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Taiwanese Three-Cup Chicken

Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Servings4
AuthorMelissa Lee

Equipment

  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Several small bowls
  • Chinese wok
  • Medal specula

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 2-to-3- inch piece of ginger peeled and sliced into coins, approximately 12
  • 12 cloves of garlic peeled
  • 4 whole scallions trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 dried red peppers or 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 pounds chicken bone-in thighs and drumsticks cut into bite-size pieces
  • 4 cube unrefined Taiwanese rock sugar
  • ½ cup rice wine
  • 2 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves
  • 2 ~3 Fresh Thai bird chilies

Instructions

  • Heat a wok over high heat and add 2 tablespoons sesame oil. When the oil shimmers, add the garlic and peppers and cook until fragrant for approximately 2 minutes.
  • Scrape the aromatics to the sides of the wok and add remaining oil and allow to heat through.
  • Add scallions and garlic and cook until fragrant.
  • Add the chicken and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and crisping at the edges.
  • Add sugar and stir to combine, then add the rice wine and soy sauce and bring it to a boil.
  • Lower the heat, then simmer until the sauce has reduced and started to thicken for approximately 15 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat, add the basil and Thai bird chilies and stir to combine.
  • Serve with white rice.

Notes

Chef’s Tip

If you can’t find Thai basil, Italian basil will work just fine. In terms of the aroma, I prefer Thai basil over Italian basil, but I encourage you to cook with whatever you can get from your local supermarket. Don’t give up just because you can’t find one herb.
Taiwanese sock sugar is often used in Taiwanese cooking, just like palm sugar is essential for Thai cooking. Taiwanese people like it because it’s more subtle than cane sugar. It is not an easy ingredient to find. It is totally fine to use 1 table spoon of regular cane sugar or brown sugar for this dish.

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