Hainanese Chicken and Rice

Though this dish is named for Hainan province in China, it’s popular in several Southeast Asian countries and is widely regarded as one of Singapore’s national foods. It’s a humble preparation but is exceptional when done well: ultra-tender, super-silky poached chicken served with rice cooked in a rich, fragrant chicken broth, with Indonesian sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) and additional condiments offered alongside, such as our ginger-chili dipping sauce, see following recipe. Rather than use a whole chicken, which is traditional, we use chicken breasts to keep the cooking as brief as possible. An instant thermometer is the best way to test the chicken's doneness. If you can’t find sweet soy sauce but would like to offer it for serving, you can make your own.