Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt, a thumb-sized piece of smashed ginger, and 4-5 smashed garlic cloves.
- Gently lower the whole chicken into the pot and immediately reduce the heat. Poach uncovered for 20-25 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the chicken steep for another 20-25 minutes to continue cooking in the residual heat.
- Remove the chicken and plunge it into cold water for 5-6 minutes to achieve the distinctive gelatinous skin texture. Drain and set aside to dry before cutting.
- Reserve 3½ cups of the poaching liquid to use as chicken stock for the rice and sauces.
- For the rice, wash 3 cups of long grain rice and drain in a colander until dry.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of chicken fat with skin in a wok or pan. Add 2 tablespoons of water to help render the fat.
- Once the oil releases, add 2-3 cm of grated ginger and 3-4 grated garlic cloves. Fry until fragrant but not burned.
- Remove the spent chicken skin and fat pieces. Add the dried rice and 1-2 teaspoons of salt, stir-frying for 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer the rice mixture to a rice cooker or pot. Add 3½ cups of reserved chicken broth and screwpine leaves if using. Cook until the rice is fluffy.
- For the chili sauce, blend 10 fresh red chilies, a 2 cm piece of ginger, 4 garlic cloves, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon lime juice, and 2 tablespoons of chicken stock until smooth.
- For the ginger sauce, blend 75g ginger, 6 garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon lime juice, and 2 tablespoons chicken stock until smooth.
- For the chicken sauce, combine 1 tablespoon garlic oil, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 5 tablespoons light soy sauce, 1½ tablespoons sugar, and 3 tablespoons chicken broth. Mix well.
- Slice the chicken into serving pieces and drizzle with the chicken sauce.
- Serve the chicken with the fragrant rice, all three dipping sauces, sliced cucumber, fresh coriander leaves, and spring onions.
Nutrition
Notes
For the best results, use a free-range chicken as it provides superior flavor for this dish where chicken is the star ingredient. The chicken fat is essential for authentic flavor in the rice, but in a pinch, you can substitute with vegetable oil and a bit of chicken bouillon. If screwpine leaves aren't available, you can omit them or use a bay leaf instead.
This dish is traditionally served at room temperature or slightly warm, not piping hot. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days - store the chicken, rice, and sauces separately for best results.
For a complete meal, serve with a simple clear soup made from the remaining chicken broth, or add stir-fried greens like bok choy with oyster sauce.
