RecipesTaiwanThree Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji)

Three Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji)

A classic Taiwanese braised chicken dish made with equal parts soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine, flavored with garlic, ginger, and basil.

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyMedium
Three Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji) - Taiwan traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 1 kg Chicken thighs(bone-in, cut into 2-inch pieces)
  • 5 cm Ginger(sliced)
  • 6 cloves Garlic(smashed)
  • 1 cup Thai basil leaves(packed)
  • 1/4 cup Soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup Sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup Rice wine
  • 1 tbsp Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Vegetable oil

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and stir-fry until lightly browned on all sides.

  2. 2

    Add ginger and garlic to the wok and stir-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  3. 3

    Pour in soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, and sugar. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

  4. 4

    Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.

  5. 5

    Stir in Thai basil leaves until wilted. Serve hot with steamed rice.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Use bone-in chicken for more flavor.
  • Don't overcrowd the wok when browning the chicken.
  • Add a pinch of white pepper for extra spice.

🔄 Variations

  • Add shiitake mushrooms for an earthy flavor.
  • Use chicken breast instead of thighs for a leaner option.

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