Khao Man Gai: Thai Comfort Food at Its Finest
Thai Chicken and Rice, known as Khao Man Gai, is a beloved comfort food in Thailand. This dish features succulent poached chicken served atop aromatic jasmine rice, cooked in chicken broth and garlic. Accompanied by a flavorful ginger-garlic dipping sauce and a light, refreshing cucumber salad, Khao Man Gai offers a harmonious experience with a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will take you to the lively street markets of Thailand. This recipe will become a favorite in your home, ideal for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Rice:
- 1 whole chicken about 3-4 pounds
- 8 cups water
- 2- inch piece of ginger sliced
- 6 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 onion
- 1 lemon grass chopped
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- 4 cups chicken broth from cooking the chicken
- 4 cloves garlic minced
For the Sauce:
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons ginger minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chili chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup spring onion chopped
For the Cucumber Salad:
- 2 cucumbers thinly sliced
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Begin by poaching the chicken. Combine the whole chicken, water, ginger, garlic, onion, lemon grass and salt, pepper in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 45-60 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. (Skim off any foam that rises to the surface during cooking). Once done, remove the chicken from the broth and let it cool slightly before carving into pieces. Reserve the broth for cooking the rice.
- Cook the rice : Prepare the rice. Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a large pot, heat the minced garlic until fragrant. Add the rice and stir for a few minutes. Pour in 4 cups of the reserved chicken broth, boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving. ( optional- cook rice in rice cooker)
- Make the sauce. While the rice is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, ginger, chopped fresh chili (if using), and spring onions. Stir well to dissolve the sugar and combine all the flavors. Adjust the seasoning to taste, balancing the saltiness, sweetness, and acidity.
- Prepare the cucumber salad. For a refreshing side, make the cucumber salad. In a bowl, add cucumbers, vinegar, sugar, salt, and Thai chili's if using. Mix well to combine, let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Assemble and Serve To serve, place a generous portion of the rice on each plate, topped with slices of poached chicken. Serve with the ginger-garlic dipping sauce on the side and a small cucumber salad. Garnish with fresh cilantro and additional chili, if desired. Enjoy this dish warm, savoring the blend of textures and flavors.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 35gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 1200mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6g
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