Wenchang chicken

en.hainan.gov.cn

Updated: 2025-06-19

Wenchang chicken. [Photo/hainan.gov.cn]

Wenchang chicken takes its name from its origin — Wenchang, a county-level city in Hainan province. All over Hainan, when people host a party, they usually serve guests a dish of tasty Wenchang chicken. There’s a saying on Hainan Island that "No feast is complete without Wenchang chicken."

Legend goes that in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), an official from Wenchang brought several chickens from his hometown and presented them to the emperor as a gift. After eating the chickens, the emperor was greatly pleased and named the dish Wenchang chicken. Since then, this dish has been famous far and wide.

What makes Wenchang chicken so delicious? They are raised in the tropical environment of Hainan and range freely under the rubber trees and banyans along the coast, foraging among abundant food sources like banyan seeds and worms. The nutritious food, glorious sunshine and favorable climate all contribute to the fine taste of Wenchang chicken. They are small fowl, but very fleshy with thin skin.

The traditional way to cook Wenchang chicken in Hainan is baizhan (or baiqie). [Photo/VCG]

The traditional way to cook Wenchang chicken in Hainan is baizhan (or baiqie), which means chopped plain boiled chicken. The preparation involves boiling the chicken in water, cutting it up, and then serving it with Hainan-style seasoning. The seasoning is the critical part of this dish. The authentic mix contains ginger, mashed garlic, soy sauce, salt and fresh orange juice. It may sound simple, but achieving the perfect balance of flavor is challenging, as it depends on the precise proportions of ingredients, timing, heating intensity, and other aspects of preparation.

To stew Wenchang chicken with coconut is also a good way. [Photo/VCG]

Another method is to stew it with coconut. Locals often prepare a broth with coconut water and flesh. People also stew their native chicken with Chinese wolfberry, Chinese yam, date, and pork, and use coconut shell as a soup bowl. The dish naturally absorbs the coconut flavor, whose pure taste is unforgettable.

Enjoy Wenchang chicken with a bowl of Hainan chicken rice. [Photo/VCG]

If you try Wenchang chicken in Hainan, order a bowl of Hainan chicken rice to go with it. Locals steam long-grained non-glutinous rice with salt, chicken soup and chicken fat, which makes the rice glazed and especially tasty. Its unique flavor, derived from these natural ingredients, cannot be replicated with artificial enhancers.

During the immigration wave that took place in the early 20th century, Hainan-born Chinese spread Hainan chicken rice (often served with Wenchang chicken) all over Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. The dish was then integrated into local cuisines and food culture. Today, Hainan chicken rice remains a beloved and widely prepared dish throughout the region.

en.hnftp.gov.cn contributed to the story.