Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken

This Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji) is a classic dish packed with bold flavors from sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and fresh basil. It's a quick and easy weeknight recipe that simmers chicken thighs until tender and coated in a rich, glossy sauce.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian, Taiwanese

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Servings

Calories 432kcal

Author Kylie Mazon-Chambers

Ingredients

¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup Mirin
¼ cup toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons peanut oil (or another neutral oil)
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
8 dried Tien Tsin chili peppers (or chiles de arbol or 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes)
4 scallions, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
⅓ cup torn Thai basil leaves (or Italian basil leaves)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a small bowl whisk together the soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil and brown sugar and set aside.
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat, add the peanut oil, garlic and ginger. Stir constantly until garlic is golden brown, about 30 seconds.
Add the chicken, stirring, until the chicken is browned on all sides, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to the consistency of maple syrup, about 10 minutes. (If the chicken is cooked through, but the sauce has not reduced enough, remove the chicken from the wok and set aside in a bowl; cover to keep warm.)
Continue to cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally until thickened to the desired consistency.
Return the chicken to the sauce, stirring to combine then add the red peppers, scallions and basil.
To serve, divide the chicken among plates and serve with a side of white rice.

Notes

Swap the Thai basil for Italian basil if needed and chicken thighs for chicken breasts. If you can't find tien tsin peppers substitute chiles de arbol (a similar size) or 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Nutrition