Ultimate Hainan Chicken Recipe – Authentic Asian Delight

Hainan Chicken – Ayam Rebus Hainan – Phak Cam Kee

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (preferably free-range, but broiler is also fine)
• Water, enough to fully submerge the chicken for boiling
• Ice water + ice cubes for chilling the chicken

Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons salt
• 5 stalks of green onions (use both the white and green parts)
• 5-6 cm ginger, peeled and smashed

Pouring Sauce (mix together):

• 3 tablespoons sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (preferably Cap Angsa brand)

Toppings:

• 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 5 cm ginger, peeled and julienned
• 3 tablespoons sesame oil

Additional:

• Fresh cilantro leaves, washed and cleaned

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Remove the head and feet of the chicken. Keep it whole, ensuring that all fine feathers are removed.
   • Rub the entire chicken with lime juice or vinegar to eliminate any unpleasant odor and slime. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
   • Rub the chicken all over with 2 tablespoons of salt, then rinse again.

2. Boil the Chicken:

   Related Articles

   • 
     Golden Spice Chicken Soup
   • 
     Crispy Chicken Katsu: Perfectly Breaded and Fried Chicken
   • 
     Golden Spiced Teflon Grilled Chicken
   • 
     Crispy Indonesian Spiced Fried Chicken
   • Insert the smashed ginger and green onions into the cavity of the chicken.
   • Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the chicken, ensuring it is completely submerged. Boil the chicken for approximately 30 minutes.
   • Remove the chicken from the boiling water and immediately place it into a container filled with ice water. Let it chill for about 5 minutes.

3. Shock the Chicken:

   • After chilling, remove the chicken from the ice water and place it back into the hot broth for another 5 minutes.
   • Transfer the chicken back to the ice water and leave it to cool completely. This process ensures that the chicken skin remains smooth and firm.

4. Prepare the Pouring Sauce:

   • Combine the sesame oil and soy sauce, mixing well.

5. Prepare the Toppings:

   • Fry the garlic and julienned ginger in sesame oil until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

6. Serve the Chicken:

   • Cut the chicken into pieces (deboning if necessary) and arrange them on a serving platter.
   • Drizzle the pouring sauce over the chicken, and sprinkle with the fried garlic and ginger.
   • Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.

Serving Suggestion:

• This dish is best enjoyed with Hainanese rice, which can be prepared using the leftover broth. Use the broth to cook the rice, adding salt and sesame oil for flavor.

Hainan Chicken, or Ayam Rebus Hainan – Phak Cam Kee, is a delightful and aromatic dish that brings the essence of traditional Asian flavors to your dining table. Enjoy the tender and succulent chicken, enhanced with the perfect blend of soy sauce and sesame oil, and complemented by the crunch of fried garlic and ginger. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or preparing a comforting meal for your family, this recipe is sure to impress.