Cook Delicious Hainanese Chicken Rice at Home!
What is Hainanese Chicken Rice?
Hainanese Chicken Rice (Hainanese:海南鸡饭) is a dish of Chinese origin, originally from Hainan province in the southern part of China. It is a popular Chinese dish in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The dish consists of poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken fat and stock, and accompanied by a spicy dipping sauce and garnished with cucumber and fresh herbs.
How to Cook Hainanese Chicken Rice
Cooking Hainanese Chicken Rice is relatively easy and simple. You will need the following ingredients: whole chicken, garlic, ginger, pandan leaves, white pepper, salt, sugar, sesame oil, and jasmine rice.
Step 1: Cooking the Rice
To begin, rinse the jasmine rice until the water runs clear. Then, transfer the rice to a pot, add an equal amount of water, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and fluffy.
Step 2: Preparing the Chicken
While the rice is cooking, prepare the chicken by rubbing it with a mixture of garlic, ginger, white pepper, salt, and sesame oil. Place the chicken in a large pot and add enough water to cover it. Add two pandan leaves to the water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 3: Finishing the Rice
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and set aside. To the same pot, add the cooked jasmine rice, a pinch of salt, and a teaspoon of sugar. Pour the chicken stock from the chicken pot into the rice, and stir to combine. Cook over low heat until the rice is completely cooked and fragrant.
Step 4: Serving the Hainanese Chicken Rice
Once the rice is cooked, you can serve the Hainanese Chicken Rice with the poached chicken, cucumber slices, and a spicy chili dipping sauce. Enjoy!