Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try Recipe
Wrap yourself in a bowl of pure comfort with Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try. Imagine sizzling, golden-crisp rice crowned with tender poached chicken and dunked in fragrant ginger-chicken broth, all heaped with a punchy scallion sauce and spicy chili crisp. It’s the shortcut to deep, nostalgic flavor, perfect for weeknights or when you’re craving a warm, soul-hugging meal without fuss. This soup brings together a beloved classic and clever technique, making it a dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s break down just how few ingredients it takes to make a pot of magic! Each element is more than an ingredient—it’s a game-changer for texture, flavor, or that signature hit of color and aroma. It’s simplicity with a purpose, right down to the finishing swirl of chili crisp.
- Chicken breasts (450–500 g, skin-on preferred): Skin-on gives luscious flavor and extra fat for crisping, while always guaranteeing juicy, tender meat.
- Cooked rice (1 ½ cups, long-grain, jasmine, or brown): Leftover rice works a treat and crisps up beautifully for a surprising twist in every spoonful.
- Chicken broth (600 ml): Go for a good-quality broth for the cleanest, most comforting chicken flavor in every sip.
- Spring onions (3): Double duty—both as a zippy finishing sauce and for enriching your broth with savory depth.
- Fresh ginger (2.5 cm, peeled and grated): Ginger injects the soup with vibrant, fragrant heat, tying all the flavors together.
- Neutral oil (4 tablespoons): You need an oil that can handle heat—think vegetable or grapeseed—for that dazzling scallion-ginger sauce and golden rice.
- Chili crisp (for serving): Just a drizzle turns every slurp into a lively, craveable experience.
- Salt (to taste): Essential at every stage, bringing all the elements into perfect harmony.
How to Make Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try
Step 1: Prep the Aromatics
Start by grating the fresh ginger and thinly slicing your spring onions. Keep the green and white parts for the sauce, and toss the trimmings in a separate pile—they’re headed for the broth. This little bit of prep sets the foundation for flavor, so don’t skip it!
Step 2: Sizzle the Scallion-Ginger Sauce
Gather the sliced spring onions and ginger in a heatproof bowl. Heat the neutral oil until shimmering and just smoking—this is key! Carefully pour the hot oil over your bowl of aromatics. The sizzle is your sign you’re on the right track. Stir in a good pinch of salt and set the sauce aside to cool. Turquoise-green scallions, sharp ginger, and smoky oil—perfection!
Step 3: Build the Base with Broth
In a large saucepan, add your chicken broth, along with the reserved spring onion and ginger trimmings. Bring the broth to a lively boil and let all those scraps infuse their magic. This step is how Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try gets that savory depth without simmering for hours.
Step 4: Gently Poach the Chicken
Once the broth is bubbling, gently lower in the chicken breasts. Immediately turn off the heat, cover, and let the residual warmth poach the meat for 15–20 minutes. This low-effort, super-tender method is what makes this such an ‘ultimate’ recipe. Use a thermometer to check for 65°C if you want to be precise.
Step 5: Crisp Up the Rice
While the chicken is poaching, don’t let your pan go to waste! Use it to crisp up the cooked rice in any rendered chicken fat (or add a bit more oil if needed). Press the rice into an even layer and cook over medium-high heat until you get that irresistible golden crust—about 10–12 minutes. The crispy rice provides a wild, fun contrast in every bite.
Step 6: Slice, Strain, and Season
Remove the chicken breasts from the pot. Give the broth a good strain to catch any stray bits, then season to taste with a little salt for a bright, clear, deeply chicken-y soup base. Slice the chicken as thick or thin as you like!
Step 7: Assemble and Serve
Divide the beautiful crisped rice among bowls, then arrange those glossy chicken slices on top. Pour the hot, clear broth over everything. Drizzle liberally with the cooled scallion-ginger sauce and a spoonful of chili crisp. That’s Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try at its most glorious—serve immediately and dig in while it’s piping hot.
How to Serve Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try
Garnishes
Go wild with your toppings! A generous spoonful of scallion-ginger sauce adds brightness and a dash of fresh spring onions give another green pop. For spice lovers, don’t hold back with the chili crisp. You can also add freshly chopped cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, or a wedge of lime for an extra layer of flavor. These finishing touches are not just pretty—they make every spoonful even more craveable.
