Entree: China – Hainan – 海南鸡饭 ➤ Hainan ji fan (Hainanese chicken rice)

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 10 min

Cook 35 min

Total 45 min

Ingredients

- 1 whole chicken, approx. 3 lb (1.36 kg) total
- 2 cups (400 g) jasmine rice, uncooked

Instructions

1. Place the whole chicken in a pot large enough to cover it with water; add water to cover and bring to a gentle simmer, then cook gently until just done, about 30–35 minutes depending on size.
2. Carefully remove the chicken and reserve the poaching liquid; allow the chicken to cool slightly before carving into portions.
3. Rinse the jasmine rice, then cook it using the reserved strained poaching liquid in place of water (use a rice-to-liquid proportion appropriate for the rice) so the rice absorbs the chicken flavor; cook until tender.
4. Carve the chicken into serving portions and arrange atop or beside the cooked rice; spoon some of the strained warm poaching liquid over the rice when serving for added moisture and flavor.
5. Serve chicken portions with the fragrant rice from the same cooking liquid so the two components are served together.