Discover the authentic Hainanese Chicken Rice recipe, a beloved Asian dish featuring tender poached chicken served with aromatic rice. Accompanied by flavorful garlic chili sauce and soy sauce, this dish offers a perfect blend of textures and tastes. Follow our step-by-step guide to recreate this iconic meal at home and impress your guests with a true taste of Southeast Asia.

Ingredients:

- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs)

- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced

- 6-8 cloves of garlic, crushed

- 2-3 stalks of green onions

- Salt (to taste)

- 1 cucumber, sliced (for garnish)

- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)

For the Rice:

- 2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed

- 2 tbsp chicken fat or vegetable oil

- 4 cloves garlic, minced

- 1-inch piece of ginger, minced

- 2 cups chicken broth (from poaching the chicken)

- 1 tsp sesame oil

- Salt (to taste)

For the Garlic Chili Sauce:

- 4 red chilies, chopped

- 4 cloves garlic, chopped

- 1 tbsp ginger, chopped

- 2 tbsp lime juice

- 2 tbsp chicken broth

- 1 tsp sugar

- Salt (to taste)

For the Soy Dipping Sauce:

- 4 tbsp light soy sauce

- 2 tbsp chicken broth

- 1 tsp sesame oil

- 1 tsp sugar

- 1 tsp ginger, finely grated

Instructions:

Poach the Chicken:

  - Clean the chicken and rub it with salt to remove any impurities. Rinse and pat dry.

  - In a large pot, bring enough water to cover the chicken to a boil. Add ginger, garlic, and green onions.

  - Carefully lower the chicken into the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. Poach for 40-50 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

  - Remove the chicken from the pot and place it in an ice bath to cool and firm up the skin. Reserve the broth for the rice and sauces.

Prepare the Rice:

  - In a large pan, heat the chicken fat or vegetable oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ginger, sauté until fragrant.

  - Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat the grains with the fragrant oil.

  - Pour in the chicken broth, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the rice is fluffy.

Make the Garlic Chili Sauce:

  - In a blender or food processor, combine red chilies, garlic, ginger, lime juice, chicken broth, sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Prepare the Soy Dipping Sauce:

  - In a small bowl, mix light soy sauce, chicken broth, sesame oil, sugar, and grated ginger until well combined.

Serve:

  - Slice the poached chicken and arrange it on a serving plate. Drizzle with a bit of sesame oil and soy sauce if desired.

  - Serve with fragrant rice on the side, along with garlic chili sauce and soy dipping sauce.

  - Garnish with cucumber slices and fresh cilantro.

Enjoy your homemade Hainanese Chicken Rice, a dish that brings together the comforting flavors of Southeast Asia!

Nutritional Values

Chicken

- Calories: 165

- Protein: 31g

- Fat: 3.6g

- Carbohydrates: 0g

- Cholesterol: 85mg

Benefits:

- High in protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.

- Low in carbohydrates, suitable for low-carb diets.

- Rich in B vitamins, supporting energy metabolism and overall health.

Jasmine Rice

- Calories: 130

- Protein: 2.7g

- Fat: 0.3g

- Carbohydrates: 28g

- Fiber: 0.4g

Benefits:

- Provides a good source of energy due to high carbohydrate content.

- Low in fat, aiding in balanced diet management.

- Easily digestible, making it suitable for sensitive digestive systems.

Garlic

- Calories: 149

- Protein: 6.4g

- Fat: 0.5g

- Carbohydrates: 33g

- Fiber: 2.1g

Benefits:

- Contains antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress.

- Boosts immune function and may help prevent illnesses.

- Possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation.

Ginger

- Calories: 80

- Protein: 1.8g

- Fat: 0.7g

- Carbohydrates: 18g

- Fiber: 2g

Benefits:

- Aids in digestion and alleviates nausea.

- Reduces muscle pain and joint inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

- Provides antioxidants that protect against cell damage.

Green Onions (Spring Onions)

- Calories: 32

- Protein: 1.8g

- Fat: 0.2g

- Carbohydrates: 7.3g

- Fiber: 2.6g

Benefits:

- High in vitamins A and C, which support immune health.

- Low in calories, assisting in weight management.

- Contains antioxidants that may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Soy Sauce

- Calories: 53

- Protein: 8g

- Fat: 0.1g

- Carbohydrates: 4.9g

- Sodium: 7,000mg

Benefits:

- Enhances flavor with umami, making dishes more appealing.

- Provides a small amount of protein.

- Contains antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress.

Lime Juice

- Calories: 30

- Protein: 0.2g

- Fat: 0.1g

- Carbohydrates: 10g

- Vitamin C: 29mg

Benefits:

- High in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and promotes healthy skin.

- Aids in digestion.

- Contains antioxidants that protect against free radical damage.

Sesame Oil

- Calories: 573

- Protein: 0g

- Fat: 49g

- Carbohydrates: 0g

Benefits:

- Contains healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

- Rich in antioxidants such as sesamolins and sesamin.

- Possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation.

Red Chilies

- Calories: 40

- Protein: 2g

- Fat: 0.4g

- Carbohydrates: 9g

- Vitamin C: 80mg

Benefits:

- High in vitamin C, supporting immune function and skin health.

- Increases metabolism due to capsaicin.

- Contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce pain and inflammation.

These ingredients contribute both flavor and nutritional benefits to the Hainanese Chicken Rice dish, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal.