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Chickens fed with peanuts and coconut: The extra-flavourful secret behind your next plate of chicken rice
The free-range birds in Hainan’s Wenchang county are raised under a meticulous farming process, which includes a healthy diet and lots of space to roam around
Wenchang chicken is prized for its tender meat and non-greasy fat.
PHOTO: PUBLICITY DEPARTMENT OF THE CPC WENCHANG MUNICIPAL COMMITTEE
From Hong Kong actor Louis Koo to the late gourmand Anthony Bourdain, Singapore’s iconic chicken rice has charmed celebrities and ordinary folk across the globe.
A deceptively simple dish of gently poached chicken on a fluffy bed of aromatic rice, Hainanese chicken rice relies heavily on the skill of the chef but also the quality of the chicken.
In Hainan, where the dish originated, the key to their fragrant chicken rice lay in Wenchang chickens. Known as the birthplace of chicken rice, Wenchang is a coastal city in Hainan, and renowned for its Wenchang chicken dish, which tops the list of Hainan’s “Four Famous Dishes”.
Hainanese chicken rice made with Wenchang chicken.
PHOTO: WANG YEYING
According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Hainan Province, the process of raising Wenchang chickens is meticulous. It begins with a careful selection of purebred chickens that are small in size and resilient to rough feed. These free-range chickens are raised in coconut groves and fields, where their foraging and constant movement contribute to firm and lean meat.
After 120 days, farmers feed the chickens a natural diet of smashed peanuts, shredded coconut, sweet potatoes and rice. This nutritious regimen results in tender meat, thin and crispy skin, fragrant bones, as well as fat that is delicate and non-greasy, giving Hainanese chicken rice its unique aroma and taste.
Beyond chicken rice
In 2022, in an effort to develop high-efficiency agriculture with its tropical climate, the province launched “Hainan Fresh Products,” a public brand for agricultural products from the whole region. As an essential product in this campaign, Wenchang chicken has become a signature of Hainan agriculture.
In recent years, the appeal of Wenchang chicken has inspired the creation of new dishes, the most popular of which is the “coconut chicken soup hot pot”. This dish has quickly gained popularity among diners of all ages and has spread from Hainan to major cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou, eventually gaining popularity throughout China.
These days, many tourists visiting Hainan not only savour the classic Hainanese chicken rice, but also add coconut chicken soup hot pot to their must-try list.
Dishes like coconut chicken hot pot have grown in popularity in China.
PHOTO: CHENG WENQING
According to the provincial government, Hainan produced 110 million Wenchang chickens in 2023, with an average of 300,000 sold per day, generating an annual output value of approximately 11.5 billion yuan (S$2.14 billion).
Hainan’s companies producing Wenchang chicken that have received “Hainan Fresh Produce” certification are also able to export their products to countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.
Whether it’s Singapore’s fragrant Hainanese chicken rice or other unique adaptations in the region, the essence of this dish remains rooted in its original flavors, inspired by the famous Wenchang chicken dish. A signature on dining tables of Chinese families everywhere, it has become a symbol of culinary and cultural exchange, fostering emotional connections across borders.
As a product of “Hainan Fresh Produce,” Wenchang chicken is set to continue its journey through global kitchens, bringing the authentic taste of Hainan to the world.
