The Best Yumblink Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
Hey there, food lovers! If you’re like me, you know I can never get enough of my claypot and one-pot dishes. So today, I’m bringing you a twist on one of my all-time favorites Hainanese Chicken Rice transformed into a comforting claypot rice that’s packed with flavor. It may not be quite the same as the classic dish, but trust me, it definitely hits the spot! Plus, there’s nothing quite like the crispy bottom that forms when cooking rice in a claypot. Let’s dive into this delicious dish, shall we?
Method
1. Prepare the Chicken
Start by preparing the chicken thighs for cooking. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, chicken powder, turmeric powder, and sesame oil. Rub this mixture generously over the skin of the chicken thighs. This seasoning will help infuse the chicken with flavor and give the skin a golden, crispy texture when cooked. Set the chicken aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Soak the Rice
Next, wash the jasmine rice thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch. This helps achieve fluffy rice without stickiness. If you’re using long-grain rice, it’s best to soak it for about 30 minutes to soften it up. Once soaked, drain the rice and set it aside.
3. Start Cooking the Rice
Now, let’s get the claypot going. Over medium heat, add the chicken fat (or some oil) into the claypot and let it render. As the fat melts, you’ll notice a delicious aroma starting to fill the air. Once the fat is melted and hot, add the minced garlic, shallots, spring onions, and ginger into the pot. Fry them for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything becomes fragrant and slightly golden. This step is key to building the flavors for your rice.
4. Cook the Rice
After the aromatics have sautéed, add the washed rice into the claypot and stir it gently to coat it with the chicken fat and the seasonings. Then, pour in the chicken broth. Give it a quick stir to make sure everything is evenly distributed. Bring the broth to a boil, and once it starts bubbling, carefully place the prepared chicken thighs on top of the rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and allow the rice and chicken to cook for 18-20 minutes. The steam will cook the rice while infusing it with the savory flavors of the chicken.
5. Crispy Bottom
To get that perfect crispy bottom something we all love in claypot cooking turn the heat to medium-high once the rice and chicken are done cooking. Drizzle a little more oil around the edges of the claypot, making sure it coats the sides. Let it cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes. This will allow the rice at the bottom to crisp up, forming a golden, crunchy crust that contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken and fluffy rice.
Necessary Tools
- Claypot or Dutch oven
- Sharp knife and chopping board
- Small bowls for mixing
- Frying pan for crispy bottom
Hainanese Chicken Rice Inspired Claypot Rice
Cuisine: Fusion, ChineseDifficulty: EasyServings
3
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking time
30
minutesTotal time
45
minutesIngredients
For the Chicken
2 skin-on bone-in chicken thighs
1/4 tsp chicken powder
1/4 tsp turmeric
Pinch of salt (for rubbing on chicken skin and a bit for the sauce)
2 tsp sesame oil
Some chicken fat (or oil) from the chicken thighs
1-2 spring onions, minced
1/2 shallot, minced
1/2-inch ginger, minced
1 garlic clove, sliced
160-170ml chicken broth
150g jasmine rice
For the Scallion Ginger Oil
2 spring onions
1/2-inch ginger
Pinch of salt
1-2 tbsp hot oil
For the Sweet Soy Sauce
1 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy)
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tsp oyster sauce
1/2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp broth
Splash of sesame oil
For the Chilli Sauce
3 chiles
2 garlic cloves
1/2-inch ginger
1 tsp oil
1/2 lime
1/2 tsp vinegar
Pinch of salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp broth
Directions
- Prepare the Chicken Mix salt, chicken powder, turmeric powder, and oil together, then rub it onto the skin of the chicken thighs. This will give the skin a nice golden color when it cooks.
- Soak the Rice Wash the rice thoroughly. If you’re using long-grain rice, soak it in water for about 30 minutes to soften it up.
- Start Cooking the Rice In your claypot, heat the chicken fat over medium heat to render it. Then, add garlic, shallots, spring onions, and ginger. Fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook the Rice Add the washed rice into the pot, followed by the chicken broth. Bring it to a boil, then carefully place the chicken on top. Reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it cook for 18-20 minutes, allowing all the flavors to blend together.
- Crispy Bottom If you love that crispy rice bottom, here’s the trick! Turn the heat to medium-high, drizzle some oil around the edges, and cook for 2-3 minutes. The result? A perfect crispy bottom!
Notes
- Rice Texture If you want the rice to be extra fluffy, be sure not to stir it too much once you add the broth. Stirring can cause the rice to turn sticky. Let it cook undisturbed for the best texture!
- Crispy Bottom Tip Don’t leave the rice on high heat for too long when making the crispy bottom, as it can burn quickly. Keep an eye on it and adjust the heat accordingly.
- Chicken Thighs Make sure the chicken thighs are cooked thoroughly, especially since we’re using bone-in pieces. The best way to check is to make sure the juices run clear when pierced with a knife.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is perfect on its own, but if you want to make it a complete meal, serve it with a side of stir-fried greens or a fresh cucumber salad to balance out the richness of the chicken. You can also top it off with a fried egg for some extra protein!
Fun Fact
Did you know that Hainanese chicken rice was originally a dish brought over by Chinese immigrants from Hainan Province in southern China to Singapore? It’s a beloved dish in Southeast Asia and has become a global comfort food favorite!
Conclusion
This Hainanese Chicken Rice-inspired claypot rice may not be an exact replica of the traditional dish, but it’s a comforting, flavorful, and crispy twist that’s sure to please! It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for those cozy days when you want a hearty meal that brings all the warmth and joy. Give it a try, and I promise you won’t regret it!
