Hainanese Chicken Rice is a delicious and aromatic dish from Hainan province, China. It consists of poached chicken served with fragrant jasmine rice cooked in chicken broth. This Hainanese Chicken Rice is a popular dish throughout Southeast Asia and is often served with various condiments such as chili sauce, soy sauce, and cucumber slices for both lunch and dinner.
It is one of the best rice recipes popular for its simplicity, yet delicate and delicious flavors. Hainanese Chicken Rice is considered a national dish in Singapore and it is referred to as Singaporean Chicken Rice.
The recipe shared here provides step-by-step instructions on how to make Hainanese Chicken Rice with easy step-by-step instructions. A detailed video is also provided to make the cooking process even more accessible and visually clear.
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What is Hainanese Chicken Rice?
Hainanese Chicken Rice is a dish that is popular for its delectable flavor profile and simple yet rich ingredients. Originating from the Hainan province of China, this dish is made up of poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth and seasoned with ginger, and garlic. This dish is often served with a variety of condiments such as chili sauce, soy sauce, and cucumber slices, which enhance the flavor of the dish even further.
Hainanese Chicken Rice is a popular dish throughout Southeast Asia and is a national dish in Singapore. It is one of the best rice recipes attributed to its mouth-watering taste and its ability to serve at any time of the day. This dish is often considered a staple in many households due to its ease of preparation and the availability of its ingredients. Whether it's for a special occasion or a regular lunch or dinner, Hainanese Chicken Rice is always a great option.
For those looking to try something different for their weekend chicken dinner, Hainanese Chicken Rice is one of the best Asian recipes to experiment with. What makes it even better is that you can easily make it at home without compromising the authentic flavor. It is a dish that is perfect for everyone, regardless of culinary expertise, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So, the next time you're in the mood for a delicious meal, give Hainanese Chicken Rice a try!
Also, see Roasted Whole Chicken for a different whole chicken recipe.
Ingredients & Substitutions
To prepare Hainanese Chicken and Rice, you will need a range of basic kitchen staples, fresh produce, and a selection of Asian sauces. So let's see what are they below.
For Hainanese Chicken and Rice
Below are the ingredients required to make Hainanese Chicken and Rice:
- Chicken: Authentic recipe is made with a whole chicken and delivers a savory and juicy taste. But if you are cooking for 2 people you can also start with cut chicken thighs and drumsticks
- Jasmine rice: It is a fragrant and aromatic rice that is typically used for making Hainanese rice
- Shallots: Delivers sweet and slightly pungent flavor. It is used for making the dipping sauces
- Ginger and garlic: Delivers warm and aromatic flavor to your chicken as well as to your rice
- Cucumber and spring onions: Delivers refreshing crunch and mild flavor. And is usually served as a topping
- Black pepper: Delivers subtle spiciness to your chicken soup or broth. I recommend adding to the soup while serving
- Sesame Oil - Gives an earthy and rustic flavor to your dish
For Dipping Sauces
Below are the ingredients required to make Dipping Sauces:
- Soy sauce (both light and sweet): Renders salty and umami flavor
- Oyster sauce: To give rich and savory taste
- Sambal oelek: Spicy chili paste that adds heat to the dish
- Sriracha sauce: To add tangy and slightly sweet flavor
- Vinegar: Delivers sour and acidic taste. You can use rice or regular vinegar for your sauce
- Brown sugar: Sweetness that balances out the flavors of your sauce
- Lemon juice: To give citrusy and tangy flavor to the sauce
- Aromatics - Ginger, garlic, and shallots add depth and complexity to the sauces
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Hainanese Chicken Rice at Home?
