This tried-and-true Hainanese rooster rice recipe is simple to make at house, with detailed, step-by-step images to information you in creating tender, juicy rooster and aromatic rice—identical to at your favourite rooster rice stall in Malaysia or Singapore!

Hainanese Rooster Rice

Hainanese rooster rice (海南鸡饭) is the consolation meals for thus many Malaysians and Singaporeans. For many people, that is the last word consolation meals. We grew up having fun with plate after plate, and packet after packet, of this beloved hawker staple, with tender, silky, and {smooth} poached rooster and a aromatic rice cooked in rooster broth and fats. Aside from Nasi Lemak, that is one other dish that immediately jogs my memory of house.

Originating from Wenchang rooster (文昌鸡) in Hainanese delicacies, Hainan Ji Fan was introduced over by immigrants from Hainan Island in southern China. Within the early 1900s, many Chinese language emigrated to Southeast Asia in the hunt for higher alternatives, adapting the dish to native tastes. That is how our beloved rooster rice was born. In Thailand, the same dish is named Khao Man Gai.

The Greatest Rooster Rice

What makes the most effective Hainan rooster rice?

Everybody has their favourite and best choice in the case of it. Some are all about that completely seasoned, flavorful and fragrant rice; others concentrate on the oh-so-tender rooster with silky {smooth} pores and skin. And for some, it’s all about that spicy, one-of-a-kind chili sauce.

Personally, I believe it’s all about what makes your tummy happiest! I really like the smoothness of completely poached rooster with its juicy, tender meat, together with the pleasant interaction of soy sauce and chili sauce.

What I can let you know is that this recipe is simple sufficient for normal house cooks. It’s obtained minimal prep and some easy steps. Now, I’ll admit the ingredient listing seems lengthy, however don’t fear—it’s not as arduous because it appears! The excellent news is that the elements are simple to search out nearly wherever, and the end result? Completely value it!

Sidenote: In Malaysia, rooster rice is on the market in two variations; roasted rooster and poached rooster. Some hawkers additionally provide Chinese language BBQ Pork (Char Siu), Chinese language Roast Pork Stomach (Sio Bak/Siu Yuk), and different facet dishes similar to Soy Sauce Eggs and braised bean curd to go together with the rice.

Why This Recipe Works

• Similar to hawker stalls and kopitiam. This recipe tastes identical to those I’d typically have at Malaysian hawker stalls or espresso retailers—tender rooster, aromatic rice, and that savory goodness. And the most effective half? It’s means cheaper to make at house, which means, you possibly can have quite a lot of rooster per serving.
• Simple with out compromising on style. I by no means compromise on authenticity and good style in the case of cooking. Although this recipe calls for easy steps and minimal prep time, you’ll have an genuine dish that’s certain to fulfill.
• The rooster broth is all the things. The leftover rooster broth makes a scrumptious facet soup; simply garnish with cilantro or chopped scallions, or chances are you’ll add a couple of leaves of cabbage. I personally love including fish balls to my soup, so yummy!
• Choosy eater-friendly. I haven’t met anybody who doesn’t love this dish, even the pickiest eaters. It’s that good, and also you’ll undoubtedly be going again for seconds!

What Goes Into Hainanese Rooster Rice

• Complete rooster – don’t purchase lower up rooster quarters or rooster breasts. You need entire rooster, interval.
• Ginger – the key ingredient for that gingery notice to the rooster and broth, which is what makes this dish so fragrant.
• Scallions
• Salt – It’s key for seasoning the rooster and ensuring the pores and skin seems beautiful, {smooth} and attractive.
• Oil
• Shallots and garlic – the aromatics that elevate the flavors of the rooster.
• Rice – Use a superb high quality lengthy grain rice; keep away from brief grain rice as they’re too sticky.

Chili Sauce Elements

• Chili sauce – Hawkers make this from scratch, however for house cooks, I like to recommend utilizing Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce.
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Salt
• Sugar
• Rooster broth – The bottom that makes the sauce wealthy and savory. You should definitely use the broth from cooking the rooster—it offers the chili sauce its genuine taste.
• Lime juice – One of many key elements, it provides a tangy brightness that provides chili sauce its signature taste.

Please confer with the recipe card on the backside of this submit for full particulars on every ingredient.

How To Make Rooster Rice

Step 1: Wash the rooster and drain it properly. Stuff the ginger and scallions into the rooster’s cavity. Rub 2 teaspoons of salt everywhere in the rooster to create smooth-looking pores and skin.

Step 2: In a stockpot that matches the rooster snugly, deliver the rooster inventory and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil. Submerge the entire rooster, breast facet down, within the boiling inventory for 35–45 minutes, relying on the rooster’s measurement. Instantly scale back the warmth to a delicate simmer.

Step 3: As soon as the rooster is cooked, take away it and plunge it into ready chilly water for 10 minutes. Reserve the rooster broth for later use. Drain the rooster, discard the ginger and scallions from the cavity, and set it apart to chill earlier than chopping it into the specified serving items.

Step 4: Warmth oil in a wok and fry the chopped shallots and garlic till aromatic and golden. Add the rice and stir to mix. Switch the rice combination to a rice cooker.

Step 5: As soon as transferred, add the rooster broth, ginger, garlic, shallot oil, rooster fats, and salt to the rice combination. Cook dinner in line with the rice cooker’s handbook directions.

Step 6: Mix the chili sauce, garlic, ginger, salt, sugar, rooster broth, and lime juice. Stir to combine properly and alter with extra salt, sugar, and lime juice to style. Set it apart.

Step 6: Line a serving plate with cucumber slices. Add a bowl of rice and prepare the rooster items on the plate. Drizzle the soy sauce over the rooster and garnish with cilantro. Serve instantly with chili sauce and a facet of rooster soup.

Professional Tip: Secrets and techniques To Good Rooster Rice

• I at all times use a recent, entire rooster as a result of it offers the most effective taste and makes the broth tremendous wealthy. Plus, the rooster stays good and tender.
• As soon as the rooster’s within the pot, I decrease the warmth to a simmer. This retains the rooster juicy and tender with out making it robust.
• After cooking, I plunge the rooster into chilly water for 10 minutes. This helps the pores and skin agency up and retains the rooster moist.
• DO NOT throw away the rooster broth! I exploit it to cook dinner the rice and make the chili sauce. It’s the key to creating each the rice and chili sauce style identical to the true deal.

Regularly Requested Questions

What To Serve With This Recipe

To recreate your favourite hawker fare at house, I like to recommend the next dishes.

I hope you take pleasure in this submit as a lot as I do. For those who strive my recipe, please depart a remark and think about giving it a 5-star score. For less difficult and scrumptious recipes, discover my Recipe Index, and keep up to date by subscribing to my publication and following me on Fb, Pinterest, and Instagram for brand new updates.

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