Rice Cooker Hainanese Chicken Rice Recipe
Introduction
Hainanese Chicken Rice is a comforting and fragrant dish that’s easy to prepare using a rice cooker. This recipe combines tender chicken thighs with aromatic jasmine rice cooked in flavorful chicken broth, creating a simple yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups jasmine rice (rinsed until water runs clear)
- 2 chicken thighs (boneless or bone-in, skin-on preferred)
- 2.5 cups chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (like canola or avocado)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 thumb-size piece of ginger (thinly sliced or minced)
- 2 green onions (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 cucumber (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (for drizzling)
- 1 lemon or lime (cut into wedges)
Instructions
- Step 1: Turn your rice cooker to ‘cook’ or ‘sauté’ mode. Add the neutral oil and sauté the garlic and ginger for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in the rinsed jasmine rice, coating it well with the garlic and ginger. Lightly toast the rice for 1–2 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the chicken broth, salt, and green onions. Stir gently to combine, then place the chicken thighs on top of the rice with the skin side facing up.
- Step 4: Close the rice cooker lid and cook using the regular white rice setting, which takes about 30–40 minutes depending on your model.
- Step 5: When cooking is complete, let the rice rest for 5–10 minutes. Slice the chicken and serve it over the rice with cucumber slices, chopped cilantro, a drizzle of soy sauce, and lemon or lime wedges.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, drizzle the cooked rice with 2 teaspoons of sesame oil before serving.
- If you prefer white meat, substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but be careful not to overcook them to keep them tender.
- Add a small piece of pandan leaf to the rice cooker for a subtle fragrant note.
- Serve with a side of chili sauce or homemade garlic chili oil for a spicy kick.
Storage
Store leftover chicken and rice separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to keep the rice moist. It’s best enjoyed fresh but can be frozen for up to 1 month if sealed properly.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of jasmine rice?
You can substitute brown rice, but it will require a longer cooking time and more liquid. Adjust your rice cooker settings accordingly and add extra broth to ensure the rice cooks fully.
Is it necessary to keep the chicken skin on?
Keeping the skin on helps retain moisture and adds flavor and texture to the dish, but you can remove it if you prefer a leaner meal.
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Rice Cooker Hainanese Chicken Rice Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
This Rice Cooker Hainanese Chicken Rice is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender poached chicken with fragrant jasmine rice cooked in savory chicken broth and aromatic garlic and ginger. Perfectly cooked in a rice cooker, it is an easy one-pot meal that captures the essence of the classic Singaporean and Malaysian favorite. Served with fresh cucumber slices, cilantro, soy sauce, and citrus wedges, it offers a balance of savory, fresh, and tangy flavors.
Ingredients
Rice and Aromatics
- 1.5 cups jasmine rice (rinsed until water runs clear)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 thumb-size piece of ginger (thinly sliced or minced)
- 2 green onions (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (like canola or avocado)
Chicken and Broth
- 2 chicken thighs (boneless or bone-in, skin-on preferred)
- 2.5 cups chicken broth (low-sodium)
Garnishes and Serving
- 1 cucumber (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (for drizzling)
- 1 lemon or lime (cut into wedges)
Instructions
- Prepare the Aromatics: Turn your rice cooker to the ‘cook’ or ‘sauté’ mode. Add the neutral oil to the cooker and sauté the minced garlic and ginger for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, allowing the flavors to infuse the oil.
- Toast the Rice: Stir in the rinsed jasmine rice, coating the grains well with the aromatic garlic and ginger mixture. Lightly toast the rice for 1 to 2 minutes, which enhances its nutty flavor.
- Add Broth and Seasoning: Pour in the chicken broth along with the salt and add the green onion pieces. Stir gently to combine the ingredients without disturbing the rice too much.
- Place the Chicken: Lay the chicken thighs skin-side up on top of the rice mixture inside the rice cooker. This allows the chicken to steam and cook evenly while the rice absorbs the flavorful broth.
- Cook the Rice and Chicken: Close the lid of the rice cooker and use the regular white rice cooking setting. Cooking typically takes about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on your rice cooker model, until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooking is complete, allow the rice to rest for 5 to 10 minutes with the lid closed. Slice the chicken thighs, then serve over the rice. Garnish with thinly sliced cucumber, chopped cilantro, a drizzle of soy sauce, and wedges of lemon or lime to add freshness and acidity.
Notes
- Using skin-on chicken thighs adds more flavor and moisture to the dish.
- If using bone-in chicken, ensure it is fully cooked by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rinsing jasmine rice until water runs clear removes excess starch and prevents overly sticky rice.
- You can substitute chicken broth with homemade broth for enhanced flavor.
- Adjust salt and soy sauce to taste, especially if using salted broth or soy sauce.
- For a spicier kick, add sliced chili alongside the garnishes.
- This recipe works best with a rice cooker that has a sauté or cook mode; if not available, sauté the aromatics on the stovetop before transferring to the rice cooker.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Rice Cooker
- Cuisine: Singaporean, Malaysian
Keywords: Hainanese Chicken Rice, rice cooker recipe, chicken thigh recipe, jasmine rice, easy one-pot meal, Southeast Asian cuisine
