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Hainanese chicken rice
Rub the chicken all over with a tablespoon of salt and rinse. Stuff the cavity with the sliced ginger and 4 spring onions. Bring the water to a boil in a stockpot with a tablespoon of salt.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Hainanese chicken rice take?
1 hr 45 min all in — 25 min prep, 1 hr cook, 20 min rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 plates. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Soy, Wheat, Sesame. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Dairy-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Stockpot, Rice cooker, Blender, Chef's knife.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 2 tbsp (for rubbing and seasoning).
How much toasted sesame oil?
1 tbsp (for brushing) of Toasted sesame oil.
How much sugar?
1 tsp of Sugar.
How much dark soy sauce?
3 tbsp (thick, to serve) of Dark soy sauce.
What can I use instead?
Whole chicken → 4 bone-in chicken legs. Poach 25 minutes. Less fat for the rice, so add a spoon of oil.
What should I watch for?
Check the thigh joint with a skewer: juices must run clear. If not, return it to the hot stock for 10 minutes, off the heat.
Any tips from this recipe?
A smaller, younger chicken poaches more evenly than a large roaster. Buy 1.4 to 1.6 kg. Save the rest of the stock. It is the base for tomorrow's noodle soup. The skin should be slick and the meat near the bone faintly pink at the joint. That is correct, not raw, if the juices run clear.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.