One-Pot Hainanese Chicken Rice (In a Rice Cooker!)

If there’s one dish that’s comforting, flavorful, and perfect for the whole family, it’s Hainanese chicken rice! This beloved dish, known for its tender poached chicken, fragrant rice, and savory sauces, is a staple in Southeast Asian cuisine. But the best part? You can make it effortlessly in a rice cooker!

By cooking everything in one pot, you’ll save time, reduce cleanup, and still get all the rich flavors of traditional Hainanese chicken rice. The chicken stays juicy, the rice is infused with aromatic broth, and your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing! Plus, kids love the mild yet savory flavors, making it a perfect family meal.

Pro Tips for Perfect Hainanese Chicken Rice

1. Use Bone-In Chicken for More Flavor – While boneless works fine, cooking with bone-in, skin-on chicken makes the broth richer and the meat juicier.
2. Rinse the Rice – Washing the rice 2-3 times removes excess starch, making it fluffy instead of sticky.
3. Don’t Skip the Ginger-Scallion Sauce – This sauce is a game-changer! It adds so much flavor and pairs perfectly with the chicken and rice.
4. Let the Chicken Rest – After cooking, let the chicken sit for 5 minutes before slicing to keep it moist.
5. Adjust the Sauces for Kids – If serving little ones, you can skip the chili sauce and offer extra soy sauce instead.

Tools You’ll Need

• Rice cooker
• Cutting board & knife
• Small mixing bowls
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Spatula or spoon

Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes

Substitutions & Variations

• Protein Swap: Use boneless thighs, drumsticks, or even tofu for a vegetarian version.
• Rice Alternative: Substitute brown rice (increase cooking time) or quinoa.
• Extra Aromatics: Add pandan leaves or lemongrass to enhance the fragrance.

Make-Ahead Tips

• You can marinate the chicken in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger a few hours ahead for extra flavor.
• The ginger-scallion sauce can be made 3-4 days in advance and stored in the fridge.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rinse the rice.

2. Sauté the Aromatics – In the rice cooker, set to sauté mode (or use a pan), heat sesame oil. Add garlic, ginger, and green onions, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.

3. Cook the Chicken & Rice – Add rinsed rice to the pot and stir to coat with aromatics. Place chicken breast (or thighs) on top. Pour in chicken broth, add soy sauce, salt, and white pepper. Cover and cook on the “white rice” setting (about 25-30 minutes).

4. Make the Ginger-Scallion Sauce – Heat vegetable oil in a small pan. Pour over grated ginger, chopped green onions, and salt in a bowl. Stir and let sit.

5. Slice and Serve! – Remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Fluff the rice, then serve with cucumber slices, sauces, and fresh cilantro.

Leftovers & Storage

• Fridge: Store chicken and rice separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Steam or microwave with a little water to keep it moist.

I hope you love this easy, family-friendly Hainanese chicken and rice! Let me know how it turned out in the comments below.

Check out a range of one-pot rice cooker recipes you may not have thought of.

Recipe Card: Easy Rice Cooker Hainanese Chicken Rice

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!