Hainan Chicken Rice: A Quick and Easy Recipe for Busy Lives

Hainan Chicken Rice is a classic dish that originates from the Hainan Island, located in the South China Sea. As China’s southernmost province and its second-largest island, Hainan is not only known for its beautiful beaches and tropical climate but also for its culinary contributions, with Hainan Chicken Rice being one of the most famous.

Traditionally, this dish is made with a whole chicken that is poached in a richly flavored broth containing ginger, green onions, and star anise. The resulting tender chicken is served with fragrant rice cooked in the same broth, accompanied by a flavorful dipping sauce and fresh vegetables.

However, in our fast-paced world, time is a precious commodity, and not everyone can afford to spend hours in the kitchen. This doesn't mean that you have to miss out on enjoying this delicious meal at home. Here's a simplified version of Hainan Chicken Rice that maintains the essence of the traditional recipe but can be made in a fraction of the time.

This quick and easy Hainan Chicken Rice recipe is perfect for those who want to enjoy a taste of Hainan without spending hours in the kitchen. It's a comforting and satisfying meal that brings a piece of Hainan's culinary heritage into your home. 

**Ingredients:

- 1 lb chicken thighs and legs

- 6 cups water

- 4 slices of ginger

- 2-star anise

**Marinade ingredients:

- 1 tsp salt

- 1 shallot, minced

- 2 green onions, slightly smashed

**Dipping Sauce ingredients:

- 1 tbsp minced ginger root

- 1 tbsp minced garlic

- 2 tsp each of fish sauce, sugar, and vinegar

**Main Ingredients:

- 1 cup rice

-1 tbsp oil

-1 slice ginger

-1 garlic, minced

Garnish:

- Cucumber and lettuce

Other necessities:

Sauté pan

Rice cooker

**Directions:

1. Begin by marinating the chicken thighs and legs with salt, minced shallot, and smashed green onions for at least 30 minutes.

2. In a pot, bring water to a boil and add the ginger slices and star anise.

3. Gently place the marinated chicken into the boiling water, reduce the heat, and let it simmer until the chicken is fully cooked.

4. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the rice by rinsing it under cold water until the water runs clear. In a sauté pan, add oil. When oil is hot, add garlic and ginger to cook until fragrant. Add rice and pan-fry the rice with ginger and garlic to add more flavor to this dish.

5. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the broth, and use the same broth to cook your rice. This will infuse the rice with the rich flavors of the broth. Use the rice cooker to finish cooking your rice. Depending on the rice you use, you need 1 1/3 cup of broth.

6. For the dipping sauce, combine minced ginger root, minced garlic, fish sauce, sugar, and vinegar in a small bowl.

7. Serve the cooked chicken over the fragrant rice, garnish with cucumber and lettuce, and enjoy with the dipping sauce on the side.