Hainanese Chicken Rice

One step, one Pot, less than 5 ingredients, and you’ve got an authentic tasting Hainanese Chicken Rice Instant Pot recipe that your whole family will love.

Hainanese Chicken Rice dish served on a white plate with a bowl of soup in the background. - 2

What Makes This Hainan Chicken So Good?

Fast. Made in less than 30 minutes with the help of this Instant Pot recipe .
Easy. A simple pour and cook recipe .
Few Ingredients. Made with less than 5 ingredients .
Authentic tasting. Not an authentic cooking method, but the flavor is fantastic.

What Is Hainanese Chicken Rice?

Hainanese Chicken Rice is a rice and chicken dish that is very popular in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. It is called Khao Man Gai in Thailand. It is based on Wenchang Chicken, a popular Chinese dish that has been adopted in various regions of Asia.

How Do You Make Traditional Hainanese Chicken?

I just want to say, I do know how to make this dish properly I just don’t want to spend hours making it. I wanted it for dinner and if you want proper Hainanese chicken for dinner you better start early.

Boil the chicken. People traditionally use chicken breast but you can also use chicken thighs.
Submerge the chicken in cold water to get a smooth texture.
Make rice with rendered chicken fat.
Make a killer sauce to serve with it.

Of course, that’s not how I did it. But I promise you’ll be just as satisfied with this version.

What Kind Of Chicken Should You Use?

I typically use skinless chicken breast, but if you use chicken with the skin still on it, it renders more fat. More fat equals more flavor for the rice.

If you prefer to use chicken thighs, I’ve tried it this way too. It’s just as delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup Basmati Rice - The base of the dish. It’s fluffy, aromatic rice that soaks up the rich chicken flavors. Rinsing removes excess starch, ensuring the grains stay separate and light after pressure cooking.
1 cup Water - Provides the necessary liquid for the rice to cook evenly in the Instant Pot while helping to steam the chicken and infuse the rice with its savory juices.
1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs - The star protein of the dish, delivering tender, juicy meat that flavors both the rice and the broth during pressure cooking. Thighs are traditional for their richer taste, but breasts can be used for a leaner version.
1 pack Asian Gourmet Hainanese Chicken Rice Mix - A convenient blend of seasonings and aromatic ingredients (typically including garlic, ginger, and pandan essence) that gives the rice its signature Hainanese flavor without needing to make the paste from scratch.

How To Make Hainan Chicken Rice

Pour. Put rice and water in the Instant Pot
Add. Place chicken breast or thighs cut into small pieces on top of the rice.
Dump. Pour in the paste
Cook. Set your Instant Pot to high pressure for 6 minutes, 10 Mins NPR

So, of course, I cooked the chicken and the rice in one pot and I used a mix that contains ginger and fat. No really, I use a mix for this. You guys know I never use pre-made mixes, but I do use this Asian Gourmet Hainanese Chicken Rice Mix because it is AWESOME and effortless.

This is a super family-friendly dish that’s hard to get wrong if you make it my “lazy person” way.

Where’s The Dipping Sauce?

Traditionally this Hainan Chicken recipe is served with a super flavorful and delicious dipping sauce. But I was in a hurry when I created this recipe and it was good without it. If you have a few extra minutes and want to take the dish up a notch, try making this dipping sauce. You’ll need:

Sriracha
Minced Ginger
Minced Garlic
Sesame Oil
Sugar
Lime Juice
Water

You’ll want to mix this together and serve on the side to drizzle over the Hainan Chicken .

Tips And Tricks

Here are some helpful tips and tricks for making Instant Pot Hainan Chicken Rice to ensure it turns out perfectly fragrant and flavorful every time:

Rinse the Rice Thoroughly . Wash the basmati rice until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. This helps keep the grains fluffy instead of sticky.
Use Chicken Thighs for Maximum Flavor . Boneless, skinless thighs produce richer, more flavorful broth and juicier meat than chicken breasts.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pot . Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer on top of the rice to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution.
Natural Pressure Release . Let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes before opening the lid. This keeps the chicken tender and prevents the rice from becoming gummy.

Variations

Here are some creative variations for making Instant Pot Hainan Chicken Rice so you can easily adjust the dish to different tastes, diets, or ingredients you have on hand:

Lemon-Ginger - Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon grated ginger to the rice mixture for a zesty, aromatic twist that brightens up the flavor.
Coconut - Replace half of the water with ½ cup coconut milk for a creamier, subtly sweet version that complements the savory chicken beautifully.
Spicy - Stir 1 teaspoon chili garlic paste or sambal oelek into the cooking liquid for a gentle heat, or serve with a spicy chili-lime dipping sauce on the side.

What To Eat With Hainanese Chicken

Instant Pot Hainan Chicken Rice is satisfying on its own, but it truly shines when paired with light, flavorful sides and sauces that complement its savory, aromatic profile. Here are some delicious serving ideas to make your meal complete:

Ginger-Scallion Sauce - Simply blend scallions, grated ginger, and hot oil for a fragrant condiment that enhances the chicken’s natural flavor.
Spicy Chili Sauce - Serve with a homemade or store-bought chili-garlic sauce for a bit of heat and tang that balances the rich, savory rice.
Sliced Cucumbers - Cool, crisp cucumbers add freshness and crunch, cutting through the richness of the chicken and rice.
Light Broth Soup - Traditionally served alongside Hainan chicken rice, a clear chicken or vegetable broth helps cleanse the palate between bites.

How Long Does It Last?

Instant Pot Hainan Chicken Rice keeps well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. Make sure the rice and chicken are cooled completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation and sogginess.

When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth or water to restore the rice’s fluffy texture and moisture.

Can You Freeze It?

For longer storage, you can freeze portions of the rice and chicken separately for up to 3 months.

Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as desired for a quick, flavorful meal.

Want More Instant Pot Recipes?

Instant Pot Butter Chicken is an easy 30-minute dinner and you can make rice on top of it, as the video shows.
Pressure Cooker Rice and Dal is a great vegetarian rice dinner.
This Lebanese Lentil and Rice dish is another great Vegetarian Instant Pot recipe .
Instant Pot Indian Khichadi is comfort food in a bowl!
Instant Pot Risotto with Shrimp is another one-pot comfort meal.
Buffalo chicken casserole for the days you want low carb recipes
You might also like low carb Chicken Biryani that uses riced cauliflower.
Chicken and Mushrooms are a great combo.
My kids love Instant Pot Pork Chops with Rice and Vegetables
Zucchini Lasagna - You won’t even miss the pasta.
Haluski Recipe - A wonderful cabbage and noodles recipe.

Hainanese Chicken and Rice served on a white plate with omatoes and cucumber. - 3

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