Enjoy the taste of Southeast Asia with our Hainanese Chicken Rice recipe. This easy yet delicious dish comes from China and brings together soft poached chicken and jasmine rice, cooked in tasty chicken broth. Served with classic sauces, it's more than just a meal – it's a journey through wonderful flavors and smells, loved from Hainan to Singapore and beyond.
Start by patting the whole chicken dry with a clean kitchen towel. Remove any chicken fat and set it aside for later use. Rub the skin of the chicken evenly with salt. Then, season the inside with salt, garlic, and ginger, and place some fresh spring onions inside the cavity.
Place the chicken in a deep and wide pot over medium heat. Add enough water to completely cover the chicken. Add some salt to the water and bring it to a boil.
Once the water starts boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot with a lid. Let the chicken cook for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until it's fully cooked. Use a kitchen thermometer to check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
After the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the pot using tongs and a spatula. Take out the aromatics from inside the chicken and keep the chicken soup for later use. Place the chicken in an ice bath for at least 5 minutes, turning it occasionally to prevent it from cooking further.
Remove the chicken from the ice bath and dry it thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel. Drizzle sesame oil over the chicken and massage it all over. Set the chicken aside until you're ready to serve.
To Make Hainanese Rice
Start by heating a pan over medium heat. Add sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and the reserved chicken fat. Sauté these ingredients until they become 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 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.
To Make the Dipping Sauces
Take a bowl and combine all the ingredients listed for the chili sauce. Mix them well to ensure that the flavors blend together seamlessly.
In a separate bowl, add all the ingredients specified for the soy dipping sauce. Stir them together thoroughly to create a harmonious blend.
Finally, in another bowl, combine all the ingredients for the ginger garlic sauce. Mix them well so that the ginger and garlic flavors infuse the sauce effectively.
To Serve
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.
Notes
Hainanese Chicken Rice Tips for a Perfect Dish:
Quality Ingredients: Opt for high-quality, fresh chicken, ginger, garlic, and jasmine rice. While jasmine rice is traditional, feel free to substitute with white or basmati rice if preferred.
Cooking Temperature: Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, as recommended by the FDA, for safety and optimal cooking.
Ice Bath Technique: After poaching, immerse the chicken in an ice bath. This step is crucial to prevent overcooking and maintain juicy meat.
Flavorful Rice: Enhance the rice by sautéing it in reserved chicken fat. After cooking, fluff it gently with a fork or spatula to prevent clumps.
Broth Utilization: Cook the rice in the chicken-cooking broth to infuse it with rich, aromatic flavors.
Sesame Oil Balance: Use sesame oil judiciously to avoid overpowering the dish. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
Resting the Chicken: Allow the chicken to rest after the ice bath and before slicing to retain its moisture.
Rice Preparation: Rinse the rice until the water runs clear to reduce excess starch, ensuring a fluffy texture.
Proportional Spices: Adjust the ginger and garlic ratio according to your preference, whether you favor a ginger-forward or garlic-rich taste.
Condiments: Serve with freshly made chili and ginger sauces for an authentic taste.
Garnishing: Garnish with fresh coriander or green onions for a burst of freshness.
Versatile Rice Cooking: Experiment with various rice-cooking methods like a rice cooker, pot, or pressure cooker, to discover your preferred texture.