Hainanese Chicken Rice

A candidate for Singapore's ‘national dish,’ Hainanese Chicken Rice can be found on every street corner coffeeshop and in the coffee houses of hotels in Singapore. Brought to Singapore by immigrants from Hainan, China, it has evolved to become the delicious Singaporean dish it is today.

The chicken is prepared in traditional Hainanese methods which involve the boiling of the entire chicken in a pork and chicken bone stock, reusing the broth over and over and only topping it up with water when needed, in accordance with the Chinese preferences for creating master stocks. This stock is not used for rice preparation, which instead involves chicken stock created specifically for that purpose, producing an oily, flavourful rice sometimes known as "oily rice". In Singapore, where modernity has made the maintenance and long-term storage of master stocks unfeasible, the meat is cooked by boiling in water flavoured with garlic and ginger instead, with the resulting stock used in the preparation of the rice and also in the accompanying soup.

The dish is usually served with several dips, including chilli sauce (recipe below) and pounded ginger. It is common in Hainan to also offer a third sauce involving oyster sauce mixed with garlic, while dark soya sauce is more commonly served in Malaysia/Singapore. The Malaysian/Singaporean version of the chili are also much hotter, reflecting its Southeast Asian influences, and may also involve a mixture of chilli with garlic. Most dishes are served with sliced cucumber, reflecting the Chinese preference for introducing some variety for a more complete meal.

Wash chicken and remove excess fat. Rub the inside of the cavity with salt. Smash garlic and ginger slightly with the flat of a knife. Tie scallions into a knot. Place garlic, ginger, and scallions inside the chicken cavity.

Bring the water to a boil in a pot large enough to hold the chicken. Add the chicken, breast-side down. Simmer, covered, 30-40 minutes, turning chicken halfway through the cooking process, until chicken tests done (juices from thigh should run clear when pricked with a fork).

Carefully remove chicken, draining liquid from body cavity back into the pot. Reserve the stock to make chicken rice. Plunge the chicken into ice water for 5 minutes to stop the cooking process and tighten the skin. Drain, rub with sesame oil, and let cool to room temperature.

To serve, chop chicken into bite-size pieces (the Chinese do this bone and all) and arrange on a platter. Garnish with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and cilantro sprigs.

To make the chicken rice, wash the rice and drain in a colander. Let stand 1/2 hour to dry.

Heat oil in a wok. Add the shallots and garlic. Stir-fry until fragrant. Add rice grains and stir-fry 3-4 minutes, until glossy and fragrant.

Transfer to a saucepan. Add the chicken broth and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil until the liquid level evaporates to the level of the rice and steam holes appear. Turn heat to low. Cover and simmer 40 minutes. Serve with Hainanese chicken.

Chile Sauce

This sauce is designed to be served with Hainanese Chicken rice, but it can also be used as a dip with appetizers. Fresh red Thai chiles are a good choice for this recipe, but you can use a milder (or hotter) chile if desired.

About 2 ounces fresh red Thai chiles, seeded
1 ounce shallots, peeled
1 ounce garlic, peeled
1 ounce fresh ginger, peeled
1/2 cup boiling chicken stock
3 to 4 teaspoons lime juice
1 teaspoon rice vinegar or malt vinegar
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine chiles, shallots, garlic, and ginger in a food processor or blender and process to a paste. Transfer to a bowl and stir in boiling chicken stock, then remaining ingredients.

Let stand at least 1 hour before serving. (Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks). Serve with Hainanese chicken.

Yields about 2/3 cup