Thai Chicken Rice
Khao Man Gai, Thailand’s take on Hainanese chicken rice, is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender steamed chicken served over fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth. Accompanied by a rich, savory dipping sauce and a clear chicken soup, this dish is a harmonious blend of simplicity and nourishment.
A staple of Thai street food, Khao Man Gai is perfect for any meal of the day, offering a warm, satisfying experience that highlights the essence of comfort food.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
For the Rice:
For the Dipping Sauce:
For the Soup:
Instructions
Cook the Chicken:
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In a large pot, add the whole chicken, ginger slices, smashed garlic, cilantro stalks, and salt. Add enough water to cover the chicken completely.
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Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
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Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to rest. Reserve the broth for cooking the rice and making the soup.
Prepare the Rice:
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In a large saucepan, heat the chicken fat or vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
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Add the jasmine rice to the pan and stir to coat the rice with the garlic and ginger mixture.
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Pour in 3 cups of the reserved chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and cook the rice for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and fluffy.
Make the Dipping Sauce:
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In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, minced garlic, minced chilies, and minced ginger. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
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Add the chopped cilantro and mix well. Adjust the sauce to taste, balancing the salty, sour, and sweet flavors.
Prepare the Soup:
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Reheat the remaining chicken broth, adding salt and pepper to taste. If desired, add sliced daikon radish or winter melon to the soup and simmer until tender.
Assemble the Dish:
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Slice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Serve it over the fragrant rice, with the dipping sauce on the side.
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Ladle the clear chicken soup into bowls and serve alongside the chicken and rice.
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Garnish with fresh cucumber slices and cilantro for a refreshing touch
Maricel's Tips
- For an extra flavorful rice, try adding a few slices of pandan leaves to the pot when cooking the rice. The pandan adds a subtle, aromatic sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory chicken and rich dipping sauce.
- Don't forget to save some of that dipping sauce for the soup—it's a great way to add an extra punch of flavor to your broth!