“Winner winner, chicken dinner!” – a phrase every Aussie knows and loves. At Otao Kitchen, we believe there’s no such thing as boring chicken—especially when you’ve got delicious global recipes at your fingertips.
In this post, we’re sharing three ultimate ways to cook a whole chicken, from the classic Aussie roast to the bold spices of India and the comforting flavours of Malaysia and Singapore. These recipes will not only boost your confidence in the kitchen, but also guarantee that your dinner table is the real winner.
1. Matt Preston’s Roast Chicken with Stuffing (Australia)
There’s nothing quite like a golden roast chicken, and this one comes from none other than MasterChef Australia’s Matt Preston.
What makes this roast chicken truly special is its tangy splash of sherry vinegar and a uniquely spiced stuffing made with bacon, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and sweet sultanas. It’s rich, juicy, and loaded with flavour.
👉 Try Matt Preston’s perfect roast chicken recipe here
💡 Want to master roasting techniques like this? Check out our roast dinner cooking classes and elevate your Sunday roast.
2. Indian Roast Chicken with Homemade Garam Masala Butter
For those who love bold spices and aromatic flavours, this Indian-style whole roasted chicken is a must-try.
It starts with making a butter infused with ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, chilli powder, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper—your very own homemade garam masala butter. Spread it generously over the chicken and roast to perfection. The result? Fragrant, juicy chicken with crispy, spice-packed skin.
👉 Follow this Indian roast chicken recipe
🔥 Learn to use spices with confidence in our Indian cooking masterclass.
3. Hainanese Chicken Rice (Malaysia & Singapore)
If you love simplicity and comfort, Hainanese Chicken Rice will be your new go-to.
Popular in Malaysia and Singapore, this poached chicken recipe uses just a few pantry staples—ginger, garlic, spring onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt. Simmer the whole chicken gently to lock in juiciness, and serve it with fragrant rice cooked in the poaching broth.
It’s light, nourishing and absolutely satisfying.
👉 Try this easy Hainanese chicken rice recipe
🥢 Want to recreate hawker-style dishes at home? Explore our Southeast Asian cooking classes and travel through flavour without leaving Melbourne.
Chicken Is Anything but Boring
So next time someone tells you chicken is boring, show them otherwise. With just one bird and a few simple ingredients, you can travel across cultures and cuisines without leaving your kitchen.
At Otao Kitchen, we’re passionate about helping home cooks and food lovers discover new ways to turn everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. Join our cooking classes to learn these dishes and more, hands-on and in a fun, friendly environment.
Let’s cook up a winner – together!
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