Three Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji) – AUTHENTIC! Recipe
Authentic Three Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji) is a classic Taiwanese dish known for its rich, savory, and aromatic flavors. Featuring tender chicken thighs braised with ginger, garlic, dried chili, and fresh basil in a flavorful sauce made from shaoxing wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil, this dish is perfect served over steamed rice for a comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Taiwanese
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Aromatics
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 6 slices ginger
- 6 cloves garlic
- 4 dried red chilis
- 2 cups fresh basil
Sauce
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp MSG (optional)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Oil
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut the chicken thighs into 2-inch pieces. Peel and slice ginger, peel and crush garlic cloves, and have dried red chilis and fresh basil ready in separate bowls for easy assembly.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine hot water, Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, MSG if using, sugar, and sesame oil. Stir until the sugar is dissolved to create a balanced savory and slightly sweet sauce.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ginger, garlic, and dried chilis and fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, releasing their aroma into the oil.
- Brown the Chicken: Increase the heat to high and add the prepared chicken pieces. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is slightly browned on all sides, which adds depth of flavor.
- Braise the Chicken: Pour in the premixed sauce and stir to combine thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a rapid simmer, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it braise gently for 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Finish with Basil: Turn off the heat and add fresh basil leaves. Stir gently until the basil wilts into the hot sauce, infusing it with a fresh herbal note. Serve the flavorful Three Cup Chicken immediately over hot steamed rice and enjoy!
Notes
- Using dark soy sauce enhances the color and adds a deeper flavor; avoid substituting with regular soy sauce alone.
- Adjust the number of dried red chilis to control the spiciness level.
- For best results, use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to prevent burning during braising.
- Fresh basil is essential for authentic flavor; Thai basil is recommended if available.
- MSG is optional but may enhance umami; omit if sensitive or preferred.
Keywords: Three Cup Chicken, San Bei Ji, Taiwanese chicken recipe, braised chicken, ginger garlic chicken, sesame oil chicken
