When it comes to cooking chicken, there are a few different methods you can use, but, in my opinion, one of the simplest and most flexible methods is steaming chicken in a rice cooker. This method is not only incredibly easy, but it’s also a great way to ensure food safety and get perfectly cooked chicken every time.
In this article, I will explain what safety steps you need to take to avoid food poisoning, show you how to check that the chicken is properly cooked, and give you a few recipes using steamed chicken that can be cooked in your rice cooker.
Finally, I’m going to recommend what I think are the best rice cookers on the market for steaming chicken.
Safety First
No one wants food poisoning, so when cooking chicken, the first thing you want to do is ensure that it’s cooked properly.
If you don’t then you could be at risk from Salmonella or Campylobacter bacteria.
These bacteria can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and are particularly dangerous for babies and young children because their immune systems are not as developed as an adult’s system. Luckily, there are some simple checks you can make to ensure your chicken is safe to eat.
The best way to make sure your chicken is safe to eat is by checking the temperature regularly. To check if your chicken has been cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer and poke it into the thickest part of your breast or thigh (don’t touch the bone). When the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it is properly cooked. You should also check that the chicken is no longer pink inside and that the juices run clear.
It’s very important to wash your hands thoroughly before and after cooking, especially when handling raw chicken. Similarly, make sure that your rice cooker is clean and free of any bacteria before using it. Wipe down the inside of the rice cooker with a disinfectant wipe to kill any bacteria.
Do not overcrowd the chicken in the rice cooker. This will ensure that it cooks evenly and does not get wet and soggy. If you have too many pieces of chicken, they will not cook properly.
Lastly, take care when removing the chicken from the rice cooker after cooking to ensure that it doesn’t fall apart or break into smaller pieces. This can be done by using tongs or a fork to carefully lift out each piece one at a time
Top Tip: Let the chicken cool down before eating it. Allow the chicken to sit for at least five minutes before serving it – it will not only cut easier and taste better, but this step will also help ensure that you don’t get food poisoning.
Now that we have gone over some safety tips, let’s take a look at how to cook the chicken in a rice cooker.
The Method
Luckily, steaming chicken in a rice cooker is very simple. All you need is a rice cooker, some chicken breasts or thighs, and a little water.
The first step is to place the chicken into the bottom of the rice cooker.
If your rice cooker has a steamer basket, then you can place the chicken directly into the basket. However, if your rice cooker doesn’t have a steamer basket then simply place the chicken in the bottom of the rice cooker although I wouldn’t recommend doing this if you are cooking chicken on the bone or with skin as these kinds of meat will tend to stick and cause a lot of mess.
Pour water into the rice cooker, filling it up to the halfway point.
Put the lid on the rice cooker and turn it on.
Set the timer for 20 minutes.
When the timer goes off, use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken. As mentioned above, the chicken is properly cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the chicken cool down before eating it. Allow the chicken to sit for at least five minutes before serving.
Now that we have gone over how to steam your chicken in a rice cooker, let’s take a look at some recipes that you can make with it.
Steamed Chicken With Veggies
- Chicken Breasts (About four)
- Broccoli Florets (One large head, about six cups)
- Carrots (One large carrot, washed and cut into quarters or slices about three inches long and one inch wide.
- Onion (One small onion, peeled and sliced in half rings.)
- Garlic Cloves (Two cloves)
- -Olive Oil (About three tablespoons)
Instructions:
Heat your rice cooker and spray the pot with nonstick cooking oil or olive oil (for a better taste). Then layer carrots, broccoli, onion slices, and garlic in the pot and stir the veggies until lightly coated with the oil. At this stage, I also like to add some seasoning.
Next, place the raw chicken breasts on top of the veggies and pour about one cup of water into the pot. Cook until chicken is done and veggies are tender. Check for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of each breast!
Finally, remove from heat and let sit for about five minutes before serving.
