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Chicken is a familiar dish often seen on Vietnamese dining tables. But how can you enjoy chicken without feeling bored? Today, Mytour will guide you through making authentic Hainanese chicken rice to delight your whole family!
The Origin of Delicious Hainanese Chicken Rice
Hainanese chicken rice originates from China. This dish evolved from the famous Van Xuong chicken rice of Hainan Island. Today, it is a popular dish in the cuisines of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and some other Asian countries.
Photo: @bachuaviahe
This dish is beloved by many Vietnamese for the rich flavor of the chicken melded with each grain of rice, creating a hearty, fragrant, and flavorful experience.
Ingredients for Hainanese Chicken Rice
Making Hainanese Chicken Rice is not too difficult. However, selecting high-quality ingredients is crucial for a delicious outcome.
Photo: Kampong
This dish is cooked in three main steps: boiling the chicken, preparing the rice, and making the dipping sauce. Each step requires specific ingredients. Prepare ingredients for 5-6 servings as follows:
Prepare Ingredients for Boiled Chicken
- Chicken: 1 whole chicken, about 1.5kg
- Seasonings: Ginger, salt, shallots, minced garlic, rock sugar, chicken bouillon, chicken fat/cooking oil
- Prepare some ice water for soaking the chicken after boiling.
Ingredients for Cooking Rice
- Jasmine rice: 400 grams, washed and drained. Choose high-quality, long-grain rice
- Chicken broth
- Seasonings: Sesame oil, pandan leaves, salt, shallots, minced garlic, chicken fat/cooking oil
Ingredients for Making Sauce
- Crushed white onions
- Lime juice
- Chicken broth
- Seasonings: Sugar, fish sauce, salt, garlic, shallots, chili, ginger, chicken bouillon, ground pepper
Garnish and Side Dish Ingredients
- Soy sauce, chili sauce
- Cucumber, tomato
- Cilantro
Digi Tip: How to Make Hoi An Chicken Rice
3. Authentic Recipe for Delicious Hainanese Chicken Rice
Boiling the Chicken
Step 1: Preparing Ingredients
- Clean the chicken, rub with salt and lime, then rinse thoroughly.
- To enhance the flavor, stuff the chicken with sliced ginger and shallots before boiling.
Step 2: Cooking Process
- Place the chicken in a large pot, cover with water. Add a pinch of salt, chicken bouillon, and rock sugar. Then, turn on the heat and boil until the chicken is cooked (about 20 - 30 minutes). Remember to flip the chicken once during boiling to ensure even cooking and prevent the bones from turning red.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and transfer it to a bowl of ice water to cool quickly and firm up the meat.
- Remove the shallots and ginger from inside the chicken. Strain the chicken broth for cooking rice.
Photo: Kampong
Cooking Rice
Step 1: Heat a pan, add some sesame oil, minced garlic, and shallots, sauté until fragrant. Then add the pre-soaked rice and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
Image: collected
Step 2: Transfer all the mixture from Step 1 into the rice cooker. Add chicken broth corresponding to the amount of rice as in the usual rice cooking formula. Add a pinch of salt then press the cooking button.
- Note: For fragrant rice, add a few clean pandan leaves into the cooker.
Making Dipping Sauce
- Blend chili, garlic, ginger, and salt until smooth. Then transfer to a bowl, add a bit of lime juice and mix well.
- Sauté crushed white onions until fragrant, then add to the bowl. Season to taste.
- Prepare broth: Bring the remaining chicken broth to a boil, add finely chopped shallots, season to taste to make broth.
4. Hainanese Chicken Rice Recipe – Decoration and Presentation
Before cutting the chicken, remember to brush some sesame oil on it! The chicken will look glossy and more appealing. Then cut into bite-sized pieces.
Transfer the rice to a bowl. Compact it tightly, then flip it onto a large plate. Arrange the chicken around. Garnish with tomatoes, cucumbers, and cilantro.
Now, indulge in the satisfaction of Hainanese chicken rice. The chicken is tender, juicy, and fragrant. The rice carries the aroma of pandan leaves, enriched with the savory essence of chicken broth, complemented by scallion oil. Enjoy it with the flavorful dipping sauce and the gently sweet chicken soup. Accompanied by crisp cucumber and ripe tomatoes, it's a perfect harmony of flavors.
Image source: collected
5. Handy Tips
- When selecting chicken, opt for ones with firm meat. Good chicken exhibits shiny skin, thin and naturally pale yellow fat. The back, thighs, and wings should have a richer yellow color.
- If you desire a visually appealing golden hue, you can use fresh turmeric or turmeric powder mixed with a bit of chicken fat. Then strain the mixture. Apply this blend to the chicken before chopping.
- Adding pandan leaves while cooking rice enhances its fragrance significantly.
Mytour just guided you on how to make authentic Hainanese chicken rice. Remember to jot it down in your notebook to showcase your culinary skills with your family this weekend. Wishing you success in preparing this delicious dish. Don't forget to visit Mytour Blog for more useful cooking recipes!
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