Description
Malaysian Hainanese Chicken Rice is a comforting national dish featuring succulent poached chicken and fragrant rice cooked in aromatic broth, served with flavorful sauces.
Ingredients
4 whole chicken legs (thighs & drumsticks)
1 large knob ginger, sliced
4–5 cloves garlic, smashed
2 stalks green onio
1 tbsp salt
Enough water to submerge
2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch ginger, minced
2 cups reserved chicken broth
1 tbsp chicken fat or neutral oil
1 tsp salt
Fresh red chilies, ginger, garlic, lime, salt (for chili sauce)
Soy sauce & sesame oil (for dipping sauce)
Instructions
- Poach the chicken: In a large pot, submerge chicken legs with sliced ginger, smashed garlic, green onion, and salt. Bring to boil, then reduce to bare simmer. Cover and cook 25-30 minutes
- Prepare chicken: Remove chicken and plunge into ice water to stop cooking and create silky texture. Reserve the broth
- Cook rice: Sauté minced garlic and ginger in chicken fat or oil until fragrant. Add rinsed rice and toast for 1 minute. Pour in 2 cups reserved broth and salt. Cook covered until done
- Prepare sauces: Blend chilies with ginger, garlic, lime, and salt for chili sauce. Mix soy sauce with sesame oil for dipping sauce
- Serve: Plate chicken with rice, accompanied by sauces, clear broth soup, and optional cucumber and tomato slices
Notes
Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for maximum flavor and juiciness.
Do not let broth boil vigorously after initial boil – gentle simmer is key.
Ice bath step is essential for perfect chicken texture.
Toast rice in aromatics before adding broth for iconic flavor.
Store components separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Poaching and Sautéing
- Cuisine: Malaysian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: chicken, rice, Malaysian, comfort food