Recipe: Singapore-Style Hainanese Chicken Rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice is a beloved dish in Singapore, often considered a national treasure. Its simple yet flavorful ingredients make it comforting and delightful, especially for retirees looking for a wholesome and fulfilling meal to cook at home. Here’s a localized recipe with tips to make it even more special!

Ingredients
For the Chicken:
1 whole kampong chicken (about 1.5 kg)
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced
2 stalks of spring onion
Salt for rubbing
Ice water (for chilling)

For the Rice:
2 cups jasmine rice
2 tbsp chicken fat or vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 slices of ginger
3 cups chicken broth (from boiling the chicken)
1 pandan leaf, knotted (optional, for a fragrant touch)

For the Sauces:
Chili Sauce
5 red chilies
2 cloves garlic
1-inch ginger
1 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp chicken broth
Salt and sugar to taste

Ginger Sauce
2 tbsp minced ginger
2 tbsp hot chicken oil
Salt to taste
Dark Soy Sauce
Thick dark soy sauce, as needed

For Garnishing:
Fresh cucumber slices
Coriander leaves

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

• Clean the chicken and rub it with salt to remove impurities.
• In a large pot, bring water to a boil with ginger and spring onion.
• Lower the chicken into the pot, ensuring it’s fully submerged. Simmer gently for 35–45 minutes.
• Transfer the chicken to an ice water bath to stop the cooking and achieve a silky texture.

Cook the Rice:

• Heat chicken fat or oil in a wok. Fry minced garlic and ginger until fragrant.
• Add washed jasmine rice and stir to coat with the aromatic oil.
• Transfer to a rice cooker, add chicken broth and pandan leaf, and cook until done.

Make the Sauces:

• Blend ingredients for the chili sauce until smooth.
• Mix minced ginger with hot chicken oil for the ginger sauce.
• Use thick dark soy sauce directly as a dipping option.

Assemble:

Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces or whole piece as illustrated.
Serve with fragrant rice, dipping sauces, cucumber slices, and coriander leaves.

Personalized Tips:

Chicken Choice: Opt for a kampong chicken for its firmer texture and richer flavor.

Family Style: Serve the dish on a large platter for a communal dining experience—a hallmark of Singaporean culture.

Nostalgia: Pair the meal with a comforting cup of local kopi or a light barley drink.

Enjoy this timeless classic as part of your culinary journey during retirement, savoring both its taste and the joy of creating it at home!

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