Asian Glazed Chicken
This recipe is quick and easy to make and tastes delicious. The chicken is cooked in a sweet and sticky glaze that is made from soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and garlic. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- Two pounds of boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces. (I like to use skinless, bone-in because it has more flavor.) If using frozen meat, then thaw before cooking! You can also substitute pork for the chicken if desired!
- Soy sauce
- One cup honey
- Half cup rice vinegar (or rice wine)
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- Three garlic cloves minced.
Instructions:
Heat your rice cooker and spray the pot with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. Then place chicken in the bottom of the rice cooker along with all other ingredients except for honey! Let cook until done about 15 minutes on a high setting. If using frozen meat then thaw before cooking.
After the chicken is cooked through, add honey to the pot and stir everything around until coated. Turn off the heat and let sit for a few minutes so the sauce can thicken before serving!
Chicken Teriyaki
This recipe is made with an easy teriyaki sauce that you will love. The chicken is cooked in a teriyaki sauce that is made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, ginger, and garlic and comes out so tender and flavorful. It also takes only about 30 minutes to make which makes for a quick meal!
Ingredients:
- Two pounds of boneless chicken thighs or breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- One cup of honey
- Half cups soy sauce (or tamari)
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- Three garlic cloves minced.
Instructions:
Heat your rice cooker and spray the pot with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. Then place chicken in the bottom of the rice cooker along with all other ingredients except for honey! Let cook until done about 15 minutes on a high setting. If using frozen meat then thaw before cooking.
Chicken Fajitas
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Here’s the full recipe :
Ingredients:
- One pound of boneless chicken breast, cut into thin strips.
- One red pepper, stem removed, and thinly sliced.
- One green pepper, stem removed, and thinly sliced.
- One small white onion, peeled and diced.
- Two tablespoons of olive oil or cooking spray.
- One teaspoon of chili powder,
- Half teaspoon cumin powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
Place chicken strips, peppers, and onions in the rice cooker. Add olive oil, chili powder, cumin powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook on high for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Remove from heat and serve with tortillas or rice.
Best Rice Cooker For Steaming Chicken
Now that I have whetted your appetite and shown you a couple of recipes that you can make with your rice cooker, let’s take a look at the best rice cookers for steaming chicken.
Tiger JNP-S55U Rice Cooker:
This is an excellent choice if you want to steam your chicken in a rice cooker. It has five built-in cooking programs, including one for steaming chicken. The rice cooker has a quirky but not unattractive flower design and comes with a steaming tray, which makes it easy to add vegetables or any other ingredients that you want to steam along with your chicken.
It also has an automatic keep-warm function, so if your meal finishes cooking before anyone arrives home, then this is the perfect machine for keeping food at just the right temperature!
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Cuisinart CRC-800P1 8-Cup Rice Cooker:
This is another good choice if you want to steam your chicken in a rice cooker. It has four cooking programs, including steaming and browning functions which make it easy to prepare delicious meals with no effort at all! Cuisinart’s stainless steel exterior will look good in any kitchen and its non-stick interior ensures that food does not stick to the pot’s surface when cooking.
The rice cooker comes with a steam tray, which makes it easy to add vegetables or any other ingredients you want to be steamed along with your chicken. It also has an automatic keep-warm function and comes with a handy glass lid, a paddle, and a measuring cup. If you are looking for a rice cooker that cooks as well as it looks, then this is the one for you.
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Hamilton Beach 37548 Rice Cooker:
The Hamilton Beach 37549 Rice Cooker has a stainless steel exterior, which looks good in any kitchen, and it comes with a measuring cup and rice paddle. It is also dishwasher safe, making it easy to keep your rice cooker clean!
With a large 7 cup capacity, it can handle enough rice in one sitting for even the biggest families and with its 2-In-1 rice rinser/steam basket it’s perfect for steaming chicken, vegetables, or even puddings.
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Conclusion:
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about steaming chicken in a rice cooker. Whether you are looking for safety tips, instructions on how to cook the chicken, or recipes to try, we have you covered. So, what are you waiting for? Get out your rice cooker and start cooking some delicious steamed chicken today!
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