tiny cloves can be a pain to peel and grate when you're in a rush.
Solution: Keep a jar of pre-minced garlic in your fridge. A tablespoon of jarred garlic can easily substitute 2-3 grated cloves, saving you prep time without sacrificing much flavor in the brine.

reliable deep-fry thermometer

Problem: Waiting for oil to heat up to the exact right temperature can be a guessing game, and improper temperature leads to soggy or burnt chicken. Agitation: Without a reliable way to monitor oil temp, you risk either undercooking the chicken or burning the crust before the inside is done.
Solution: Invest in a reliable deep-fry thermometer. This simple tool takes the guesswork out of frying, ensuring your oil is consistently at 350°F (175°C) for perfectly crispy, cooked-through chicken every single time.