Silky Ginger Hainanese Chicken Rice

0/4

Work top to bottom — prep ahead while timers run

Gather everything first, then follow the steps

Protein· 1

  • 140 g chicken breast140g

Carbs· 1

  • 55 g rice55g

Vegetables· 4

  • 3 slices ginger + 1 tsp minced10g
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced(staple)8g
  • 60 g cucumber, sliced60g
  • 1 spring onion(optional)10g

Sauces· 1

  • 1½ tsp light soy(staple)8g

Spices· 2

  • ⅓ stock cube(staple)3g
  • pinch of salt(staple)1g

Fats & oils· 1

  • ½ tsp sesame oil(staple)3g
  1. Rinse rice into the cooker with slightly less water than usual, the minced ginger, half the garlic and the stock cube; stir.

    Why? Less water because the chicken will release juices onto the rice — free 'chicken rice' flavour that replaces the traditional spoonful of chicken fat.

    Tip: For extra fragrance, microwave the ginger-garlic with a few drops of oil for 30 s first.

    Next up:Salt the chicken breast lightly, lay it flat on the rice with the ginger slices, press cook.

  2. 20 min · hands-free

    Salt the chicken breast lightly, lay it flat on the rice with the ginger slices, press cook.

    Why? Rice steam holds near 100 °C — the gentle environment chicken breast loves, far more forgiving than a rolling boil.
    Watch out: Lay the chicken in one flat layer — stacked pieces won't cook through.
    20:00

    Next up:After it clicks to 'keep warm', rest 5 min before opening. Slice the chicken; check the thickest part shows no pink.

  3. After it clicks to 'keep warm', rest 5 min before opening. Slice the chicken; check the thickest part shows no pink.

    Why? The 5-min rest lets juices redistribute — slice immediately and they end up on the board, not in the meat.

    Tip: Not quite done? Lid back on for 5 more minutes — residual steam finishes the job.

    Next up:Mix soy, sesame oil and the rest of the garlic into a sauce. Plate rice, chicken, cucumber, spring onion.

  4. Mix soy, sesame oil and the rest of the garlic into a sauce. Plate rice, chicken, cucumber, spring onion.

    Why? Concentrating flavour in a dip instead of stirring it through the rice gives the same satisfaction for half the oil and salt.

    Tip: ~35 g protein on this plate. Want heat? 1 tsp of sambal adds just ~8 kcal.