Classic Hainan Chicken Rice with Ginger Sauce

Hainan Chicken Rice

Hainan Chicken Rice is a delightful and fragrant dish that brings the comforting flavors of Southeast Asia right to your kitchen. This recipe will guide you through making the aromatic rice and succulent chicken, complemented by a savory ginger sauce that perfectly ties everything together. Here’s how to prepare this classic dish:

Ingredients:

For the Rice:

• 250 grams of rice
• 500 ml chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 4 tablespoons cooking oil

For the Spice Paste:

• 4 cloves garlic
• 10 grams ginger
• 10 grams galangal
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Chicken:

• 500 grams chicken breast
• 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 15 grams ginger, smashed
• Chicken stock (from boiling the chicken)
• 1 stalk green onion, whole

For the Ginger Sauce:

• 10 grams ginger, smashed
• 200 ml chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • In a large pot, combine the chicken, 1000 ml of water, and the whole green onion. Bring to a boil and let the chicken cook until tender and fully cooked.

2. Make the Rice:

   • Heat 4 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan. Sauté the spice paste (garlic, ginger, galangal, and salt) until fragrant and cooked through.
   • Add the washed rice to the pan, stirring to coat the rice with the spice paste.
   • Pour in the chicken stock (from step 1) and sesame oil. Stir to combine, then cook until the rice is almost dry. Turn off the heat.
   • Transfer the rice mixture to a steamer and steam for about 30 minutes, or until fully cooked. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Prepare the Ginger Sauce:

   • In a pan, sauté the smashed ginger until aromatic.
   • Add the chicken stock and soy sauce, and bring to a boil. Simmer until the sauce has reduced slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.

4. Cook the Chicken:

   • Return the chicken to the pot, adding a bit of the reserved chicken stock (approximately 200-250 ml), along with the smashed ginger, salt, sugar, and sesame oil. Cook until the flavors meld and the chicken is seasoned to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.

5. Serving:

   • On a serving plate, place a portion of rice. Arrange slices of the cooked chicken on top. Garnish with chopped green onion and drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons of the ginger sauce. Serve with sambal (chili paste) if desired.

6. Enjoy:

   • Your Hainan Chicken Rice is ready to be enjoyed. This dish is perfect for a comforting meal and is sure to impress with its rich flavors and satisfying texture.

Happy Cooking! 😃

Enjoy your homemade Hainan Chicken Rice with family and friends. The combination of tender chicken, fragrant rice, and savory ginger sauce makes for a truly delightful meal.