Steaming Chicken In A Rice Cooker: Easy, Quick, Delicious!

Steaming chicken in a rice cooker is an easy and convenient way to prepare a tasty, nutritious meal. This cooking method helps retain the natural flavours and nutrients of the meat, and can be used to cook chicken pieces or a whole chicken. By following some simple steps, you can achieve tender and juicy chicken, with a crispy skin if desired. This versatile dish can be served as a main or used in salads, sandwiches and more.

How to season chicken for steaming in a rice cooker

Seasoning chicken for steaming in a rice cooker is a simple process that allows you to be creative with flavours. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Choose Your Chicken

Select either chicken pieces or a whole chicken. If using pieces, bone-in chicken is recommended for better flavour.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Clean and prepare the chicken by removing any giblets and excess fat. If using a whole chicken, you may want to cut it into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Seasoning

This is where you can get creative! Choose your favourite spices and herbs to season the chicken. You can use a mix of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, or any other seasonings you prefer. For an authentic Chinese flavour, try a spicy bake mix consisting of ginger, onion, salt, and MSG powder. You can usually find this in Asian grocery stores or online.

Step 4: Massage the Seasonings

Generously apply the chosen seasonings to the chicken, massaging them into the meat to ensure even distribution. This step is important as the flavours will penetrate the meat during the steaming process.

Step 5: Optional Marinade

While not necessary, marinating the chicken before steaming can add extra flavour. Let the chicken sit in your chosen marinade for at least 30 minutes before steaming.

Step 6: Add Vegetables or Herbs (Optional)

You can also add sliced vegetables or whole herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or ginger to the steaming basket or tray along with the chicken for additional flavour and nutrition.

Tips:

• Be generous with the seasoning as the flavours will infuse the meat during steaming.
• Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking to let the juices redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavourful meat.
• If you prefer crispy skin, transfer the steamed chicken to an oven and broil for a few minutes until the skin turns golden brown and crispy.

Remember to always consult your rice cooker's user manual for specific instructions and guidance on steaming chicken.

How to prepare the rice cooker for steaming chicken

To prepare your rice cooker for steaming chicken, start by cleaning and preparing the chicken. If you're using chicken pieces, consider keeping them bone-in for better flavour. If you're using a whole chicken, remove the giblets and excess fat.

Next, season the chicken generously with your chosen herbs and spices. You can use a mix of garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, or any other seasonings you prefer. Massage the seasonings into the chicken to ensure even distribution. If you have time, you can also marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to overnight for more intense flavour.

Now, it's time to prepare the rice cooker. Place the seasoned chicken into the rice cooker basket or directly into the cooker pot. If your rice cooker has a steaming compartment, you can use that. If not, you can place the chicken on a rack or a small plate raised above the water.

Add water to the rice cooker to create steam. The amount of water will depend on the size and capacity of your cooker. A general guideline is 1 cup of water per 2 pounds of chicken. You can also add seasonings like salt, garlic, or other flavourings to the water to infuse extra taste.

Close the lid of the rice cooker and set it to the steam or cook function. The cooking time will vary based on the size and type of chicken pieces. For chicken pieces, steam for about 20-30 minutes, and for a whole chicken, cook for approximately 60-90 minutes.

Always ensure that the chicken is thoroughly cooked by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.

How to steam chicken in a rice cooker with vegetables

Steaming chicken in a rice cooker is a convenient and nutritious way to cook. This method helps retain the natural flavours and nutrients of the meat. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam chicken in a rice cooker with vegetables:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by cleaning and preparing the chicken. If you are using chicken pieces, it is recommended to use bone-in meat for better flavour. If you are using a whole chicken, remove the giblets and excess fat.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Now, season the chicken with your choice of spices and herbs. You can use garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, or any other seasonings you prefer. Be generous with the seasoning as the flavours will penetrate the meat during steaming. Massage the seasonings into the chicken to ensure even distribution. You can also marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before steaming for extra flavour.

