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Easy and authentic three cup chicken (san bei ji) recipe that anyone can make at home. This three cup chicken recipe tastes homey and takes 20 mins to make.
Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken
Three cup chicken or san bei ji (三杯鸡) is one of the most classic Taiwanese recipes. I always order this dish whenever I eat out at Taiwanese restaurants.
I love Taiwanese recipes because they are unpretentious, humble and homey dishes that are easy to make at home. One of my favorite Taiwanese recipes is Taiwanese salt and pepper chicken.
Taiwanese cuisine is basically Chinese food with local influences with slightly different cooking methods, local adaptations and variations.
Many Taiwanese dishes remind me of Chinese-Malaysian food. Both share the same origin from Fujian province in China as many early immigrants settled in Taiwan, Malaysia or Singapore.
Why Is It Called Three Cup Chicken
The name three cup chicken (三杯鸡) comes from the three key ingredients in the recipe:
- Sesame oil
- Chinese rice wine
- Soy sauce
“Cups” refer to the equal ratio instead of literal measurement of three cup chicken recipe.
A true and authentic Taiwanese three cup chicken calls for basil leaves, the soul of the dish that lends an exotic aroma and minty nuance to the taste.
Taiwanese also love all sorts of “three cup” recipes, for example three cup squid (三杯小卷), tofu, mushrooms or eggplant. All of them are delicious!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
How To Make Three Cup Chicken
If you like crispy chicken, you may deep fry the chicken quickly until the outer part of the chicken are fried, but may not cooked through inside.
Drain the chicken with paper towels and follow the remaining cooking steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is only 308 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Three Cup Chicken
This dish is best served as a main entree, with steamed rice. For a wholesome Taiwanese meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Other Recipes You Might Like
Three Cup Chicken (三杯鸡)
Ingredients
- 1 lb (500g) chicken drumsticks, chicken thighs or a combination of chicken parts
- 1 tablespoon baking soda , to tenderize the chicken, optional
- 2 tablespoons dark sesame oil , or toasted sesame oil
- 2- inch (5cm) old ginger, peeled and cut into thin pieces
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dark sweet soy sauce, kecap manis
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
- 1 bunch Thai basil leaves
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into pieces and rub them with baking soda. Set aside for 10 minutes before rinsing the chicken with water. Make sure the baking soda is completely rinsed off. Pat the chicken pieces dry and set aside. This step is optional.
- Heat a clay pot over high heat and add the sesame oil. Add the ginger and garlic, and stir-fry until aromatic. Add the chicken and stir quickly a few times.
- Add the soy sauce, dark sweet soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine, then continue stir-frying the chicken. Cover with the lid, lower the heat, and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Add the basil leaves and stir well with the chicken. Dish out and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I triedย this recipe the other day. It’s really good, I will do it again. I am using quarter chicken, fat and skin off. Next time I will use just chicken thigh.
I have dried Thai basil. How much should I use?
Thanks.
Hi Carrie, dried thai basil is not a good option for this recipe, you can add sweet Italian basil.
I just love this recipe. Authentic but very easy, perfect!
Hi Paul, thanks for trying my recipe and for the 5 star rating!
Great base recipe! I added some Thai Birds Eye chili for some heat as Iโm used to this dishing having a slight kick, and the sauce needed to be simmered for another 10 minutes for it to reach the right consistency because otherwise it was too thin. Very happy with it however! I did add a dash more of sugar as I like my 3 cup chicken to be just a tad sweeter than where it was at when I first tasted it
Thai chilies sound great. SO glad you enjoyed my recipe and thanks for the 5 stars ratings!! :)
You ask for drumsticks, thighs, etc but then you say โcut up the chickenโ can you clarify?
I assume this would still be great with boneless chicken thighs?
Yeah cut up the drumsticks and thighs. Yes you can use boneless.