Hainanese Chicken Rice
Malaysian

The crown jewel of Southeast Asian street food. Perfectly poached chicken with aromatic, oil-glittered rice.

Last updated: January 25, 2026
PREP
30
COOK
50
TOTAL
1h20m
14
0
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Preparation

Rub the chicken skin with salt to exfoliate and clean, then rinse thoroughly inside and out.

1 ea Whole Chicken3 g Salt

Stuff the cavity with ginger slices and scallions. Salt the interior lightly.

5 slices Ginger2 ea Spring onion3 g Salt

Slice the cucumber thinly.

0.5 pc Cucumber
Hainanese Fragrant Rice

Wash the rice until the water runs clear, then drain thoroughly.

384 g Jasmine Rice
Ginger & Spring Onion Oil

Grate the ginger and finely slice the spring onions.

30 g Grated ginger60 g Spring onion
Sweet Soy Sauce

Put the brown sugar, dark soy sauce and sesame oil into a bowl.

24 g Brown sugar60 ml Dark soy sauce10 ml Sesame Oil

Pour over with the chicken broth and mix well.

90 ml Chicken broth
MAIN RECIPE
Cooking
1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Submerge the chicken, breast-side up, and immediately lower heat to a bare simmer.

Finishing
2

Shock the chicken in an ice water bath for 5 minutes once cooked through (82°C / 180°F internal).

3

Drain and brush the skin with cooking oil to prevent drying.

30 ml Cooking oil
Assembly
4

Carve the poached chicken into bite-sized pieces, keeping the skin intact.

5

Arrange the chicken on a platter with cucumber.

Serving
6

Serve with a bowl of fragrant chicken rice and the side sauces.

HAINANESE FRAGRANT RICE
Sautéing
1

Heat chicken fat/oil in a pan. Sauté the minced garlic and ginger until fragrant and golden.

45 ml Chicken oil0.01 Garlic15 g Grated ginger
Sautéing
2

Add the drained rice and sauté for 2 minutes to coat every grain in the fragrant oil.

Cooking
3

Transfer to a rice cooker. Add the chicken broth.

480 ml Chicken broth
Cooking
4

Cook as normal and fluff with a fork once done.

CHILI SAUCE
1

Blend the chilies and garlic into a fine paste.

6 ea Red Chili6 cloves Garlic
2

Mix in the lime juice and salt.

30 ml Lime Juice3 g Salt
GINGER & SPRING ONION OIL
Infusing
1

Combine ginger, spring onion, and salt in a heat-proof bowl.

3 g Salt
Infusing
2

Heat the cooking oil and sesame oil until slightly smoking.

60 ml Cooking oil60 ml Sesame Oil
3

Carefully pour the hot oil over the aromatic mixture. Stir well and let cool.

Chef's Tips
  • The Ice Bath is Key: Shocking the chicken in ice water immediately after poaching creates that wonderful jelly-like layer under the skin.
  • Don't throw away that broth! Use the poaching water as a light soup on the side, just add a pinch of salt and some scallions.
  • The rice is everything: Sautéing the rice in chicken fat before boiling it in the broth is what creates that unforgettable pearl-like sheen and flavor.
  • Infuse the Oil: Fry the ginger and garlic in chicken fat until they are almost golden before adding the rice.