Hainanese Chicken Rice: Know How to Cook the Best Fried Rice

The Hainanese chicken rice is a tasty dish and you must by all means know how to make it. This is because the Hainanese chicken rice is known to merge in all the flavours that exist in the universe. This means that its not a basic chicken thighs and rice recipe and it is also not a basic rice hack recipe.

However, it is the most beautiful outcome when chicken meets rice. This is why Hainanese chicken rice is loved by a lot of people. Apart from that, the Hainanese chicken rice is best because of the Hainan chicken. Thus, you must know how to make it.

About the History of the Hainanese Chicken Recipe

The Hainanese people had began immigrating to Singapore in the 1800s. Along with it, they had also brought with them a meal called Wenchang chicken. This type of chicken is believed to be what this dish is based on.

The Hainanese immigrants are known to have worked for British colonists. This was done until the Japanese occupation in the 1940s. Especially, when they had to find new ways to earn a living earnestly. This was when the first Hainan chicken rice restaurant is said to have had opened in Singapore.

About the Hainanese Chicken Rice

This chicken rice is deceptively known to be quite simple. However, the Hainanese chicken rice does not want and is not all in for flavour, or for packing chicken goodness into the silky poached meat. It is also not in for fragrant rice.

Plus, some tangy chilli sauce and often some cucumber garnishes must be added on it. This Hainanese chicken rice is served at hawker centres. Especially across the city-state, and along with it, it also pops up on menus in restaurants and hotels.

More on Hainanese Chicken Rice…

While the price and the Hainan chicken recipe may vary on a large basis, one thing about it remains the same. This means that the Hainanese chicken rice is a Singaporean comfort food and is the best of all the dishes that is presented to all.

How is the Hainan Chicken Recipe Made?

The Hainanese chicken rice should be made smooth. Some even term the Hainanese chicken rice to be “slurpable”. This is because it has in it a layer of jelly-like fat which is beneath the skin. The process to ethereal perfection starts with steeping in a whole chicken in boiling water. This is to be done until it is fully cooked.

Afterwards, the bird is plunged into an icy bath thoroughly. This helps in locking in the flavour while keeping the meat tender and thus, helps to effectively preserve the skin. It is hung to dry before the chicken is cut into bite-sized slices. You will spot these hanging in a row at local food stalls in Singapore.

Ingredients of the Hainanese Chicken Rice

Following is the list of ingredients that are quite useful with regard to making the Hainanese chicken rice. Check it out thoroughly:

1. Whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs)
2. Salt (for rubbing the chicken)
3. Ginger (2-3 slices)
4. Garlic (2-3 cloves, smashed)
5. Green onions/scallions (a few stalks)
6. Jasmine rice (2 cups)
7. Chicken broth (from poaching the chicken, about 4 cups)
8. Garlic (2-3 cloves, minced)
9. Ginger (1-inch piece, minced)
10. Cooking oil (2-3 tablespoons)
11. Salt (to taste)
12. Chili Sauce
13. Fresh red chilies (2-3, chopped)
14. Garlic (1 clove, minced)
15. Ginger (1-inch piece, minced)
16. Lime juice (2 tablespoons)
17. Sugar (1 teaspoon)
18. Salt (to taste)
19. Water (to adjust consistency)
20. Soy sauce (3-4 tablespoons)
21. Sesame oil (1-2 teaspoons)
22. Sugar (1 teaspoon)
23. Chopped green onions (for garnish)
24. Cucumber slices
25. Fresh cilantro
26. Lime wedges
27. Chicken fat (rendered from the chicken for added flavor in the rice)

Preparation of the Hainanese Chicken Rice

The preparation of the Hainanese chicken rice is quite simple and tasty. Thus, you should quickly look at the manual below:

