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Three Cup Chicken

A Taiwanese classic braised in equal parts soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine. Tender chicken with basil and a savory-sweet glaze.

45 minMediumServes 4380 cal/serving

ChineseDinnerStovetopStandard

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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, halved
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup rice wine (Shaoxing wine)
  • 8 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 tbsp fresh ginger, sliced
  • 1 cup Thai basil leaves
  • 2 red chilies, halved
  • 2 scallions, chopped

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat 1/2 cup sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat.

  2. 2

    Add 8 crushed garlic cloves and 2 tbsp sliced fresh ginger. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  3. 3

    Add 2 lbs halved boneless chicken thighs and sear on both sides, about 3 minutes per side.

  4. 4

    Pour in 1/2 cup soy sauce and 1/2 cup rice wine (Shaoxing wine). Bring to a simmer.

  5. 5

    Add 2 halved red chilies. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until thighs is cooked through.

  6. 6

    Stir in 1 cup Thai basil leaves. Simmer uncovered for 3 minutes.

  7. 7

    Garnish with 2 chopped scallions and serve over rice.

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Questions

How long does Three Cup Chicken take?

As written, 45 minutes: 15 of prep and 30 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 5 (20 minutes): "Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until thighs is cooked through."

Can I skip the searing in Three Cup Chicken?

Step 3 reads: "Add 2 lbs halved boneless chicken thighs and sear on both sides, about 3 minutes per side." You can, but you give up flavor. The browning in step 3 builds the savory base the rest of the dish is seasoned against. Give the pieces room so the pan stays hot.

What can I use instead of Shaoxing wine in Three Cup Chicken?

The entry for Three Cup Chicken calls for 1/2 cup rice wine (Shaoxing wine). In its place: Dry sherry is the standard stand-in, measure for measure. For no alcohol, use chicken stock with a splash of rice vinegar.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs in Three Cup Chicken?

Yes, with care. Breasts dry out sooner: pull them at 165 F, which usually means a few minutes less than the thighs would take. As written, the entry for Three Cup Chicken uses 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, halved.

How hot is Three Cup Chicken?

Moderately. The heat in Three Cup Chicken comes from 2 red chilies, halved. For a milder plate, remove the seeds and ribs from the chilies, or use half; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Does Three Cup Chicken contain sesame?

Yes: 1/2 cup sesame oil. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, soy and sesame. Seeds used as a garnish can simply be left off; the oil has no true substitute. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How many calories are in Three Cup Chicken?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 380 calories, with 35 g protein, 8 g carbohydrate and 18 g fat, plus 1120 mg sodium.

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