The recipe I have shared here is Hainanese Chicken Rice, a popular dish from Hainan, China, and staple food in Southeast Asia. The dish typically consists of poached chicken served with aromatic rice cooked in chicken broth. It is often accompanied by various condiments such as chili sauce, soy sauce, and cucumber slices. The dish is popular for its simplicity, yet delicate and delicious flavors.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
Prep Hainanese Chicken
- Prep the Chicken - Begin by patting dry the whole chicken with a clean chicken towel and removing and reserving the chicken fat for later use
- Season - Then, season the chicken with salt by rubbing it all over the chicken skin. Next, season the cavity with salt, garlic, and ginger, and insert some fresh spring onions
- Add chicken to pot - In a deep and wide pot over medium heat, place the chicken and add enough water to immerse the chicken in water
- Season water - Season the water with salt and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and close the pot with its lid
- Cook - Cook the chicken for 30 to 40 minutes or until the chicken is well-cooked. Make sure to check that the chicken reaches the safest internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit using a kitchen thermometer
- Remove the chicken - After cooking, remove the chicken from the pot using tongs and a spatula. Discard the aromatics from the cavity and reserve the soup for later use
- Ice bath - Ice bath the poached chicken for at least 5 minutes by flipping it a few times to avoid further cooking
- Pat dry - Remove the chicken from the ice bath and pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel on both sides
- Oil massage - Pour sesame oil onto the poached chicken and massage it all over. Reserve the chicken for later use
Prep Hainanese Rice
- Saute the aromatics - Heat a pan with medium heat and pour sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and reserved chicken fat. Saute until it turns aromatic
- Add Rice - Then, add jasmine rice and give it a good saute
- Boil - Pour chicken broth and give it a good mix. Allow the mixture to boil and reduce the heat to low, and close the lid of the pan
- Simmer and cook - Simmer the rice for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the water is absorbed well
- Fluff - Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork or spatula and reserve it for later use
Prepare Dipping Sauces
Below are the popular dipping sauces for Hainanese Chicken Rice that are usually served with the platter. Let's see how to make it.
Chili Sauce
Add all the ingredients mentioned under chili sauce in the recipe card to a bowl and mix well. This is a quick dipping sauce for Hainanese Chicken Rice but I also have a separate post on making Chili Sauce from scratch in this blog. Feel free to check if you are interested in it.
Soy Dipping Sauce
Add all the ingredients mentioned under soy dipping sauce in the recipe card to a bowl and mix well.
Ginger Garlic Sauce
Add all the ingredients mentioned under Ginger Garlic sauce in the recipe card to a bowl and mix well.
Tips
- Ingredients - Use high-quality ingredients, including fresh chicken, ginger, garlic, and jasmine rice. Even though the authentic recipe is made with jasmine rice, you can also try white rice or basmati rice if that is handy for you
- Perfect temperature - Make sure to cook the chicken to the right internal temperature of 165°F to ensure that it is safe to eat
- The ice bath is a must - Allow the poached chicken to rest in an ice bath to prevent overcooking and to keep the meat juicy
- Chicken fat - Use reserved chicken fat to sauté the rice for added flavor, and be sure to fluff the cooked rice with a fork or spatula to prevent clumping
- Sesame Oil - Sesame oil is an essential ingredient in Hainanese chicken and rice, but it's important not to use too much as it can overpower the dish. Start with a small amount and adjust according to your preference
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.
Serving Suggestions
Serve cut the poached Hainanese chicken and serve it with Hainanese rice, chili sauce, soy dipping sauce, ginger garlic sauce, and chicken soup, along with a few slices of cucumber and coriander leaves. This Hainanese Chicken Rice is a satisfying meal for lunch, dinner, or any special occasion.
Related Recipes
You could also find similar rice recipes below and more at chicken recipes, Chinese recipes, and one-pot meal recipes.