1. Rinse the whole chicken under cold water.
2. Pat the chicken dry.
3. Now, rub salt all over the chicken, including inside the cavity.
4. Stuff the chicken cavity with slices of ginger, smashed garlic cloves, and with a few stalks of green onions too.
5. Place the chicken in a large pot.
6. Cover it with cold water.
7. Add additional ginger, garlic, and green onions to the pot.
8. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce it to a gentle simmer.
9. Cook for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Make sure the internal temperature should reach around 165°F/75°C.
10. Skim off any foam that forms on the surface.
11. Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the pot.
12. Afterward, submerge it in an ice bath, which is a bowl of cold water with ice, for about 10 minutes. This stops the cooking process and helps to firm up the skin.
13. Strain the chicken broth into a separate pot, as this will be used for the rice and for serving.
14. Rinse 2 cups of jasmine rice under cold water.
15. Do this until the water runs clear and drain it well.
16. In a large pot or rice cooker.
17. Heat around 2-3 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat.
18. Add a lot of minced garlic and ginger and keep sautéing it until fragrant for about 1-2 minutes.
19. Add the rinsed rice to the pot.
20. Stir it thoroughly to coat the rice with the oil and aromatics.

Some More Important Steps of Preparation

1. Cook it for about two to three minutes until the rice is slightly translucent.
2. Pour in about 4 cups of the reserved chicken broth or enough to cover the rice by about an inch.
3. Add salt to taste.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and cover.
5. Let it simmer for about fifteen to twenty minutes until the rice is cooked and fluffy.
6. For the chili sauce, combine lots of chopped red chilies, minced garlic, minced ginger, lime juice, sugar, and salt in a blender.
7. Blend them until it is smooth and adjust the consistency with water if needed.
8. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and chopped green onions for the soy sauce mixture together, and afterward, set it aside.
9. Serve the sliced chicken over a bed of rice. This is to be garnished with cucumber slices and fresh cilantro.
10. Serve the chicken rice with bowls of chili sauce and add the soy sauce mixture on the side, along with the lime wedges too.
11. Enjoy your homemade special chicken rice now!

Nutrient Figure

Below given are some of the nutitional figures that are associated deeply with the Hainanese chicken rice. This will help you know more thoroughly about the Hainanese chicken rice.

Plus, you can learn about the health benefits of Hainanese chicken rice by looking at the nutritional figures. Thus, go on and know more about the Hainanese chicken rice:

1. Calories: 600
2. Protein: 35g
3. Total Fat: 20g
4. Saturated Fat: 5g
5. Trans Fat: 0g
6. Cholesterol: 100mg
7. Carbohydrates: 70g
8. Dietary Fiber: 1g
9. Sugars: 1g
10. Sodium: 800mg
11. Potassium: 500mg
12. Calcium: 20mg
13. Iron: 1.5mg
14. Vitamin A: 200 IU
15. Vitamin C: 2mg
16. Vitamin B6: 0.5mg
17. Vitamin B12: 1.5µg
18. Magnesium: 30mg
19. Zinc: 2mg
20. Folate: 30µg
21. Phosphorus: 200mg
22. Selenium: 20µg

Tips for Making the Best Hainanese Chicken Rice

Below are certain secret tips for making the best Hainanese rice. Check these out thoroughly:

1. Choose a fresh, free-range chicken to bring in better flavor and texture.
2. Consider bringing in the chicken in a saltwater solution for a few hours before you do the cooking.
3. Add some extra ginger and garlic to the poaching water for more flavor.
4. After poaching, immediately place the chicken in an ice bath. This will keep the skin firm and juicy.
5. Save and render the chicken fat for added flavor to the rice.
6. Lightly toast the jasmine rice in the oil before adding the broth.
7. Use the broth from poaching the chicken, as you will have to cook the rice for extra flavor.
8. Balance the chili sauce and soy sauce mixture to thoroughly complement the chicken.
9. Serve with fresh garnishes like that of the cucumber slices, cilantro, and lime wedges.
10. Allow the cooked chicken to rest briefly before slicing to retain juices.

Conclusion

Thus, this is all you should know about the Hainanese chicken rice. The Hainanese chicken rice, by all means, is very tasty. Thus, you should make it in the tastiest manner possible and feed it to your loved ones.

FAQ’S

Is the Hainanese chicken rice good?

Ans: Yes. It is good.

Is the Hainanese chicken rice tasty?

Ans: Yes. It is tasty.

Is the chicken Hainanese rice nutritious?

Ans: Yes. It is nutritious.

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