Step 3: Prepare the Rice Cooker

Place the seasoned chicken into the rice cooker basket or directly into the cooker pot. If you are cooking rice along with the chicken, follow the instructions provided by your rice cooker for the appropriate water ratio. If you are steaming only chicken and vegetables, add enough water to create steam. A general guideline is 1 cup of water per 2 pounds of chicken.

Step 4: Add Vegetables

Choose non-leafy green vegetables such as green beans, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced carrots, or broccoli florets. Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and set them aside until the rice is almost done.

Step 5: Steam the Chicken and Vegetables

Close the lid of the rice cooker and set it to the steam or cook function. The cooking time will vary based on the size of the chicken pieces or whether you are cooking a whole chicken. For chicken pieces, steam for about 20-30 minutes, and for a whole chicken, cook for approximately 60-90 minutes. If you are steaming rice as well, add the vegetables when the rice is almost done, leaving about 10 minutes of cooking time remaining.

Step 6: Check Doneness

Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the chicken from the rice cooker. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for chicken breasts or 175°F (79°C) for chicken thighs and drumsticks. If you do not have a meat thermometer, check that the chicken is white and opaque throughout, with no pink or raw parts.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavourful meat. You can also crisp up the skin by transferring the steamed chicken to a baking sheet and broiling it in the oven until the skin turns golden brown and crispy. Serve the chicken and vegetables with your choice of sides and enjoy!

How to check if steamed chicken is cooked

There are several ways to check if your steamed chicken is cooked. The best way is to use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C). If you don't have a thermometer, there are other ways to check:

• Poke the chicken with your finger to see if it feels firm. Raw chicken feels rubbery or wobbly, while cooked chicken is firmer and springs back from your touch.
• Look for clear or white juices running from the chicken. Raw chicken will have pink juices, so check the drippings in the pan or make a small incision in the thickest part of the meat and see what colour the juices are.
• Check if the chicken has shrunk in size. Uncooked chicken holds a lot of moisture, which evaporates during cooking, so the meat will be about 25% smaller when it's fully cooked.
• Make a cut in the thickest part of the chicken and check the colour of the meat. It should be white or very light pink with no shiny pink spots.

How to steam chicken in a rice cooker with rice

Steaming chicken in a rice cooker is a convenient and nutritious way to prepare this versatile protein. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam chicken in a rice cooker with rice:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by cleaning and preparing the chicken. If using chicken pieces, bone-in chicken is recommended for better flavour. If using a whole chicken, remove any giblets and excess fat. You can also cut the chicken into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

This is your chance to get creative with flavours! Season the chicken generously with your favourite spices, herbs, and marinades. You can use a mix of garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, or any other seasonings you prefer. Massage the seasonings into the chicken to ensure even distribution. You can also add vegetables or herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or ginger, to infuse additional flavours.

Step 3: Prepare the Rice Cooker

Place the seasoned chicken directly into the rice cooker pot or basket. If cooking rice along with the chicken, rinse the desired amount of rice until the water runs clear, and add it to the rice cooker. You can also add sliced Chinese sausage to the rice for a sweet and savoury taste. Then, add enough water to the rice cooker to create steam. The amount of water will depend on the size and capacity of your cooker. As a general rule, use 1 cup of water per 2 pounds of chicken.

Step 4: Steam the Chicken

Close the lid of the rice cooker and set it to the steam or cook function. The cooking time will vary based on the size and type of chicken. For chicken pieces, steam for about 20-30 minutes, and for a whole chicken, cook for approximately 60-90 minutes. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the rice cooker and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavourful meat. If you prefer crispy skin, transfer the steamed chicken to a baking sheet and broil it in the oven until the skin turns golden brown and crispy.

Steaming chicken in a rice cooker is a simple and efficient way to prepare a nutritious and tasty meal. By following these steps, you can create tender and flavourful chicken that can be enjoyed on its own or incorporated into various dishes like salads, sandwiches, or stir-fries.

Frequently asked questions