HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE - DELICIOUS CHICKEN RICE RECIPE SERVED ALONG WITH THREE SCRUMPTIOUS SAUCES

whole chicken

🥗Healthier: skinless chicken breast

💰Cheaper: bone-in chicken thighs

Skinless breast reduces fat, while thighs are often less expensive.

jasmine rice

🥗Healthier: brown rice

💰Cheaper: white rice

Brown rice offers more fiber, while white rice is generally cheaper.

soy sauce

🥗Healthier: low-sodium soy sauce

💰Cheaper: tamari

Low-sodium options reduce sodium intake, and tamari is gluten-free.

sesame oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is heart-healthy, while canola is often more affordable.

To clean the chicken, rub all over with a handful of kosher salt, getting rid of any loose skin. Rinse the chicken well inside and out. Pat dry with paper towels.

Remove any excess fat from the chicken and set aside for later. Season the chicken generously with salt. Stuff the chicken cavity with the ginger slices and scallions.

Place the chicken in a large stock pot, cover with cold water and season with salt to taste.

Bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer. Cover and cook for about 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove the pot from the heat.

Remove the chicken from the pot and transfer to an ice bath for a couple of minutes to stop the cooking process and to keep the chicken skin springy. Discard the ginger and green onion. Carve the chicken for serving.

After it has cooled, pat the chicken dry with paper towels and rub all over with sesame oil. This will help prevent the chicken from drying out.

In a deep vessel, heat some sesame oil. Add 2 tablespoons of reserved chopped chicken fat, the garlic, ginger, and salt, and fry until aromatic, about 10 minutes.

Reserve ¼ of the fried garlic mixture, then add the rice to the remaining fried garlic and stir to coat. Cook for a couple of minutes. Add the chicken stock and cook until tender.

Make the chili sauce: combine the sambal, Sriracha, sugar, garlic, ginger, lime juice, and chicken broth in a small bowl and stir to incorporate.

Make the ginger garlic sauce: in a small bowl, combine the ginger, garlic, salt, peanut oil, and rice vinegar, and stir to incorporate.

Make the soy sauce: in a small bowl, combine the reserved fried garlic and ginger with the oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and chicken broth, and stir to incorporate.

Serve the sliced chicken with the rice, dipping sauces and sliced cucumbers.