Hainanese Chicken Rice

Make the Hainanese Chicken

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Rub the chicken all over with rock salt to remove impurities. Do this two to three times until you see that the skin is clean.

3. Place the chicken in a pot deep enough to allow the chicken to be submerged in the cooking liquid. Pour in the rice wine and enough chicken broth so that there is at least an inch of liquid above the chicken.

4. Bring to a boil, skimming off any scum that rises; then lower the heat so that the liquid is barely simmering.

5. Add the shallots, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, peppercorns, and salt, if the broth is unsalted. Cover the pot and let the chicken poach—about 45 minutes.

6. When the poaching time is finished, turn off the heat but leave the chicken in the pot, still covered, for another 10 minutes.

7. Using kitchen tongs, lift the chicken out of the broth. The best way to not break the skin is to insert one arm of the tongs into the cavity of the chicken.

8. Place the chicken in a shallow bowl, cover very loosely with aluminum foil and leave to cool for at least an hour. (Some cooks plunge the chicken in an ice bath to expedite the cooling process.)

9. Meanwhile, strain the broth and measure 3 cups broth to cook the rice in. Let the broth cool.

Make the Rice

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. In a medium to large pot, add the cold broth to the rice and bring the mixture to a boil.

3. Cover tightly, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed.

4. Keeping the pan covered, remove the pan from the heat, and let the rice stand for another 15 minutes to steam.

5. Fluff the rice with a fork.

Make the Dipping Sauce

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Mix together the grated ginger, chopped scallions, peanut oil, and enough salt to taste.

Cut the Chicken and Serve 

1. Transfer the chicken to a chopping board. It will have to be chopped through the bones so you'll need a heavy knife for the job. Find the joint that connects the thigh (not the leg) from the back and carefully cut through the joint, leaving the leg attached to the thigh.

2. Do the same for the other leg and thigh.

3. Find the joints that connect the "little drumsticks" (drummettes) to the breast and cut through the joints to separate both wings from the breast. Set aside the thighs and wings.

4. Cut through the middle of the breast meat.

5. Then chop all the way through to cut the chicken into halves.

6. Lay the first half flat on the chopping board. Slice the meat at 1-inch intervals. Chop through the bones right where you have sliced the meat.

7. Do the same for the thighs and wings.

8. Pile the chicken slices on a platter. Serve with the chicken rice, remaining broth, and dipping sauce. Enjoy!