Hainan Chicken Rice Cooker Recipe Made Easy and Delicious

Hainan chicken rice is a beloved dish across Southeast Asia, renowned for its simplicity yet incredibly rich flavors. Originating from Hainan province in China, this dish has become a staple comfort food in places like Singapore and Malaysia.

The secret lies in the perfectly poached chicken paired with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, complemented by a trio of vibrant dipping sauces. Traditionally, preparing this dish can be a bit time-consuming, but what if you could make it effortlessly in your rice cooker?

Yes, you read that right! This recipe will guide you through making authentic Hainan chicken rice using just your rice cooker, saving time and hassle without compromising on taste.

Whether you’re a busy home cook or just looking to try something new, this rice cooker recipe is foolproof, juicy, and packed with flavor. It’s a fantastic weeknight dinner option that feels like a special meal.

Plus, it’s a great way to impress family and friends with your culinary skills. Ready to dive into this delicious adventure?

Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Hainan chicken rice cooker recipe offers a hassle-free approach to a classic dish. No more juggling multiple pots or worrying about overcooking the chicken.

The rice cooker does it all for you—slowly poaching the chicken while simultaneously cooking the rice infused with garlic and ginger for maximum flavor.

The chicken turns out tender and juicy every time, and the rice is perfectly fluffy with a rich, savory aroma. Plus, the recipe includes simple homemade sauces that elevate the dish to restaurant-quality status.

It’s perfect for those who crave comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen.

Additionally, this recipe is highly adaptable—you can tweak the seasonings or serve it with your favorite sides. It’s healthy, satisfying, and perfect for sharing with loved ones.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds), cleaned and patted dry
• 2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed thoroughly
• 4 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-inch piece of ginger, sliced thinly
• 2 stalks green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cucumber, sliced, for garnish
• Salt, to taste
• White pepper, to taste
• For the dipping sauces:
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili sauce (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice or rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Equipment

• Rice cooker with ‘cook’ and ‘warm’ settings
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large pot or deep pan (optional, for blanching chicken skin)
• Small bowls for dipping sauces
• Serving plate

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken: Start by removing any excess fat from the chicken and pat it dry thoroughly. Optionally, blanch the chicken in boiling water for 2 minutes to tighten the skin, then remove and rinse under cold water. This step helps achieve the classic smooth skin texture.
2. Infuse the rice cooker: Turn on your rice cooker to the ‘cook’ setting. Add the vegetable oil, minced garlic, and sliced ginger into the cooker pot. Sauté gently for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
3. Add rice and broth: Add the rinsed jasmine rice to the rice cooker pot and stir to coat the grains with the garlic and ginger oil mixture. Pour in the chicken broth and season lightly with salt. Mix gently.
4. Cook the chicken: Place the whole chicken on top of the rice in the rice cooker, breast side up. Close the lid and set the rice cooker to cook. Depending on your rice cooker, it may switch to ‘warm’ mode automatically once the rice is done. If it switches off, restart cook mode once or twice to ensure the chicken is fully cooked. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
5. Rest and slice: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the rice cooker and let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making the chicken juicy and tender. Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces or serve whole if preferred.
6. Fluff the rice: Stir the rice gently with a fork to fluff it up. The rice will have absorbed the aromatic chicken broth, garlic, and ginger flavors, making it irresistibly delicious.
7. Make dipping sauces: In small bowls, prepare the sauces by mixing soy sauce with sesame oil, fresh ginger and garlic with chili sauce, and lime juice with sugar and a pinch of salt. These sauces add layers of flavor and heat to the dish.
8. Serve: Plate the chicken alongside the fragrant rice. Garnish with cucumber slices and chopped green onions. Serve the dipping sauces on the side for guests to customize their bites.

Tips & Variations

“For the best chicken skin texture, try plunging the poached chicken into an ice bath immediately after cooking. This stops the cooking process and tightens the skin beautifully.”

Feel free to enhance this recipe by adding pandan leaves to the rice cooker for an extra fragrant touch. You can also swap jasmine rice for brown rice for a healthier option, though cooking times will vary.

If you prefer boneless chicken breasts or thighs, adjust the cooking time accordingly, as they will cook faster than a whole chicken. Another tasty variation is to drizzle a little chicken fat or soy sauce over the rice before serving for richness.

For a vegetarian or vegan twist, check out our Chinese Vegetarian Nasi Lemak Recipe Made Easy and Delicious or Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs wonderfully with light and fresh sides such as steamed bok choy, sautéed greens, or a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil.

For a heartier meal, serve with a bowl of clear chicken broth soup infused with mushrooms and scallions. You might also want to explore our All Recipes Chicken Rice and Vegetable Soup Ideas for complementary dishes.

Don’t forget the dipping sauces—they are essential for authentic flavor and elevate the meal experience. Offering some chili oil or fresh chili slices can add a delightful kick for spice lovers.

Conclusion

Making Hainan chicken rice in a rice cooker is an incredible shortcut to enjoying one of Southeast Asia’s most beloved comfort foods without the fuss. This recipe combines the ease of using a single appliance with the depth of flavors you expect from a traditional preparation.

From the succulent poached chicken to the fragrant garlic-ginger rice, each bite is a harmonious blend of simplicity and elegance.

Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, this dish is sure to satisfy cravings and impress palates. Plus, with the included tips and variations, you can easily customize it to your taste preferences.

If you love easy, flavorful meals, be sure to check out other recipes like Backpacking Dehydrated Vegan Meal Recipes for Easy Camping or Black Bean Sauce Recipe Vegetarian: Easy & Delicious Guide for more inspiration.

Give this rice cooker Hainan chicken rice a try—you won’t regret it!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Hainan Chicken Rice Cooker Recipe”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A simple and flavorful version of the classic Hainanese chicken rice made effortlessly in a rice cooker. Tender poached chicken served with fragrant garlic rice and dipping sauces.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT40M”, “totalTime”: “PT55M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs)”, “2 cups jasmine rice”, “4 cups chicken broth”, “4 cloves garlic, minced”, “2 slices ginger”, “2 tablespoons vegetable oil”, “2 stalks green onions, chopped”, “1 cucumber, sliced”, “1 tablespoon soy sauce”, “1 teaspoon sesame oil”, “Salt to taste”, “Water as needed”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Clean the chicken and rub with salt, rinse well.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place chicken, ginger, and enough water to cover in the rice cooker; poach until cooked through, about 30 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove chicken and let cool; reserve broth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Rinse rice and saut\u00e9 with garlic and green onions in oil using a pan.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Transfer rice to rice cooker, add 4 cups reserved broth, and cook until done.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Slice chicken and drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve chicken over rice with cucumber slices and dipping sauces.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “450 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “35 g”, “fatContent”: “18 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “40 g”}}