Ingredients
Method
Marinating the Roasted Chicken
- Begin by rubbing the chicken thighs with coarse salt to exfoliate the skin, then rinse thoroughly. This step ensures smooth and glossy skin after cooking.
- In a bowl, combine honey, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, grated ginger, grated garlic, five-spice powder (if using), black pepper, and salt to form a marinade. Coat the chicken thoroughly with this mixture, ensuring an even application. Place the chicken skin-side up in a dish and marinate uncovered in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the skin to dry out, which helps achieve a crisp finish.
- Before cooking, you can blot the skin with paper towels to remove excess moisture. For enhanced flavor, season lightly with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Method #1: Oven Roasted
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Arrange the marinated chicken flat on a baking tray and roast for 25 minutes, adjusting the time based on the size of the chicken pieces. For bone-in chicken, extend the cooking time by 5-10 minutes. During the final 10 minutes of cooking, you can set the oven to 'Broil' and increase the temperature to 220°C (420°F) for a golden, caramelized finish.
- Once cooked through, remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Method #2: Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for 5 minutes. Place the chicken skin-side up in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until done. For bone-in chicken thighs, extend the cooking time by 5 minutes.
- After cooking, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain its juices.
Chicken Rice
- Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Add the rice, chicken stock, melted butter, sesame oil, light soy sauce, grated ginger, and grated garlic to the pot of a rice cooker. Stir to combine, ensuring the ingredients are evenly distributed. Adjust the stock quantity based on your rice cooker's guidelines and cook on the regular setting.
- To serve, plate the fragrant rice and top with slices of honey-roasted chicken. Garnish with cucumber slices and fresh cilantro. Pair with chicken rice chili sauce, chicken soup, ginger garlic sauce, and a drizzle of kicap manis for a complete and flavorful meal.
