Is there anyone who does not like to eat? I do not hear a noise. If you are someone who is looking to try out some of the best Singaporean cuisines, I would suggest you try Hainanese chicken rice.
I, for a matter of fact, love to eat and try out new cuisines whenever I visit a new place. After all, it is only through the food that you can understand the culture of the people and the history that they share.
Want to know more about the recipes? Keep on reading this article till the end to know more…
Hainanese Chicken Rice: The National Dish Of Singapore
Known as the national dish of Singapore, Hainanese chicken rice (海南鸡) is one of the most popular dishes in the country.
It is said to have originated in the tiny tropical island of China called Hainan. This dish is very popular not only in China and Singapore but also in most South Asian countries.
The main components of the dish are chicken and rice. But what makes it different from other chicken rice dishes?
The USP of this dish is in the rice, which is full of flavor. Coated with the fat of the chicken before it is cooked, I can guarantee that you cannot stop yourself from stuffing your mouth with this traditional delicacy!
But What’s So Special About Hainanese Chicken Rice?
While the most vital component of this dish is the chicken, we do think that the rice is the main deal here! So, what’s special about this rice? You have to cook the rice with chicken stock and chicken fat.
Typically, rice is cooked with the help of normal water. So, you can only imagine how delicious rice turns out to be when you cook it with chicken soup instead of plain water. It feels like a sheer luxury to cook rice with chicken soup.
Moreover, the chicken is also cooked to perfection, considering it is kept inside the stock pot and then subjected to an ice bath. As a result, the meat is perfectly silky and moist at room temperature.
In addition to all that, you can also douse the chicken in plenty of sauce. You can use three sauces: a ginger sauce, a sweet soy sauce (dark black), and a chili sauce.
While the Hainanese chicken rice recipe takes some amount of concentration, not to mention, a little elbow grease, the results are worth the time and effort.
Hainanese Chicken Rice Recipe: Make It At Home!
Although it is true that you can find this dish in most restaurants, like the Tiong Bahru Hainanese boneless chicken rice stall, it is a dish that can be easily made at home.
What’s wrong? Don’t know how to cook Hainanese chicken rice at home? There is no need to worry. I am here to help. Here is the recipe for the popular dish that you were searching for. Keep on reading, and thank me later!
Nutritional Information:
Just because it is tasty doesn’t mean we are going to compromise on the healthy factor. So, let’s check out the nutritional composition of this recipe.
Calories: 1004.
Fat: 55 grams.
Carb: 71 grams.
Fiber: 12 grams.
Sugar: 6 grams.
Protein: 48 grams.
Ingredients:
So, here are the things that you will need to cook Hainanese Chicken at home.
What You Need To Cook The Chicken?
| ITEMS | QUANTITY |
| Chicken | 1 Whole |
| Water | 3 liters |
| Ginger | 5-inch pieces |
| Onions | 1 whole |
| Sesame oil | 2 tbsp |
| Salt | As per taste |
What You Need To Cook The Rice?
| ITEMS | QUANTITY |
| Long grain Rice | 2 cups |
| Chicken fat | 2 spoons, chopped |
| Sesame oil | ½ cup |
| garlic | 3 cloves, minced |
| ginger | 1 tbsp, grated |
| Chicken broth | 2 cups |
| salt | As per taste |
How To Make It: Step By Step Guide To Making The Best Hainanese Chicken Rice
| Total Time | 3 Hours |
| Prep Time | 1 Hour |
| Cooking Time | 2 Hours |
Now that you are done gathering all the ingredients that you need to prepare the dish, here is the method of cooking this famous dish that you were looking for.
Check out the recipe:
To Cook The Chicken
- Clean the chicken thoroughly and separate the chicken fat
- Pat it dry
- Massage the chicken generously with salt
- Add water to a pot and throw in the ginger and onions
- Bring the pot to a boil.
- Wash the chicken once to remove the extra salt.
- Add the chicken to the pot and let it boil.
- Remove the chicken after you have boiled it – then let it cool down.
To Cook The Rice
- Add sesame oil to a pan and add a bit of chicken fat to it
- To the hot oil, add ginger, garlic, and onion and saute till it turns aromatic
- Add the rice and let it fry for 15 minutes
- Transfer the rice to a cooker and add 2 cups of chicken broth to it.
- Cook the rice for an hour or till it is cooked and soft.
If you want to watch and cook in the kitchen, here is a YouTube video on making the best Hainanese chicken rice. Check this out ⬇️⬇️
Frequently Asked Questions:-
Ans: If there is one food that can truly make you feel cozy and comfortable, it is Hainanese chicken rice. It is one of the simplest dishes to make. However, the way the fragrant rice that is pre-cooked in the chicken fat melts in your mouth makes you crave another spoon.
Ans: If you are someone who wants to eat healthily, let me tell you something: Hainanese chicken rice is a great option for you. Not only is it extremely delicious and comforting, but also very healthy. It is a great source of protein and also keeps you full for a much longer time.
Ans: Hainanese chicken rice is the national dish of the country of Singapore. However, it is very different from normal chicken rice in terms of the method of cooking it.
The main difference between Hainanese chicken rice and normal chicken rice is the fact that the former is cooked in the fat of the chicken, which helps the grain get infused with the aroma of the chicken fat.
Bon Appétit!
Hainanese Chicken Rice is one of the most famous dishes in Singapore, and there are reasons it is the national dish of the country.
It is not very difficult to cook and tastes comforting. I have tried my hands on this dish many times, and each time, I was left with a feeling of calm and fulfillment.
If you are looking for a recipe for Hainanese Chicken Rice, I hope that this article has been of help to you. In case there are any other queries related to the same, feel free to comment below in the box.
Please share your thoughts in the comment section, and let me know what more you want to learn or see. Till then, stay safe and happy eating!
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