Chinese Style One Pot Chicken Rice Recipe

Preparing this chicken and jasmine rice dish feels like a comforting culinary project, reminding me of slow Sunday afternoons spent crafting meals that warm both the kitchen and the soul. The blend of garlic, ginger, and soy mingling with the savory richness of chicken broth creates a harmonious balance, delivering flavors that evoke both nostalgia and a sense of adventure on every forkful.

This Chinese Style One Pot Chicken Rice is a speedy, savory, and comforting family meal. I love that a dish so deeply fragrant with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce can come together so quickly, yet taste as if it was simmered low and slow.

The rice cooks right with the chicken, soaking up every bit of heavenly flavor. It is delightful for dinner and even better as an easy meal prep option, because the leftovers are just as good heated up in the microwave.

Chinese Style One Pot Chicken Rice Recipe Ingredients

• Chicken Thighs: Rich in protein, providing a juicy and flavorful base.
• Jasmine Rice: Aromatic and fluffy, it offers a satisfying carbohydrate foundation.
• Soy Sauce: Adds umami and a savory depth, enhancing overall taste.
• Ginger: Infuses a warm, spicy kick, known for its anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Garlic: Delivers a pungent aroma, popular for its heart health benefits.
• Sesame Oil: Provides a nutty aroma, boosting richness and flavor complexity.
• Shaoxing Wine: Imparts a subtle sweetness, deepening the savory notes.

Chinese Style One Pot Chicken Rice Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 chicken thighs, skin-on and bone-in
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
• 2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed and drained
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon cilantro leaves, chopped
• Salt, to taste

How to Make this Chinese Style One Pot Chicken Rice Recipe

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat medium-high vegetable oil. Add chicken thighs, skin-side down, and sear until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken and sear the other side for another 3 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

2. In the same pot, put the minced garlic and sliced ginger. Stir in and fry for about 1 minute until fragrant.

3. Insert the jasmine rice into the pot and mix it with the oil, garlic, and ginger, as you would with a baby in a bath, to ensure the rice is thoroughly coated. This is very important for the final texture and flavor. Then cook the rice over medium heat for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

4. Add the chicken broth, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper. Stir together.

5. Replace the chicken thighs in the pot, laying them on top of the rice mixture. Cover with a tight-fitting lid.

6. Lower the heat and cook for 30 minutes on low, or until the rice is cooked and has sucked up all of the liquid.

7. Take the pot off the heat and let it stand, with the lid on, for another 10 minutes so the flavors can blend and marry.

8. Gently take out the chicken thighs from the pot, and put them on a cutting board. Allow them to rest for a minute or two before carving the meat away from the bone.

9. Use a fork to fluff the rice and taste it for seasoning. If necessary, add salt to the rice.

10. Place the chicken atop the rice, showering it with sliced green onions and cilantro. Savor the flavors. This dish works beautifully as a meal prep option. It reheats remarkably well.

Chinese Style One Pot Chicken Rice Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Large pot or Dutch oven with a lid
2. Tongs
3. Wooden spoon or spatula
4. Measuring spoons
5. Measuring cups
6. Cutting board
7. Chef’s knife
8. Fork

FAQ

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?Certainly, chicken thighs are often recommended for their juiciness and flavor. Cooking time may need to be adjusted for chicken breasts to prevent them from drying out.
• What substitutes can I use for Shaoxing wine?Dry sherry or a non-alcoholic substitute such as apple juice or rice vinegar with a touch of sugar is acceptable.
• Is it necessary to rinse the jasmine rice?Washing jasmine rice eliminates excess starch so the rice will cook up nonsticky. All rice has surface starch. When it is not removed, the starch boils and bubbles during cooking. The surface starch that remains on the rice is what makes it gummy.
• Can I make this recipe without oyster sauce?You can omit oyster sauce or use it in a fashion similar to the way you would use a depth-giving liquid like soy sauce. For a vegetarian version, substitute hoisin sauce or mushroom soy sauce.
• How can I make this dish spicier?Increase the heat level by adding sliced fresh chilies or a dash of chili oil.
• Do I need to marinate the chicken before cooking?You do not have to marinate, but if you want to, you can do it with soy sauce and a little ginger for some added flavor.
• Can I cook this in a rice cooker?Correct. Once the chicken has been browned and the ingredients have been prepped in the skillet, they can all be transferred to the rice cooker, where they will complete the cooking process.

Chinese Style One Pot Chicken Rice Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Canola oil or peanut oil can be used in place of vegetable oil.
Use tamari for a gluten-free option or liquid aminos for a soy-free version: soy sauce.
Oyster sauce: Substitute hoisin sauce or soy sauce mixed with a little sugar.
Shaoxing wine is a type of Chinese rice wine. If this ingredient is unavailable, here are two alternatives: mirin or dry white wine. Both can be used in equal amounts to replace Shaoxing wine.
Toasted sesame oil gives a stronger flavor than plain sesame oil. You can use toasted sesame oil in this recipe, or if you don’t have sesame oil, just leave it out.

Pro Tips

1. Marinate the Chicken: For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken thighs in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a bit of the minced garlic for 30 minutes before searing. This will infuse the chicken with more depth and richness.