Best Rice Cooker Congee

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Here’s my tried-and-true rice cooker congee recipe, featuring tender rice that’s slowly cooked until creamy, with simple seasonings that make it perfect for any toppings you’d like to add.

This congee has become my go-to comfort food on chilly mornings or when someone in the house is feeling under the weather. I always make a big batch because it reheats so well, and everyone seems to want seconds. Nothing better than a warm bowl of congee to start your day, right?

What Kind of Rice Should I Use?

For congee, you’ve got options when it comes to rice selection – both short and long grain white rice work well, though many cooks prefer short grain for its starchier nature which creates a silkier texture. Japanese-style short grain or jasmine rice are popular choices, and you really can’t go wrong with either one. If you’re using a rice cooker, there’s no need to rinse the rice beforehand since those extra starches will help create that classic, creamy congee consistency. Just keep in mind that different types of rice may need slightly different amounts of liquid, so you might want to adjust the water level after your first try to get your preferred thickness.

Options for Substitutions

One of the great things about congee is how adaptable it is. Here are some helpful substitutions you can try:

• Rice: While both short and long grain rice work well, jasmine rice is another good option. Brown rice can work too, but you’ll need to add an extra cup of liquid and increase cooking time by 15-20 minutes.
• Chicken broth: Vegetable or mushroom broth work great for a vegetarian version. You can also use water with bouillon cubes, or even dashi for a Japanese twist.
• Chicken: Feel free to swap the chicken with pork, shrimp, fish, or tofu. For a vegetarian option, mushrooms make a tasty replacement.
• Crispy fried shallots: Can’t find fried shallots? Try crispy fried onions, crushed peanuts, or even bacon bits for that crunchy topping.
• Chinese donut: If you can’t find Chinese donuts (youtiao), try wonton strips, crackers, or even toasted bread cut into strips.
• Sambal Oelek: Other chili sauces like sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or even a dash of your favorite hot sauce will work just fine.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making rice cooker congee is using the wrong rice-to-liquid ratio – too little liquid will result in thick, gluey porridge while too much will make it watery, so stick to the 1:16 ratio (1 part rice to 16 parts liquid) for the perfect consistency.

Another common error is stirring the congee too frequently during cooking, which can break down the rice too much and create an unpleasantly mushy texture – instead, let your rice cooker do its job and only stir occasionally if needed.

Temperature control matters more than you might think – using the “porridge” setting on your rice cooker (if available) or the regular rice setting with an extra 30 minutes will give you better results than cooking on high heat, which can cause the bottom to stick and burn.

For the most flavorful congee, don’t skip adding your aromatics (ginger and garlic) at the beginning of cooking, and remember to season gradually – you can always add more salt later, but you can’t take it out once it’s in there.

What to Serve With Congee?

Congee is all about the toppings and side dishes that make it your own! While this rice porridge is comforting on its own, try setting up a little buffet of extras like soft-boiled eggs, chopped peanuts, or extra shredded chicken for everyone to customize their bowl. A side of Chinese greens like bok choy or gai lan steamed with a bit of oyster sauce makes for a perfect veggie addition. For a complete breakfast or lunch spread, serve some dim sum favorites like siu mai or spring rolls alongside your congee – it’s how many people enjoy it at traditional dim sum restaurants. And don’t forget the hot tea, which pairs perfectly with this cozy meal!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Your homemade congee will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days when kept in an airtight container. The rice will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so you might notice it getting thicker over time – that’s totally normal!

Save Toppings: Store your toppings separately from the congee. Keep the green onions, fried shallots, and Chinese donuts in their own containers to maintain their texture. Nobody likes soggy toppings!

Warm Up: When you’re ready to eat your leftover congee, heat it up in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth if it’s too thick – just keep stirring until you get the consistency you like. Then add your fresh toppings and enjoy!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	45-50 minutes
Total Time	55-65 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 300-350
• Protein: 25-30 g
• Fat: 5-10 g
• Carbohydrates: 45-50 g

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup rice (short or long grain, using a us measuring cup)
• 1 can (14 ounces) chicken broth
• 3 cups of water
• 1/2 cup chicken, diced into small pieces
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• A piece of ginger, peeled (about 1 tablespoon size)
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• Cracked black pepper
• Chopped green onions
• Crispy fried shallots
• Lime for squeezing
• Chinese donut
• Chili sauce (such as sambal oelek)

Step 1: Rinse the Rice

Begin by rinsing the rice thoroughly in a mesh strainer under cold water.

Make sure to shake out any excess water to prevent the rice from becoming too soggy during cooking.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Pot

Add the rinsed rice to a large cooking pot.

Then add the chicken broth, water, chicken pieces, garlic, ginger, and kosher salt.

Stir all the ingredients together to ensure they are well mixed.

Step 3: Cook the Porridge

Set your pot to cook on the porridge setting, if available.

If you do not have a porridge setting, simply cook on a standard setting.

Leave the lid uncovered and allow it to cook for about 45-50 minutes.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once the cooking time is complete and the porridge has reached your desired consistency, serve it hot.

Garnish with sliced green onions and freshly cracked black pepper or any other preferred toppings.

Pair with sides of your choice to enhance the dish.

Enjoy your comforting bowl of chicken porridge!