Hainanese Chicken Rice is a heartwarming dish that has captured the hearts of food lovers all over Southeast Asia. Originating from China, this dish features tender, poached chicken served alongside jasmine rice that's been simmered in a flavorful chicken broth.
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To make it even more enticing, you can add sides like spicy chili sauce, rich soy sauce, and fresh, crunchy cucumbers. This makes the dish versatile enough for a simple family lunch or an elegant dinner party.
This dish is so popular in Singapore that it's considered their national dish, known as Singaporean Chicken Rice. Its widespread appeal is largely due to its straightforward yet delicious ingredients. The aromatic duo of ginger and garlic are key—they infuse the rice with deep, savory flavors that really make the dish stand out.
Whether you're just beginning to explore cooking or you're already a seasoned chef, preparing Hainanese Chicken Rice is both enjoyable and rewarding. Let’s get ready to create this beloved dish!
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To make Hainanese Chicken Rice, you’ll need a mix of fresh produce, pantry essentials, and a few special Asian condiments. Let's see what they are below:
Ingredients for Hainanese Chicken and Rice
- Chicken: Opt for a whole chicken to get the most authentic flavor. If you’re serving fewer people, like just two, chicken thighs and drumsticks are excellent choices.
- Jasmine Rice: Essential for that signature fragrance and taste, jasmine rice really brings authenticity to the dish.
- Shallots: These are key for adding a layer of sweet yet sharp flavor, which is especially important for the dipping sauces.
- Ginger and Garlic: Crucial for giving both the chicken and the rice a warm, inviting aroma.
- Cucumber and Spring Onions: Add these fresh veggies for a crisp, refreshing contrast to the tender chicken and flavorful rice.
- Black Pepper: Perfect for adding a touch of spice, especially in the chicken soup or broth served alongside the dish.
- Sesame Oil: This infuses the meal with a deep, nutty essence, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
Ingredients for Dipping Sauces
- Soy Sauce (Light and Sweet): This provides the perfect balance of salty and umami flavors that are crucial for a well-rounded dipping sauce.
- Oyster Sauce: Adds a deep, savory richness that enhances the overall savoriness of your sauces.
- Sambal Oelek: This spicy chili paste delivers a satisfying heat, ideal for those who appreciate a bit of spice.
- Sriracha Sauce: Contributes a unique tangy and slightly sweet taste, adding complexity to your sauce profile.
- Vinegar (Rice or Regular): Essential for introducing a sharp, acidic touch that balances the richer flavors in the sauce.
- Brown Sugar: A touch of sweetness helps counteract the salt and heat, balancing the various flavors.
- Lemon Juice: Offers a burst of citrusy freshness, lifting up the overall flavor of the sauces.
- Aromatics (Ginger, Garlic, and Shallots): These are critical for adding depth and aromatic complexity to enhance the sauces.
How to Make Hainanese Chicken Rice at Home?
Join me in making Hainanese Chicken Rice with our easy visual guides. I’ll show you how to prepare tender chicken, aromatic rice, and zesty dipping sauces, making this beloved Singaporean dish simple and fun to cook. Let’s get started together!
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Hainanese Chicken Rice (Singapore Chicken Rice)
Ingredients
For Hainanese Chicken
- 3½ lb Whole Chicken
- 4 stalks Spring Onion
- 7 cloves Garlic
- 3 inch Ginger, chopped
- 10 cups Water, or enough to soak the chicken
- 6½ tsp Salt, divided to season chicken and soup water, or adjust to taste
- 2 tbsp Sesame Oil
- Ground Black Pepper , as needed for soup while serving
For Hainanese Rice
- 1½ cup Jasmine Rice, washed
- 2¼ cup Chicken Soup, chicken cooked water
- 1½ tbsp Garlic, chopped
- 1½ tbsp Ginger, chopped
- 1 tbsp Chicken Fat, chopped
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- Salt, to taste
For Chili Sauce
- 1 tbsp Onion, chopped
- 1 tsp Garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp Vinegar
- 3 tbsp Sambal Oelek
- 2 tbsp Sriracha Sauce
For Soy Dipping Sauce
- ½ tsp Ginger, chopped
- ½ tsp Garlic, chopped
- 2 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Sweet Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 tbsp Chicken Broth, broth from cooked chicken
For Ginger Garlic Sauce
- 1 tsp Garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp Ginger, chopped
- 1 tsp Vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp Sesame or Peanut Oil
Other Ingredients
- Cucumber Slices, for serving
- Fresh Coriander Leaves, for serving
Instructions
Preparing Hainanese Chicken
- Begin by drying the whole chicken with a clean kitchen towel. Trim any excess fat from the chicken and keep it aside for later use. Evenly rub salt over the chicken's skin to enhance the flavor. Next, season the inside with salt, garlic, and ginger, and fill the cavity with fresh spring onions to infuse it with additional flavor.
