Print

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice
Print Recipe

Hainanese Chicken Rice is a beloved Southeast Asian dish featuring tender poached chicken served with fragrant jasmine rice cooked in rich chicken broth. This recipe celebrates simplicity and depth of flavor, combining moist chicken, aromatic oily rice, fresh cucumber slices, and flavorful dipping sauces for a comforting and healthy meal enjoyed across generations.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Poaching Ingredients

  • 1 Whole Chicken (fresh, about 3–4 lbs)
  • 5–6 slices Fresh Ginger
  • 4 Spring Onions (scallions), halved

Rice Ingredients

  • 2 cups Jasmine Rice
  • 3–4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 3–4 slices Fresh Ginger
  • 2 tablespoons Rendered Chicken Fat or Oil
  • 3 cups Chicken Broth

Garnishes and Accompaniments

  • Sesame Oil (for drizzling)
  • 1 Cucumber, sliced thinly
  • Chili Sauce (to taste)
  • Soy Sauce (dark, for dipping)
  • Additional Spring Onions, finely chopped (for garnish)

Sauces

  • Chili Paste: chili, garlic, lime juice, salt
  • Ginger-Scallion Oil: finely chopped ginger, scallions, neutral oil, salt
  • Dark Soy Sauce: simple dark soy sauce for dipping

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Chicken: Cleanse the whole chicken thoroughly. Poach gently in simmering water with ginger slices and spring onions for about 40-50 minutes, keeping the temperature just below boiling to maintain tender, moist meat. Once cooked, immediately plunge the chicken into an ice water bath to firm the skin and lock in juiciness.
  2. Cooking the Rice: Rinse jasmine rice until water runs clear. In a pan, sauté minced garlic and ginger in rendered chicken fat until fragrant. Add the rinsed rice and stir briefly to coat. Cook the rice in simmering chicken broth until fluffy and each grain is infused with rich flavor.
  3. Making the Sauces: Prepare the chili paste by blending fresh chili, garlic, lime juice, and salt until smooth. For the ginger-scallion oil, gently warm neutral oil and pour over finely chopped ginger and scallions, then season with salt. Have simple dark soy sauce ready for dipping.
  4. Plating and Garnishing: Slice the poached chicken into bite-sized pieces and drizzle sesame oil over the top. Serve over the aromatic jasmine rice. Arrange fresh cucumber slices on the side and offer the prepared sauces alongside. Garnish with additional chopped spring onions or cilantro as desired.

Notes

  • Use fresh, never frozen, chicken for best texture and flavor.
  • Keep water at a gentle simmer, do not boil the chicken to avoid tough meat.
  • Rest the chicken in ice water immediately after poaching to firm the skin and lock in moisture.
  • Render chicken fat from skin to fry rice for authentic richness.
  • Season broth gradually and taste frequently to maintain balance.
  • Serve fresh for the most vibrant aroma and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hainanese Chicken Rice, Poached Chicken, Jasmine Rice, Southeast Asian Dish, Comfort Food, Healthy Chicken Recipe

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/hainanese-chicken-rice/