- Chicken and Rice (one pot)
- Baked Chicken and Rice
- Chicken and Rice Soup
- Fried Rice
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Shrimp Fried Rice
- Nasi Goreng
- Chicken Biryani
- Mughlai Chicken Biryani
- Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice
Hainanese Chicken Rice Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Hainanese Chicken Rice below that I hope will help you make a popular Singapore dish at home. You can also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
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
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
To make Hainanese Chicken
- Begin by patting dry the whole chicken with a clean kitchen towel and removing and reserving the chicken fat for later use. Then, season the chicken with salt by rubbing it all over the chicken skin. Next, season the cavity with salt, garlic, and ginger, and insert some fresh spring onions
- In a deep and wide pot over medium heat, place the chicken and add enough water to immerse the chicken. Season the water with salt and bring it to a boil
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and close the pot with its lid. Cook the chicken for 30 to 40 minutes or until the chicken is well-cooked, making sure to check that the chicken reaches the safest internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit using a kitchen thermometer
- After cooking, remove the chicken from the pot using tongs and a spatula. Discard the aromatics from the cavity and reserve the soup for later use. Ice bath the poached chicken for at least 5 minutes by flipping it a few times to avoid further cooking
- Remove the chicken from the ice bath and pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel on both sides. Pour sesame oil onto the poached chicken and give it a good massage all over. Reserve the chicken for later use
To make Hainanese Rice
- Heat a pan with medium heat and pour sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and reserved chicken fat. Saute until it turns aromatic
- Then, add jasmine rice and give it a good saute. Pour chicken broth and give it a good mix
- Allow the mixture to boil. Once the mixture comes to a boil reduce the heat to low
- Close the lid of the pan and simmer the rice for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the water is absorbed well
- Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork or spatula and reserve it for later use
To make the Dipping Sauces
- For the Chili Sauce, add all the ingredients mentioned under chili sauce to a bowl and mix well
- For the Soy Dipping Sauce, add all the ingredients mentioned under soy dipping sauce to a bowl and mix well
- For the Ginger Garlic Sauce, add all the ingredients mentioned under Ginger Garlic sauce to a bowl and mix well
To Serve
- Cut the poached Hainanese chicken and serve it with Hainanese rice, chili sauce, soy dipping sauce, ginger garlic sauce, and chicken soup, along with a few slices of cucumber and coriander leaves. This Hainanese Chicken Rice is a satisfying meal for both lunch and dinner or any special occasion
Video
Notes
- Ingredients - Use high-quality ingredients, including fresh chicken, ginger, garlic, and jasmine rice. Even though the authentic recipe is made with jasmine rice, you can also try white rice or basmati rice if that is handy for you
- Perfect temperature - Make sure to cook the chicken to the right internal temperature of 165°F to ensure that it is safe to eat
- The ice bath is a must - Allow the poached chicken to rest in an ice bath to prevent overcooking and to keep the meat juicy
- Chicken fat - Use reserved chicken fat to sauté the rice for added flavor, and be sure to fluff the cooked rice with a fork or spatula to prevent clumping
- Sesame Oil - Sesame oil is an essential ingredient in Hainanese chicken and rice, but it's important not to use too much as it can overpower the dish. Start with a small amount and adjust according to your preference
Nutrition
FAQ
Hainanese Chicken Rice is a popular dish from Hainan, China, and a staple in Southeast Asia, especially in Singapore, where it is considered a national dish. It consists of poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth and seasoned with ginger, garlic, and pandan leaves. The dish is popular for its simple yet delicious flavors and can be accompanied by various condiments such as chili sauce, soy sauce, and cucumber slices. It is a comforting and versatile dish that can be easily prepared at home.
Hainanese Chicken Rice is known for its delicate yet flavorful taste. The chicken is tender and moist from the poaching process and is seasoned with a mix of garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. The rice is cooked in chicken broth, which gives it a subtle and fragrant flavor. The overall taste of the dish is a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet, with hints of aromatic herbs and spices.
To enjoy Hainanese chicken rice, start by placing a portion of chicken and rice on a plate. You can then add soy sauce, ginger garlic sauce, and chili sauce to the chicken to give it some extra flavor. Garnish the plate with cucumber slices and fresh coriander or parsley for added freshness. When eating, try to take bites of both the chicken and rice together to fully experience the dish's delicate and delicious flavors.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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