- Place the chicken in a large, deep pot over medium heat. Add enough water to completely submerge the chicken, seasoning the water lightly with salt to start building the flavor base. Bring the water to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. This helps cook the chicken evenly without toughening the meat. Cover the pot and let the chicken simmer gently for about 30 to 40 minutes or until it is thoroughly cooked. Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, use tongs and a spatula to gently lift it out of the pot. Remove the aromatics stuffed inside and set aside the flavorful broth for later use. To stop the cooking process, place the chicken in an ice bath for at least 5 minutes, turning it now and then to cool it evenly.
- Take the chicken out of the ice bath and pat it dry thoroughly using a clean kitchen towel. Next, drizzle some sesame oil over the chicken and gently rub it all over the surface. Set the chicken aside until it’s time to serve.
Preparing Hainanese Rice
- Begin by heating a pan over medium heat. Add some sesame oil, along with ginger, garlic, and the reserved chicken fat you set aside earlier. Sauté these ingredients until they're nicely aromatic and fragrant.
- Next, add jasmine rice to the pan. Sauté the rice well, ensuring it's well coated with the oil and aromatics. Then pour in the reserved chicken broth and mix everything together thoroughly.
- Wait for the mixture to come to a boil. As soon as it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pan with a lid and let the rice simmer. It should take about 25 to 30 minutes for the rice to cook and absorb all the water.
- Once the rice is cooked, remove the lid. Fluff the rice gently with a fork or a spatula. The rice is now ready and can be set aside until you're ready to serve.
Preparing Dipping Sauces
- Chili Sauce: Begin by gathering all the chili sauce ingredients in a bowl. Mix them vigorously to ensure the flavors meld beautifully. This will create a spicy and vibrant sauce perfect for adding a kick to the chicken.
- Soy Dipping Sauce: In another bowl, put together all the ingredients for the soy dipping sauce. Mix them well to ensure a smooth, savory complement to the chicken.
- Ginger Garlic Sauce: Finally, in a separate bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the ginger garlic sauce. Stir them well to ensure the ginger and garlic thoroughly blend into the sauce, enriching it with their robust flavors.
Serving
- Begin by slicing the poached Hainanese chicken into portions and placing it on a plate alongside fragrant Hainanese rice. Offer small bowls of chili sauce, soy dipping sauce, and ginger garlic sauce for dipping on the side. See serving suggestions for more.
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Quality Ingredients: Always use high-quality, fresh chicken, ginger, garlic, and jasmine rice. While jasmine rice is traditional, you can substitute it with white or basmati rice if you prefer.
- Cooking Temperature: Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, as recommended by the FDA, for both safety and optimal doneness.
- Ice Bath Technique: After poaching, place the chicken in an ice bath. This crucial step helps prevent overcooking and keeps the meat juicy.
- Flavorful Rice: For rice with more depth, sauté it in the fat reserved from the chicken. After cooking, fluff the rice gently with a fork or spatula to avoid clumps.
- Broth Utilization: Enhance the rice by cooking it in the broth used for the chicken, infusing it with rich, aromatic flavors.
- Sesame Oil Balance: Add sesame oil in moderation to avoid overwhelming the dish. Start with a small amount and adjust according to taste.
- Resting the Chicken: Allow the chicken to rest after the ice bath and before slicing to ensure it retains its moisture.
- Rice Preparation: Rinse the rice until the water runs clear to minimize excess starch, which helps achieve a fluffy texture.
- Proportional Spices: Tailor the ginger and garlic ratio to suit your taste preferences, whether you like more ginger or a richer garlic flavor.
- Condiments: Accompany the dish with freshly made chili and ginger sauces to enhance its authenticity.
- Garnishing: Add fresh coriander or green onions for a burst of freshness.
- Versatile Rice Cooking: Experiment with different methods of cooking rice, such as using a rice cooker, pot, or pressure cooker, to find your preferred texture.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Serving Suggestions
To serve this delectable Hainanese Chicken Rice, start by slicing the poached Hainanese chicken into serving portions. Arrange the chicken on a plate alongside fragrant Hainanese rice. Don't forget to provide small bowls of chili sauce, soy dipping sauce, and ginger garlic sauce on the side for dipping.
Serve a comforting bowl of chicken soup alongside the main dish. To add a refreshing touch, include a few slices of cucumber and a handful of fresh coriander leaves as garnish. Whether it's lunch, dinner, or a special occasion, this Hainanese Chicken Rice promises to satisfy your taste buds and leave you craving more. Enjoy the culinary journey!
Storage Suggestions
You can store Hainanese Chicken Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. It's important to always check the food for any signs of spoilage, such as an unusual odor or appearance, before consuming it. If you're unsure about the safety of the chicken and rice, it's best to discard it to avoid the risk of food poisoning.
Makayla Coley
Great recipe and instructions.
Sangeetha Vel
Glad to hear that. Thanks Makayla!