Thai Khao Man Gai Recipe
Description
Thai Khao Man Gai is one of Thailand’s most beloved comfort foods. Inspired by Hainanese chicken rice, this popular street food features succulent poached chicken served over aromatic rice cooked in chicken broth and chicken fat. The dish is traditionally accompanied by a bold, savory dipping sauce made with fermented soybean sauce, garlic, ginger, chilies, and vinegar.
Simple yet incredibly flavorful, Thai Khao Man Gai is a complete meal that combines tender chicken, fragrant rice, refreshing cucumber, and a perfectly balanced sauce. Whether you're looking for an authentic Thai lunch or a satisfying family dinner, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results at home.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 50 minutes
Rest Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Difficulty: Easy
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Authentic Thai street food flavor.
- Tender and juicy poached chicken.
- Fragrant garlic-infused rice.
- Flavor-packed homemade dipping sauce.
- Simple ingredients with impressive results.
- Perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Family-friendly and satisfying.
- Great for meal prep.
How to Make
1. Poach the Chicken
Place the chicken in a large pot and cover with water.
Add ginger, garlic, and salt.
Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the chicken is fully cooked.
Remove the chicken and reserve the broth.
2. Prepare the Rice
Render the chicken fat in a pan.
Sauté garlic until fragrant.
Add jasmine rice and stir to coat.
Transfer to a rice cooker and cook with the reserved chicken broth.
3. Make the Sauce
Combine fermented soybean sauce, garlic, ginger, chilies, vinegar, sugar, and a little broth.
Mix until well combined.
4. Rest and Slice
Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes.
Slice into serving portions.
5. Assemble
Place rice on serving plates.
Arrange sliced chicken on top.
Add cucumber slices and cilantro.
Serve with the dipping sauce.
Tips for Perfect Thai Khao Man Gai
- Use bone-in chicken for richer broth.
- Simmer gently to keep the chicken tender.
- Cook the rice with homemade chicken broth for maximum flavor.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing.
- Adjust the chili level in the sauce to taste.
Delicious Recipe Variations
Chicken Breast Version
Use boneless chicken breasts for a leaner option.
Spicy Khao Man Gai
Add extra Thai bird's eye chilies to the sauce.
Brown Rice Version
Substitute jasmine rice with brown rice.
Garlic Lover's Version
Increase the amount of fried garlic in the rice.
What to Serve with Thai Khao Man Gai
- Thai cucumber salad
- Clear chicken soup
- Pickled vegetables
- Fresh cilantro
- Thai iced tea
- Stir-fried morning glory
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the chicken and rice to cool completely.
Store separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently before serving.
Can Thai Khao Man Gai Be Frozen?
Yes.
Freeze the chicken and rice separately in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
For the Rice
For the Dipping Sauce
For Serving
Instructions
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Simmer the chicken with water, ginger, garlic, and salt until fully cooked and tender.
-
Remove the chicken, reserve the broth, and allow the chicken to rest.
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Sauté garlic in chicken fat, add jasmine rice, then cook with reserved broth until fluffy.
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Mix all dipping sauce ingredients in a bowl until combined.
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Slice the rested chicken into serving pieces.
-
Arrange rice on plates and top with sliced chicken.
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Serve with cucumber, cilantro, and dipping sauce.