Side Dishes
A small dish of lightly pickled cucumbers or radishes adds crunch and acidity, which compliment the soup’s richness. Steamed greens—bok choy, Chinese broccoli, or even tender spinach—make a lovely fresh companion. If you feel like doubling down, a simple side of lightly buttered toast or steamed rice buns is never amiss for soaking up every drop of broth.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the soup deconstructed! Present crispy rice, sliced chicken, and ginger sauce on a platter, with steaming broth in a teapot for pouring at the table. Or, fill small cups for appetizer portions at a dinner party—because Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try always gets oohs and ahhs. For extra fun, arrange a “garnish bar” so everyone can customize their bowls.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover soup, chicken, and crispy rice separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This way, you can preserve the rice’s texture and keep the broth clear and deeply flavored for up to 3 days. Recombine just before serving for a bowl that tastes just-cooked.
Freezing
You can freeze the chicken and strained broth together for up to 2 months. Freeze the crispy rice flat in a zip-top bag, then re-crisp in a hot pan straight from the freezer, if needed. Store the scallion-ginger sauce and chili crisp in small containers to keep flavors fresh.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken and broth together over medium-low heat. Crisp the rice in a hot skillet until golden and re-assemble your bowl as if it were fresh. Avoid microwaving the rice if you can—it can lose its crunch. Drizzle on the sauces right before eating.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of poaching my own?
Absolutely! Pull apart some rotisserie chicken and blanche in simmering broth for a minute to warm through. While you’ll miss a bit of the poached texture, it’s a fantastic time-saver for Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try on extra-busy days.
What’s the best rice to use for the crispy base?
Long-grain or jasmine rice are classics—they crisp up easily and don’t get mushy. Leftover rice from the day before works wonders, but even freshly cooked rice (well-chilled) will do in a pinch.
Can I make this with boneless, skinless chicken?
Yes, although using skin-on chicken lends extra flavor to the broth and produces more fat for crisping the rice. If you only have skinless, add a splash more oil for the rice step and consider swirling in a touch of butter for richness.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It is naturally gluten-free if you double-check your chili crisp (some contain soy sauce). All other ingredients are gluten-free by default, making Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try a fantastic option for gluten-sensitive eaters.
Can I make this spicy without chili crisp?
Definitely—stir in fresh chili slices or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the broth or sauce, or even add a few drops of sesame chili oil. The base soup is mild, so it takes well to extra heat and flavor.
Final Thoughts
I hope you give Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try a spot on your weekly cozy dinner rotation! Every spoonful delivers that perfect balance of comfort and contrast. Let this soul-soother wow you—it’s the kind of meal you’ll look forward to, whether you’re healing a cold or simply craving something extraordinary.
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Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Cheats Chicken & Rice Soup is a delicious fusion dish that combines the flavors of Hainanese chicken rice with the comforting warmth of a traditional chicken soup. This recipe features crispy pan-fried rice, tender poached chicken, a flavorful scallion sauce, and a hint of heat from chili crisp.
Ingredients
Chicken & Rice:
- 450–500 g chicken breasts (skin-on preferred)
- 1 ½ cups cooked rice (long-grain, jasmine, or brown)
Scallion Sauce:
- 600 ml chicken broth
- 3 spring onions
- 2.5 cm knob fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 4 tablespoons neutral oil
- Chili crisp for serving
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Scallion Sauce: Grate ginger and thinly slice spring onions. Heat oil until smoking, pour over ginger and spring onions, season with salt, and set aside.
- Cook Chicken & Broth: Render chicken fat in a pan. In a pot, boil broth with spring onion and ginger trimmings. Poach chicken in the broth until cooked.
- Crisp Rice: Press cooked rice in the pan with fat, cook until golden and crisp.
- Assemble Soup: Slice chicken, strain broth, season to taste. Divide crispy rice into bowls, top with chicken, pour hot broth, and add scallion sauce and chili crisp.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Using skin-on chicken enhances flavor and provides more fat for crisping the rice.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free when using gluten-free chili crisp.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Poaching and pan crisping
- Cuisine: Fusion (Hainanese-inspired)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
