Did you know you can cook rice in the microwave — and cook chicken at the same time?
As someone who grew up eating rice as a daily staple, I’m always exploring different ways to cook it. Sometimes I need a small portion, sometimes a bigger batch. Sometimes I want a firmer texture, and other times I just need something quick and easy. Learning different rice cooking methods has always been a little mission of mine.
I had heard that cooking rice in the microwave works well, but I had never seriously tried it. This time, using the Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine™ Microwave Rice Cooker, I finally tested it properly — and I was genuinely impressed with how simple and reliable it was.
*This recipe is created in collaboration with Joseph Joseph as part of a partnership Reel on Instagram.
Instead of just cooking plain rice, I decided to take it a step further. I added marinated chicken on top to recreate a comforting chicken rice dish, finished with a fragrant spring onion ginger sauce. The result is an easy one-pot microwave chicken rice that feels homemade and satisfying — perfect for a quick meal.
Why You’ll Love This Microwave Chicken Rice
- Quick and easy
- Minimal cleanup
- Great for small portions
- Foolproof method using a microwave rice cooker
- Comforting flavours with very little effort
Tips for Cooking Rice in the Microwave
After testing this method, here are a few important tips:
- Soak the Rice : Soaking the jasmine rice for at least 30 minutes helps it cook more evenly and improves texture.
- Cut the Chicken Smaller : Dice the chicken into small, even pieces so it cooks through properly in the microwave.
- Don’t Skip the Resting Time : After microwaving, let the rice sit covered for 8–10 minutes. This allows the steam to finish cooking the rice and keeps the chicken tender.
Final Thoughts
Cooking rice in the microwave might sound unconventional, but it’s surprisingly effective — especially when using a dedicated microwave rice cooker. This method is convenient, reliable, and perfect for small households or busy days. If you’re looking for an easy chicken rice recipe that doesn’t require a stovetop or rice cooker, this microwave version is worth trying.
Microwave Chicken Rice with Spring Onion Ginger Sauce
Equipment
- Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine™ Microwave Rice Cooker
Ingredients
For the Rice and Chicken
- 2/3 cup jasmine rice
- 300 ml water
- 150 g chicken thigh or breast, diced into small pieces about 2–2.5 cm, around 1 cm thick
- 1 tsp cooking wine
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp cornflour
Spring Onion Ginger Sauce
- 25 g finely chopped spring onion
- 15 g finely chopped ginger
- 40 ml high smoke point vegetable oil
- ½ tsp salt adjust to taste
- A pinch of white pepper
- 1 tsp sesameoil
Instructions
- Rinse the jasmine rice in the colander. Place the colander into the cooking pot and add the required amount of water (see guidelines overleaf). Soak for 30 minutes.
- Marinate the diced chicken with cooking wine, soy sauce, white pepper and cornflour. Set aside.
- Combine the spring onion and ginger in a heatproof bowl. Heat the oil until shimmering, then carefully pour it over the mixture in 2–3 batches to release the fragrance. Add salt, white pepper and sesame oil. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- To cook the rice, place the lid on the pot and lock it using the rice paddle (do not cover the steam holes). Microwave on high for 8 minutes.
- Carefully open the lid and spread the marinated chicken evenly over the rice in a single layer. Cover again and microwave for another 5 minutes. Let stand (covered) for 8–10 minutes.
- Once the resting time is complete, spoon the spring onion and ginger sauce over the rice. Gently mix and serve.
Notes
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