8 Delicious and Easy Hainan Rice Recipes Singapore Style to Make at Home

Kapanlagi.com - Hainan rice, an iconic dish that has captured the hearts of many Asian food lovers, offers an unparalleled savory taste. With a distinctive presentation featuring tender chicken and delectable dipping sauces, this dish is not just food, but also a delightful experience for the palate.

Although its name comes from Hainan Province in China, Hainan rice is better known as Singapore's national dish, which has a long and rich history in the culinary world.

The uniqueness of Hainan rice lies in its special cooking technique. The rice is not just boiled normally, but is cooked with rich chicken broth, providing a deep aroma and flavor.
The chicken can also be served in various ways—boiled, roasted, or fried—according to personal preference. This combination creates a harmony of flavors that makes Hainan rice a favorite menu item in many Chinese food restaurants and typical Singaporean eateries.

Now, you don’t have to go far to enjoy the authentic taste of Hainan rice. With simple recipes and easy steps, you can make it yourself at home.
Here are eight Hainan rice recipes you can try, ranging from traditional versions to more practical ones using a rice cooker. Let’s prepare the ingredients and get ready to delight your taste buds!

1. Original Hainan Rice: Savory and Tender with Natural Chicken Broth

Experience the delightful taste of classic Hainan rice, where each grain absorbs the rich chicken broth, making it tender and savory. The process begins by sautéing washed rice with chopped garlic and ginger in sesame oil until fragrant, before cooking it with enticing chicken broth.

Meanwhile, the chicken is slowly boiled in a mixture of water seasoned with ginger, garlic, pandan leaves, and fish sauce, ensuring its perfect tenderness.

When served, juicy chicken pieces accompany fragrant rice, complemented by ginger sauce, soy sauce, and a signature sambal that tantalizes the taste buds. To add a fresh and appealing touch, slices of cucumber and chopped green onions are ready to beautify this dish!

2. Hainan Rice with Roasted Chicken: Richer Aroma and Flavor

For those who crave a more enticing flavor sensation, roasted chicken can be the perfect choice to replace boiled chicken in Hainan rice dishes. The process begins by boiling the chicken in a mixture of aromatic seasonings such as ginger, garlic, and fish sauce, ensuring the chicken remains juicy and full of flavor.

After that, the chicken is brushed with a mixture of sesame oil, soy sauce, and oyster sauce before being roasted until the skin turns brown and crispy. As a result, you will experience an incredible depth of flavor and a crunchy skin texture.

The rice is also cooked with savory chicken broth, while a complementary sauce made from soy sauce, sesame oil, and sautéed chopped ginger adds even more deliciousness to this dish.

3. Hainan Rice Cooker: A Practical Way Without Hassle

For those of you who want to enjoy the deliciousness of Singapore Hainan rice without the fuss, cooking with a rice cooker is a smart solution that still preserves its authentic flavor.

Simply wash the rice, then place it in the rice cooker along with sautéed garlic, ginger, and a little soy sauce and oyster sauce for a richer taste. Use chicken broth as the water, so the rice is not only savory but also perfectly fluffy.

Meanwhile, cook the chicken by boiling or roasting it, and serve it with the cooked rice. This method is ideal for beginners or anyone who wants to serve a special dish in an easy and practical way!

4. Spicy Hainan Rice: Savory Sensation with a Bite

For spicy food lovers, this Hainan rice recipe is ready to pamper your taste buds with a spicy kick! In the cooking process, ground bird's eye chili mixed with garlic and ginger is added, making the rice not only savory but also appetizing with a hint of enticing spiciness.

The chicken is equally special, marinated with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chili powder before being boiled or roasted to perfection. To complement the deliciousness of this dish, a spicy sauce made from a mixture of soy sauce, chopped bird's eye chili, and heated sesame oil is also served, creating an aroma that makes you eager to dig in!

5. Hainan Rice with Free-Range Chicken: Healthier and More Aromatic

Using free-range chicken in the Hainan rice recipe is not just a choice, but a step to bring unmatched deliciousness. The chewy meat of free-range chicken and the rich broth make this dish even more special.

The boiling process with spices such as ginger and green onions, along with a pinch of salt, produces an authentic taste. The broth, rich in aroma, is then used to cook the rice, giving an unforgettable delicious touch.

With a longer cooking time, the natural flavor of the free-range chicken becomes even more abundant. To keep the meat tender and appetizing, the cooked chicken is soaked in cold water for a moment before being cut and served with a tempting special sauce. Enjoy the perfect deliciousness!

6. Hainan Rice with Sweet and Spicy Sauce

Dipping sauce, especially sweet and spicy ones, is one of the culinary stars of Asia, including Singapore, that can significantly enhance the flavor of Hainan rice.

Classic combinations such as soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and pepper are already well-known, but don't be afraid to innovate! Try adding bird's eye chili for a biting spicy sensation, or chili sauce to introduce a more enticing blend of sweet and spicy flavors.

By experimenting with various flavor combinations, you can create a unique sauce that truly suits your personal taste!

7. Aromatic Hainan Chicken Rice

Hainan Chicken, a tantalizing dish, usually uses free-range chicken or broiler chicken as its main ingredient. The boiling process involving spices such as ginger, garlic, green onions, and celery is a crucial step in creating a rich flavor.

Don't forget to add salt, pepper, broth powder, and oyster sauce for the perfect finishing touch. This boiling technique not only determines the tenderness and deliciousness of the chicken, but you can also get creative by roasting or frying to achieve different textures. Remember, the key secret of this dish is to create chicken that is tender and full of mouthwatering aroma!

8. Hainan Rice with Garlic Oil

Cilantro leaves and chili sauce are an inseparable duo that perfects Hainan Rice, providing a fresh touch and a variety of textures that tantalize the taste buds.

Not only that, the fragrant garlic oil can also be an enticing complement. So, don't hesitate to experiment with various other side options and find the combination that best suits your taste. With this little extra touch, your Hainan Rice dish will feel even more special and exciting!

9. What makes Hainan rice different from regular rice?

Hainan rice, this appetizing dish, is cooked with rich chicken broth along with a touch of ginger and garlic, creating a tempting combination of flavors and an invigorating aroma.

10. Does Hainan rice always have to be served with boiled chicken?

Of course! Hainan rice is not only served with delicious boiled chicken, but also offers other tempting variations such as crispy roasted chicken, savory fried chicken, or even juicy duck, making each bite an unforgettable culinary experience!

11. How long does it take to make Hainan rice?

The process of cooking Hainan rice indeed requires patience, usually taking between 45 minutes to 1 hour. This duration varies depending on the chosen method and the type of chicken used, making each step an art full of flavor and deliciousness.

12. Can you make Hainan rice without a rice cooker?

Of course, delicious Hainan rice can be easily prepared using a regular pot! Just use the steaming method or steam it after the rice is half-cooked, and you can enjoy this famous rice delicacy at home.

(kpl/srr)