Learn how to make Hainanese Chicken Rice using a rice cooker! This easy, one-pot chicken rice delivers juicy, fragrant chicken with flavorful garlic rice. Enjoy the Hainanese Chicken Rice with homemmade chili garlic sauce, scallion ginger sauce.
What is Hainanese Chicken Rice?
Hainanese Chicken Rice is a beloved Southeast Asian dish originating from Hainan, China, and made famous in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. The dish features poached chicken with garlic-ginger-infused rice, served with a punchy chili sauce and scallion-ginger oil. The secret? Cooking the rice in chicken stock for maximum flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pot Wonder – Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor.
- Juicy & Fragrant – My Grandma’s turmeric-garlic oil trick ensures golden, aromatic chicken skin.
- Perfectly Seasoned Rice – Cooked with garlic oil, ginger, and chicken broth for an ultra-flavorful bite.
- Customizable – Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness or breasts for a leaner option.
Key Ingredients to Make Hainanese Chicken Rice
- Chicken: Bone-in thighs for juicy results, or boneless breast for a quicker meal.
- Jasmine Rice: Soaks up all the aromatic flavors.
- Garlic & Ginger: Essential for depth and fragrance.
- Scallions: A finishing touch for the broth and garnish.
- Chicken Bouillon & Dark Soy Sauce: Enhances the umami richness.
- Turmeric-Garlic Oil: Grandma’s secret to golden, fragrant chicken.
Variations & Substitutions
- Rice: Swap jasmine rice for sushi or long-grain rice (adjust water accordingly).
- Protein: Try it with chicken wings, chicken leg quarters, or shrimp.
- Spice: Add Thai chilies for extra heat or Fresno chilies for a milder version.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Hainanese Chicken Rice
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
- Debone the chicken for even cooking (or keep it bone-in for extra flavor).
- Pat dry to remove excess moisture—this helps the skin absorb the turmeric-garlic oil.
- Brush the skin with turmeric-garlic oil for a golden, aromatic finish.
Step 2: Make the Garlic-Infused Oil
- Sauté finely minced garlic in neutral oil (canola or avocado) over medium-low heat.
- Stir constantly to avoid burning.
- Once golden, strain immediately and set aside. Save this oil for cooking the rice!
Step 3: Prepare the Chili-Ginger Sauce
- Blend Thai chilies, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until smooth.
- Adjust seasoning to taste—this sauce brings the perfect zing!
Step 4: Cook the Rice & Chicken (Rice Cooker Method)
- Wash 2 cups of jasmine rice until water runs clear.
- In the rice cooker, add:
- 2 tbsp garlic-infused oil
- 1 tsp chicken bouillon
- 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth or water
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer on top.
- Add sliced ginger and scallions for extra fragrance.
- Cook on regular mode until done.
Step 5: Check for Doneness
- Pierce the chicken thigh: if the juices run clear, it’s ready!
- If pink, let it steam for another 5 minutes.
Step 6: Fluff & Serve
- Fluff the rice gently for an airy texture.
- Serve with cucumber slices, chili sauce, and ginger-scallion oil.
Rice Cooker Hainanese Chicken Rice
Learn how to make Hainanese Chicken Rice using a rice cooker! This easy, one-pot chicken rice delivers juicy, fragrant chicken with flavorful garlic rice.
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Rice:
- 2 bone-in chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- 2 cups 400g jasmine rice
- 2 tbsp 30ml garlic-infused oil
- 1 tsp 5g chicken bouillon
- ½ tsp 2.5ml dark soy sauce
- 1 ¼ cups 300ml chicken broth or water
- 1 inch 2.5cm ginger sliced
- 2 scallions
- ¼ tsp 1g turmeric powder for golden skin
For the Chili Garlic Sauce
- 4-5 Red chilies Thai chilies or Fresno
- 10 cloves garlic
- 1 inch 2.5cm fresh ginger
- 3 tbsp 45ml rice vinegar
- 1 ½ tbsp 20g sugar
- 1 tsp 5g salt
For Scallion Ginger Sauce:
- 2 White scallion stems minced
- 1.5-2 inch Fresh ginger minced
- 3 Tbsp Neutral Oil
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Debone and pat dry the chicken. Brush the turmeric-garlic oil over the skin and set aside.
- Blend all chili sauce ingredients until smooth or chunky to your liking
- Blend all ginger-scallion sauce ingredients until smooth. Pour the hot oil into the mixture and salt.
- Wash the rice and add it to the rice cooker with seasonings, chicken broth, and garlic-infused oil.
- Arrange chicken on top, add ginger and scallions, and cook on regular mode (a standard setting for white rice)
- Check doneness. If the juices are clear, fluff the rice and serve with cucumber slices and sauces.
Video
Notes
Serving Suggestions
- Garnish with fresh cucumber slices and extra fried garlic for crunch.
- Pair with ginger-scallion oil for an extra hit of umami.
