Chicken Long Rice Recipe: Absolute Best Noodles

October 14, 2024

Chicken Long Rice Recipe is a beloved Hawaiian comfort dish that combines tender chicken, savory broth, and delicate noodles, creating a light and satisfying meal. Although it originated as a Chinese dish, Hawaiians embraced and adapted it, becoming a staple at luaus, family gatherings, and restaurants throughout the islands. The dish’s appeal lies in its simplicity, yet its flavors are anything but essential—making it a choice for informal gatherings and important events.

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What is Chicken Long Rice?

Chicken Long Rice recipe is a delightful combination of savory broth, tender chicken, and long rice noodles (cellophane or bean thread noodles). Infused with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce, the broth delivers a balanced mix of warmth and umami, reminiscent of Asian soups like Pho. It’s traditionally served as a side dish or a light meal, often prepared for large gatherings due to its easy preparation and ability to feed a crowd. While its roots trace back to Chinese cuisine, Chicken Long Rice has since evolved into a Hawaiian favorite, frequently served at luaus or traditional feasts.

Ingredients in Chicken Long Rice Recipe

Despite its island origins, all the ingredients for Chicken Long Rice Recipe are widely available on the mainland. Here’s what you’ll need to make the classic version:

Chicken broth: Homemade stock or low-sodium chicken broth is ideal.
Soy sauce: About three tablespoons to season the broth.
Garlic: Three cloves, minced.
Ginger: Two tablespoons of fresh ginger root, peeled and grated.
Sugar: A teaspoon of sugar balances the salty and savory flavors.
Chicken thighs: Boneless thighs work best. For convenience, you can cook and shred the chicken or use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
Bean thread noodles: Known by another name, cellophane noodles, these translucent noodles are critical to the dish.
Green onion: A bunch, thinly sliced for garnish.

How to Make Chicken Long Rice Recipe

Prepare the broth: Simmer the chicken broth in a large pot. Add the soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sugar, stirring to combine. Let the broth simmer for 10-15 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Cook the chicken: Add the boneless chicken thighs to the pot and cook until tender. Once done, remove the chicken and shred it into bite-sized pieces.
Soak the noodles: While the chicken cooks, For about ten minutes, soak the bean thread noodles in warm water until they become soft. Drain and set aside.
Combine and serve: Add the shredded chicken and soaked noodles back into the broth, stirring to combine. Let the dish simmer for a few more minutes to allow the noodles to absorb the broth’s flavors. Before serving, garnish with sliced green onions.

Elevating Your Chicken Long Rice Recipe: Optional Ingredients

While the traditional recipe calls for essential ingredients, you can customize your Chicken Long Rice Recipe to suit your tastes. Here are some suggestions for enhancing nutrition, flavor, and texture:

Vegetables: Carrots, bok choy, or spinach can enhance the dish’s nutritional value and add vibrant color.
Mushrooms: Sliced shiitake or cremini mushrooms can give the broth a deeper umami flavor.
Onions: Sweet onions can be added for extra depth and richness.
Shredded coconut: Incorporating coconut provides the dish with a tropical flair.
Chili peppers: Toss in Thai chilies or jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Lemongrass: Add stalks of lemongrass for a fragrant citrus note.
Fish sauce: A dash of fish sauce can enhance the umami profile.
Coconut milk: Swap some broth for coconut milk to create a creamier version.
Tofu or shrimp: Add tofu cubes or cooked shrimp to add protein.
Cilantro: Add some fresh cilantro as a garnish for a punch of herb freshness.

How Many Types of Chicken Long Rice Recipes Are There?

Chicken Long Rice is highly versatile, and variations abound depending on the chef’s preferences and the occasion. Below are several types of Chicken Long Rice recipes you might encounter:

Traditional Hawaiian Chicken Long Rice: The classic recipe with minimal ingredients—just chicken, noodles, and a flavorful broth infused with ginger and garlic.
Vegetable Chicken Long Rice: A more health-conscious variation with added vegetables like carrots, bok choy, or bell peppers.
Creamy Chicken Long Rice: A version that incorporates coconut milk for a creamier, more indulgent broth.
Spicy Chicken Long Rice: For heat lovers, a spicy variation with added chili peppers or a dash of hot sauce.
Seafood Long Rice: This fusion recipe replaces or complements the chicken with seafood such as shrimp or crab.
Vegan Long Rice: A meat-free alternative using tofu, plant-based meat substitutes, and vegetable broth instead of chicken stock.
Fusion Long Rice: Recipes that mix ingredients and flavors from other cuisines, like adding a Japanese touch with miso paste.

More Hawaiian Recipes to Try

Hawaiian cuisine is known for its unique blend of flavors from different cultures, resulting in delicious dishes that are both savory and sweet. Here are some classic Hawaiian recipes that you can try:

Huli Huli Chicken: Marinating grilled chicken in a unique sauce consisting of soy sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar with a tangy and sweet taste.
Hawaiian Mac Salad: A creamy, tangy macaroni salad, often served as a side dish at Hawaiian plate lunches. It pairs perfectly with grilled meats like teriyaki chicken or Kalua pork.
Loco Moco: A hearty Hawaiian meal that consists of a brown gravy-topped hamburger patty served over rice covered with a fried egg.
Hawaiian Beef Teriyaki: Thinly sliced beef marinated in a savory and sweet teriyaki sauce, then grilled or stir-fried to perfection.
Guava Cake: A light, tropical-flavored cake made with guava juice, often topped with a sweet glaze or whipped cream.
Hawaiian Grilled Teriyaki Chicken: Marinated in a sweet sauce and grilled until caramelized and juicy. This dish is a crowd-pleaser at any barbecue.
Kalua Pork: Traditionally cooked in an underground oven, Kalua pork is tender, smoky, and flavorful. It’s often served at luaus with rice and cabbage.
Haupia: A creamy coconut pudding that is firm enough to slice, typically served as a dessert at Hawaiian parties and luaus.

How to Make Chicken Long Rice Recipe

If you’re ready to make the famous Chicken Long Rice recipe, follow this simple step-by-step recipe. It’s an easy dish and a great introduction to Hawaiian cuisine.

Ingredients:

4 cups chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium)
Three tablespoons soy sauce
Three garlic cloves, minced
Two tablespoons fresh ginger root, peeled and grated
One teaspoon sugar
1 pound boneless chicken thighs, cooked and shredded
8 ounces bean thread (cellophane) noodles
One bunch of green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions:

Prepare the Broth
Combine the chicken broth, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sugar in a large pot. To let the flavors mingle, bring the mixture over medium heat, deliver to a boil, and cook for ten to fifteen minutes.
Cook the Chicken
Add the boneless chicken thighs to the broth and cook for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. Once cooked, please remove the chicken from the broth and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Set the chicken aside.
Soak the Noodles
While the chic en is cooking, soak the bean thread noodles in warm water for about 10 minutes until they soften. Drain and set them aside.
Combine the Ingredients
Add the shredded chicken and soaked noodles to the broth pot. Simmer everything together for 5-10 minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb the broth’s flavor.
Garnish and Serve
Garnish the Chicken Long Rice Recipe with freshly sliced green onions. Serve it hot as a side dish or a light, flavorful meal