For a more balanced chicken rice lunch, choose the rice portion you want, keep a suitable amount of chicken and add vegetables if the stall offers them. Ask for sauces separately when you want to control how much you use. If your aim is to cut some fat, ask for skinless chicken or plain steamed rice where available.
You can keep the part of the meal you came for. If you like the fragrant rice, keep it and consider a vegetable side. If you enjoy the chicken skin, choose a portion that suits you and adjust the sauce or drink instead.
- Ask which rice and vegetable options are available.
- Choose a portion that fits your appetite and the rest of the day.
- Use dipping sauce and soup according to taste.
- Check the total price before adding sides.
In this guide
Section 1 of 5
Choose the part of your order you want to change
SingHealth’s HealthXchange suggests asking for steamed white rice and removing chicken skin as ways to adjust a chicken rice order. Those options can suit someone who wants to reduce fat. A stall may also offer vegetables, which can make the plate more varied. SingHealth’s guide to food-court choices
| Your priority | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Keep fragrant rice | Can I choose the rice portion? |
| Try a plain staple | Do you serve plain steamed rice? |
| Have chicken without skin | Can you serve it without the skin? |
| Add vegetables | What greens or vegetable sides are available? |
| Keep track of sauce | Can I have the sauce separately? |
Section 2 of 5
Look at the whole meal
Chicken and rice supply the protein food and staple. If there are only a few cucumber slices, ask about greens or choose fruit later if that works better. HealthHub’s My Healthy Plate is a visual guide to fitting staple foods, protein and produce together. It can help you decide what to add when the plate is already in front of you. HealthHub’s My Healthy Plate guide
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Section 3 of 5
Use sauces and broth to taste
Chilli, dark sauce and soup can contribute sodium, and recipes differ by stall. Ask for sauces separately if you want control over the amount. Taste the chicken before adding more. If you want to reduce sodium, leaving some broth is another practical option. HealthHub’s advice on sodium when eating out
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Section 4 of 5
Make a practical order on a work or school day
If lunch needs to last until late afternoon, keep a satisfying portion of rice and chicken. If you have a small appetite or plan another meal soon, ask about a smaller rice portion. Check whether greens cost extra and whether plain water from your own bottle would leave room in your budget for a side.
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Section 5 of 5
Chicken rice ordering questions
Do I have to swap to plain rice?
Choose the rice you enjoy. You can adjust the vegetables, sauce or other parts of the meal.
Is all clear soup low in sodium?
Clear describes its appearance. Ask about the broth or leave some if you want less.
Is an extra vegetable always available?
Check the menu. A separate vegetable or whole fruit later can also work.