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–+ servings
three cup chicken with rice
Carmen

3 Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji Recipe)

5 from 5 votes
Three Cup Chicken is a traditional Taiwanese dish called San Bei Ji. It is bone-in chicken simmered in the most flavorful aromatic sauce. The key ingredients include soy sauce, Shaoxing wine (rice wine), and sesame oil. Aromatics like ginger, garlic, and Sweet Thai Basil leaves make this dish special. You have to make this ultra-comforting meal. It is one of my favorites.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 -4
Course: Braising
Cuisine: Braising
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 bone-in chicken thighs skin removed*
  • 10 cloves of smashed garlic
  • 8 ginger slices
  • 2-3 dried chili
  • 3 tablespoon Shaoxing wine Chinese rice wine
  • 3 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 3 teaspoon dark soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of neutral oil for frying
  • 3 tablespoon of water
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 cup fresh Thai Basil leaves

Equipment

Method
 

  1. *Optional: Remove the chicken skin to make the dish healthier.
  2. In medium heat, add neutral oil to a cast iron pan, and brown your chicken pieces on all sides.
  3. In the meantime, prep the rest of your ingredients. Smash your garlic, slice your ginger, and remove the basil leaves from the stem.
  4. Prep your sauce. Put all the liquids in a bowl. Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and water.
  5. Once your chicken is browned, add the garlic, ginger and chilis. Saute until fragrant. 1 minute.
  6. Add the sauce.
  7. Put a lid and let it come to a boil, and simmer on low for 15 minutes.
  8. Remove the lid and add the Thai basil leaves.
  9. Mix a little bit with a spatula for 1-2 minutes.
  10. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • Remove the skin from the chicken thighs to make them healthier. Less fat.
  • For a faster cooking time, use your Instant Pot (pressure cooker). Brown the chicken, and add all the aromatics and sauce ingredients. Set to manual - 15 minutes. Natural release.
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