Hainanese Chicken Rice Balls

Method

1. 01
   Step 1Poach the chicken35 min

   Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 3 spring onion whites, 10 g ginger, 1 tbsp sea salt and 1 tbsp black peppercorns. Add the whole chicken breast-side down and cook for 30-40 minutes (depends on how large your chicken is) until tender, then immediately shock in an ice water bath.

   ChickenScallion3 pc of 3 pcGinger10 g of 60 gSaltBlack pepper
2. 02
   Step 2Make the chilli sauce

   Pound 3 red chillies and 8 garlic cloves in a pestle and mortar until smooth, then mix in lime juice, 1 ½ tbsp sugar, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp MSG. Mix well then add 1-2 tbsp of the chicken broth.

   Chili pepperGarlic8 clove of 10 cloveLime juiceSugarSaltMonosodium glutamate0.3 tsp of 0.5 tspChicken stock
3. 03
   Step 3Finish poaching the chicken20 min

   Return the chicken to the pot and cook on low heat for 20 minutes - this gives tender chicken with silky skin.

   Chicken
4. 04
   Step 4Make the ginger spring onion sauce

   Pound 50 g ginger, then add finely sliced spring onion greens. Heat the sesame oil in a small pot until lightly smoking, add to the sauce along with 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp MSG and soy sauce.

   Ginger50 g of 60 gScallionSesame oilSaltMonosodium glutamate0.3 tsp of 0.5 tspSoy sauce
5. 05
   Step 5Cook the pandan rice

   Wash both rices until the water runs clear. In a pot, melt butter, add 2 garlic cloves and sliced ginger and sauté until fragrant. Add the rice, then cover with chicken broth until it reaches the first knuckle of your finger above the rice. Add the pandan leaf, bring to a boil, then cover and cook on low heat until fluffy.

   RiceJasmine riceSalted butterGarlic2 clove of 10 cloveGingerChicken stockPandan leaf
6. 06
   Step 6Chop the chicken

   Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

   Chicken
7. 07
   Step 7Serve

   Serve the sliced chicken with pandan rice, cucumber slices, both the chilli and ginger spring onion sauces.

   Note

   Traditionally the rice is rolled into balls for easier carrying and to keep warm longer.

   ChickenRiceJasmine riceCucumber