Hainanese Chicken Rice

6 servings

120 minutes

Hainanese chicken rice is a legendary dish of Chinese cuisine originating from Hainan province but has become popular far beyond its borders. This dish embodies the harmony of flavor and texture: tender chicken infused with the aromas of ginger and scallions contrasts with airy rice fried in chicken fat. The presentation is complemented by fresh cucumber slices and a spicy garlic-chili sauce. A unique feature is cooling the boiled chicken in ice water, making its skin firm and shiny. This dish not only satisfies hunger but also provides a sense of comfort and home warmth. It is perfect for both family dinners and festive gatherings where the balance of flavors and elegance of presentation are appreciated.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 640.2
• Proteins: 44.3g
• Fats: 35.5g
• Carbohydrates: 36.6g

Ingredients

• Shallots: 4 pc
• Chicken: 1 pc
• White peppercorns: 15 g
• Ginger: 50 g
• Salt: to taste
• Rice: 1 glass
• Garlic: 6 clove
• Sweet chili sauce: 3 tbsp
• Red chili pepper: to taste
• Cucumbers: 5 pc

Cooking steps

1. We trim the fat from the chicken and set it aside.

2. We bring a large pot of water to a boil.

3. We fill the chicken with whole heads of peeled shallots and slices of peeled ginger. The chicken can be sewn or secured with toothpicks to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.

   Required ingredients:

   • Shallots: 4 pieces
   • Ginger: 50 g

4. We put the chicken in boiling water, add a few white peppercorns, salt, and reduce the heat. The chicken should not boil while cooking, so medium heat is suitable.

   Required ingredients:

   • Chicken: 1 piece
   • White peppercorns: 15 g
   • Salt:  to taste

5. After about 40-50 minutes, the chicken is ready: we take it out of the broth and place it in an ice water bath for 10 minutes. Then we take it out and slice it into strips.

6. Heat the pan, melt chicken fat in it, and fry the finely chopped garlic.

   Required ingredients:

   • Chicken: 1 piece
   • Garlic: 6 cloves

7. We pour in the rice and fry it until golden brown.

   Required ingredients:

   • Rice: 1 glass

8. Pour chicken broth over the rice, cover with a lid, and cook on low heat until done.

   Required ingredients:

   • Rice: 1 glass
   • Chicken: 1 piece

9. For the sauce, mix two minced garlic cloves, sweet chili sauce, a bit of chili pepper, and two tablespoons of chicken broth.

   Required ingredients:

   • Garlic: 6 cloves
   • Sweet chili sauce: 3 tablespoons
   • Red chili pepper:  to taste
   • Chicken: 1 piece

10. We peel the cucumbers, cut them into strips lengthwise, and place them on a plate with chicken.

    Required ingredients:

    • Cucumbers: 5 piece