Taiwanese Three-Cup Chicken

Taiwanese three-cup chicken, or san bei ji, gets its name from the classic balance of sesame oil, soy-style sauce, and rice wine.

Brown the chicken, soften the ginger and garlic, then simmer everything until the sauce turns glossy and the basil becomes fragrant.

Add the basil at the end so it stays aromatic and green rather than cooking away into the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot from the pot with steamed rice and a simple cucumber side.

Recipe Notes

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

Taiwanese Three-Cup Chicken

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Tender chicken braised with sesame oil, tamari, rice wine, ginger, garlic, and fragrant basil in a clay-pot style sauce.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Taiwanese

Calories: 610

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x?

Three-cup chicken

• 2 lb boneless chicken thighs cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
• 3 oz fresh ginger thinly sliced
• 8 cloves garlic smashed
• 1/2 cup gluten-free tamari
• 1/2 cup Shaoxing rice wine
• 1 tbsp raw sugar
• 2 cups Thai basil leaves loosely packed
• 4 cups cooked white rice to serve

Equipment

• Clay pot or heavy skillet with lid
• Chef’s knife
• Tongs
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups

Method

 

Brown the chicken:

1. Heat the sesame oil in a clay pot or heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chicken in batches and brown for 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Braise and finish:

1. Add the ginger and garlic to the pot and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Return the chicken and add the tamari, rice wine, and sugar. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
3. Remove the lid and simmer for 5 minutes to reduce the sauce. Fold in the basil and serve with rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 610kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 43gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 170mgSodium: 1160mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8g

Notes

• Use boneless thighs for a tender, forgiving result.
• If using regular soy sauce, the dish is no longer gluten-free.