Hainanese Chicken Rice

How to Make Hainanese Chicken Rice in Your Rice Cooker

Tired of instant ramen and dining hall food? Ready to absolutely flex on your roommates/friends/dates with restaurant-quality Asian comfort food? This Hainanese chicken rice recipe is about to become your secret weapon – and you can make it entirely in a rice cooker.

Why This Recipe is Perfect for College Life

Budget-friendly: One chicken feeds like 4 people for under $15 total Minimal cleanup: Everything happens in your rice cooker Meal prep king: Makes enough for multiple days Zero cooking skills required: If you can press a button, you can make this Instagram-worthy: Your food pics are about to hit different

Shopping List (All at Your Regular Grocery Store)

The Protein:

  • Chicken thighs/drumstick/bone-in breast (easier to handle, stays juicy AND cheaper)

The Flavor Base:

  • 1 cups jasmine rice, preferable (source: I'm Asian)
  • Fresh ginger or ginger if you're lazy like me
  • Green onions/scallions
  • Shallots or onions powder because no one has time for that 
  • Neutral cooking oil
  • Chicken bouillon powder or MSG (please don't be afraid to use that Asian white powder)
  • Chicken stock or water

The Sauce Station:

  • Fresh chilies or sriracha
  • Sesame oil
  • Soy sauce
  • Lime or lemon

The Method

    1. Please, wash your rice until the water run clear
    2. Toss ginger, shallots and the white part of green onions into the rice cooker, turn it on with some neutral cooking oil and stir until fragrant
    3. Add rice, stir it around for 2 mins
    4. Add chicken stock or water to the 1 cup line marked in your rice cooker, minus about 1 tablespoon
    5. Add your chicken
    6. Rice cooker button = pressed. Magic = happening.

    7. While rice cooks, make these fire sauces:

      • Scallion oil:  Scallions + hot oil + salt + 30s microwave = chef's kiss
      • Chili situation: Blend chilies with lime, sugar, salt OR just mix sriracha with soy sauce (no judgment)

    Assembly Time (Make It Look Professional)

    Slice that chicken, fan it over the fragrant rice, add cucumber slices for freshness, and set out your sauces.

    Hacks & Talk

    Meal Prep King/Queen: This makes 2+ servings. Pack it in containers for the week and watch your dining hall money stretch.

    Dorm Friendly: One appliance, minimal mess. Your RA won't come for you.

    When Your Friends Ask "How Did You..."

    Just casually mention you "whipped up some Hainanese chicken rice" like it's no big deal. Watch them Google what that even is while you're over here living your best foodie life.

    The real flex isn't just making good food – it's making restaurant-quality food that costs less than a single DoorDash order and feeds you for days. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.

    Bottom line: Stop settling for sad desk salads and overpriced food. Your rice cooker is capable of way more than you think, and this dish proves it. One successful batch and you'll be the friend everyone hits up when they're craving some comfort.

    For bonus points with whoever you are trying to impress, or just a boost of that happy brain juice whenever you cook, use our insanely cute and simple to use rice cooker!