Chinese Three Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji)
Chinese three cup chicken uses juicy mouthfuls of chicken thigh coated in a dark and syrupy sauce, laced with chilli, garlic and ginger.
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 600g / 1½ lbs skinless boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 2 tsp cornstarch (cornflour)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger peeled and cut into round coin sized slices
- 4 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 red chilli sliced
- 2 green onions cut into 2 inch pieces
- 2-3 tbsp This is an affiliate link.Shaoxing wine
For the sauce
- 75ml / 1/3 cup This is an affiliate link.light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 3 tsp sugar or honey
- 5-6 Thai basil leaves whole
- 1 tbsp This is an affiliate link.Chinese chilli oil to serve
Instructions
- Cut the chicken thighs into bit-sized pieces. In a bowl combine the salt, cornstarch and white peppers. Add the chicken pieces to the mix and toss to coat.
- In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar and set aside till needed.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok over high heat, then add the slices of ginger, garlic, red chilli and green onions, stir fry for no longer than 10-15 seconds, then push the aromatics to the sides of the wok and add the chicken pieces and brown all over. Then deglaze the pan with the Shaoxing wine and let it reduce.
- Now pour in the earlier mixed sauce all over the chicken and let it bubble for approximately 3 minutes until the sauce reduced and turned syrupy. Add the basil leaves and let them wilt, then take off the heat. Serve with rice and chilli oil.
Notes
- An authentic version of this recipe would be made with bone-in chicken, but I find that boneless chicken cut into strips cooks quicker and is much easier to eat with chopsticks!
- Chicken breast is an option, but thighs are more tender and succulent.
- For real 3 cup chicken, the dish needs to include Shaoxing wine, soy sauce and sesame oil. Be sure to include them all!
- Thai basil isn’t too difficult to find, especially in Asian supermarkets, but you can always substitute with regular fresh basil.
Nutrition
Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 1454mg | Potassium: 485mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 230IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg