Hello, welcome to my beautiful world! My name is Prisca Bush. I am a food lover; I enjoy writing about my favorite recipes.

Introduction

Every cuisine has its signature comfort dish—something warm, nostalgic, simple, and deeply satisfying. For me, that dish has always been this Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe. I still remember the first time I tasted it while traveling in Southeast Asia. I was wandering through a bustling food market, drawn by the aroma of chicken broth, ginger, and fragrant rice floating through the air.

I sat down at a tiny table in a busy hawker center in Singapore and ordered what looked like the simplest plate of food: poached chicken, rice, and a few dipping sauces. Very unassuming. But that very first bite—tender, silky chicken; perfectly seasoned rice cooked in broth; a zing of ginger-scallion sauce; and a spicy chili dip—was unforgettable.

It was comfort food, but elevated. Light, yet full of flavor. Nourishing, yet indulgent. Ever since then, this Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe has become a dish I make whenever I want something soothing, wholesome, and impressive without being fussy.

Today, I’m sharing a full, step-by-step Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe you can easily recreate at home. It’s authentic, approachable, and packed with flavor—perfect for weekday dinners, family gatherings, or whenever you want something comforting and delicious.

Let’s get cooking!

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Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe (2026)

Ingredients for Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe

This Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe includes all the essential components: the chicken, the rice, the broth, and the sauces.

For the Chicken

1 whole chicken (3.5–4 lbs), cleaned
1 tbsp salt (for rubbing)
6–8 slices fresh ginger
6 garlic cloves, smashed
6 green onions (scallions), whole
Enough water to submerge the chicken
Ice bath (large bowl of ice water)

For the Fragrant Chicken Rice

2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed
2 tbsp chicken fat or neutral oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 slices fresh ginger
2 ½ cups chicken broth (reserved from poaching)
1 tsp salt

For the Ginger-Scallion Sauce

3 green onions, finely chopped
2 tbsp grated ginger
¼ cup hot oil (vegetable or peanut oil)
½ tsp salt

For the Chili Sauce

3 red chilies (or 1–2 Thai chilies for extra heat)
3 garlic cloves
1 inch ginger
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
3 tbsp chicken broth (from poaching)

For the Soy Sauce Drizzle

2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp chicken broth

Optional Garnishes

Cucumbers, sliced
Fresh cilantro
Extra scallions

How to Prepare Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe: (Step-by-Step)

This Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe may look long, but each step is simple—and the results are absolutely worth it.

1. Prepare the Chicken

Clean and season

Rub the chicken all over with salt, then rinse. This smooths the skin and removes impurities.
Stuff the chicken cavity with ginger slices and whole scallions.

Poach the chicken

Place the chicken in a large pot breast-side down.
Cover with enough water to fully submerge it.
Add extra ginger and garlic to the pot.
Bring to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce to a very low simmer.
Cook for 35–45 minutes, depending on chicken size.
Turn off the heat and let the chicken sit in the hot broth for 20 minutes.
This results in the signature silky texture.

Ice bath

Gently lift the chicken out and transfer it to a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes.

This tightens the skin and keeps it glossy and firm.

Brush with sesame oil

Lightly brush the chicken with sesame oil to keep it moist and beautifully shiny.

Set aside while you prepare the rice and sauces.

2. Make the Fragrant Chicken Rice

Render chicken fat (optional but authentic)

If your chicken came with extra fat trimmings, fry them in a pan until they release their fat.
If not, use neutral oil.

Aromatics

Sauté:

Garlic
Ginger

Cook until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.

Toast the rice

Add the rinsed rice and stir well to coat every grain.

Cook

Transfer rice to a rice cooker or pot.
Add:

Chicken broth from poaching
1 tsp salt

Cook as usual until fluffy and fragrant.

This rice is rich, aromatic, and incredibly flavorful.

3. Prepare the Sauces

Ginger-Scallion Sauce

Place chopped scallions and grated ginger in a heatproof bowl.
Heat oil until hot and pour over the mixture.
Add salt and stir.
This creates a fragrant, punchy topping.

Chili Sauce

Blend together:

Chilies
Garlic
Ginger
Lime juice
Sugar
Salt
Broth

Adjust heat and sweetness as desired.

Soy Sauce Drizzle

Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and chicken broth.

This is brushed lightly over the sliced chicken.

4. Slice and Serve the Chicken

Carve the chicken into traditional bite-sized pieces:

Drumsticks
Thighs
Wings
Breast, sliced across the grain

Arrange neatly on a platter and drizzle lightly with the soy mixture.

How to Serve Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe

A proper plate includes:

1. Tender poached chicken

Sliced and lightly sauced.

2. Fragrant rice

A generous mound of golden, chicken-infused rice.

3. Clear chicken broth

Served in a small bowl on the side.

4. Three dipping sauces

Chili sauce
Ginger-scallion sauce
Soy sauce

5. Fresh sides

Crisp cucumber slices
Cilantro
Sliced scallions

Each bite should include a little of everything—the balance is what makes the dish special.

Tips for the Best Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe

This Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe is simple, but technique matters! Here’s how to get perfect results:

1. Keep the poach gentle

A rolling boil will toughen the meat. Low and slow is key for silky chicken.

2. Don’t skip the ice bath

This is crucial for tightening the skin and locking in juices.

3. Use the chicken broth for everything

Rice, sauce, and soup—it’s liquid gold.

4. Toast the rice before cooking

This step adds depth and restaurant-quality aroma.

5. Use aromatics generously

Ginger and scallions define the dish’s signature flavor.

6. Salt the chicken water properly

The broth should taste lightly seasoned—not too salty.

7. Let the chicken rest before slicing

Resting helps retain moisture and makes carving easier.

8. Serve with cucumbers

They add freshness and contrast.

Variations on Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe

While traditional Hainanese chicken is unbeatable, you can switch things up while keeping the essence.

1. Hainanese Chicken Thighs

Use only bone-in thighs for a richer, juicier dish.

2. Hainanese Roasted Chicken (Hainanese “Crispy” Style)

Rub the chicken with honey, soy sauce, and oil, then roast instead of poaching.

3. Hainanese Chicken Bowls

Build grain bowls with rice, sliced chicken, cucumbers, greens, and sauces.

4. Hainanese Chicken with Brown Rice

A healthier twist—still delicious!

5. Hainanese Chicken Wings

Poach wings and serve with all the traditional sauces.

6. Vegetarian “Hainanese Chicken”

Use:

Firm tofu
King oyster mushrooms
Mock “chicken”

Serve with the same rice and sauces.

7. Instant Pot Hainanese Chicken

Pressure cook on High for 10 minutes, natural release for 10 minutes.

8. Add pandan leaves to the rice

A very authentic Southeast Asian touch.

9. Spicy version

Add chili oil, sambal, or Thai chilies to the sauces.

10. Garlic-heavy version

Increase garlic in the rice for a bolder aroma.

FAQs

Here are answers to the most common questions about making Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe.

1. Is the chicken supposed to be fully cooked?

Yes—although the texture is silky, it should reach 165°F. The poaching method keeps it tender.

2. Can I use chicken breasts only?

You can, but whole chicken offers deeper flavor. Breasts alone may be less juicy.

3. Can I make this ahead?

Yes! The chicken and rice reheat well. Sauces can be prepared and refrigerated for 3–4 days.

4. What if I don’t have hot oil for the ginger-scallion sauce?

You can heat oil in a pan until shimmering and pour it directly over the mixture.

5. Can I use store-bought chicken broth?

You can, but the broth from poaching the chicken is far superior.

6. Why do some versions use pandan leaves?

Pandan adds beautiful fragrance—it’s optional but authentic.

7. Can I air-chill the chicken instead of using an ice bath?

The ice bath is traditional and prevents overcooking, so it’s recommended.

8. Can I make it spicy?

Yes—add more chilies or serve with chili crisp or sambal.

9. Can I freeze the leftover broth?

Absolutely. Use it in soups, stews, or rice dishes.

10. My chicken skin looks pale—did I do something wrong?

No—Hainanese chicken traditionally has pale skin because it’s poached, not roasted.

Why This Dish Works (Flavor Science)

Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe is a masterclass in balanced flavors:

Savory

The chicken broth infuses everything with deep, comforting flavor.

Aromatic

Ginger, garlic, and scallion bring brightness and warmth.

Textural

Silky chicken + fluffy rice + crisp cucumbers = perfection.

Complementary sauces

Each sauce—spicy, fresh, salty—adds a different dimension.

It’s simple food done with care and precision.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe makes fantastic leftovers.

Storage

Chicken: 3–4 days refrigerated
Rice: 3–4 days
Sauces: 5–7 days
Broth: up to 5 days (or 3 months frozen)

Meal prep ideas

Prepare rice bowls
Serve chicken sliced over greens
Turn leftovers into soup
Make fried rice with the leftover fragrant rice

Nutrition (Approximate)

Per serving (with rice and sauces):

Calories: 540–650
Protein: 38–45g
Carbs: 55–65g
Fat: 15–20g

Nutritious, high-protein, and balanced.

Final Thoughts

Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe is more than just a meal—it’s a comforting, soothing, deeply satisfying experience. It brings together simple ingredients and transforms them into something extraordinary through technique and care.

Every bite is a harmony of flavors: tender chicken, fragrant rice, warming broth, and bold sauces. Whether you’re new to Southeast Asian cuisine or already a fan, this dish is something you’ll return to again and again.

Make it for your family, for friends, or just for yourself on a day when you need something warm and grounding. Once you master this recipe, it becomes a kitchen treasure—one you’ll be proud to serve and share.

Enjoy your homemade Hainanese Chicken and Rice Recipe!

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