Dish guides · Singaporean

Is hainanese chicken rice healthy?

Hainanese chicken rice costs about $2.77 a serving to make at home at typical US grocery prices. Going by its main ingredients, it's a good fit for steadier blood sugar, weight loss and more protein.

By health goal

Lower LDL cholesterol
Neutral
It's neutral for lower LDL cholesterol: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.
Steadier blood sugar
Good fit
For steadier blood sugar, cucumber in hainanese chicken rice helps, and nothing in it works against that goal.
Lower blood pressure
Watch the sauce
Nothing in the main ingredients works against lower blood pressure. Most of the salt in dishes like this comes from the sauce, so go light on soy sauce or use a low-sodium one.
Weight loss
Good fit
For weight loss, cucumber in hainanese chicken rice helps, and nothing in it works against that goal.
More protein
Good fit
For more protein, chicken thigh in hainanese chicken rice helps, and nothing in it works against that goal.

For LDL cholesterol, with sources

1 of 5
LDL habits in this dish
Soluble fiber (oats, barley, beans, eggplant, okra, fruit)
Fish, ideally oily (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
Soy or beans in place of some meat
Nuts, seeds, olive oil or avocado
✓
Little fatty meat, cream, butter or cheese
Nothing here moves LDL much either way. Add the main ingredients, like “salmon, rice, spinach”.

What goes in (per portion)

chicken thigh
½ lb
ginger
¼ knob
garlic
¼ head
green onion
¼ bunch
cucumber
½
rice mix
¼ cup

Questions

Is hainanese chicken rice healthy?

Hainanese chicken rice costs about $2.77 a serving to make at home at typical US grocery prices. Going by its main ingredients, it's a good fit for steadier blood sugar, weight loss and more protein.

Is hainanese chicken rice good for high cholesterol?

It's neutral for lower LDL cholesterol: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.

Is hainanese chicken rice OK for blood sugar or diabetes?

Yes, going by its main ingredients. For steadier blood sugar, cucumber in hainanese chicken rice helps, and nothing in it works against that goal.

Is hainanese chicken rice OK for high blood pressure?

Mostly, depending on the sauce. Nothing in the main ingredients works against lower blood pressure. Most of the salt in dishes like this comes from the sauce, so go light on soy sauce or use a low-sodium one.

Is hainanese chicken rice good for weight loss?

Yes, going by its main ingredients. For weight loss, cucumber in hainanese chicken rice helps, and nothing in it works against that goal.

Is hainanese chicken rice high in protein?

Yes, going by its main ingredients. For more protein, chicken thigh in hainanese chicken rice helps, and nothing in it works against that goal.

How much does hainanese chicken rice cost to make at home?

About $2.77 a serving, or $11.09 for four servings, at typical US grocery prices, with pantry staples like soy sauce and oil counted at $0.40 a serving.

How can I make hainanese chicken rice healthier?

It's already in good shape. Serve it with a vegetable side, like spinach or broccoli, and brown rice if you want more fiber.

Plan a week of dishes like this

Eat Healthy AF plans your week of Asian home cooking around your health goal, with one shopping list and the cost of each meal. Free for 7 days, no card needed.
General nutrition information, not medical advice, based on each dish's main ingredients as we cook it; sauces and salt vary by recipe. Prices are typical US grocery prices and vary by store.
Eat Healthy AF (AF as in Asian Food) is general nutrition information, not medical advice. It doesn't diagnose or treat anything. Keep your doctor in the loop, and don't change any medication without them.