Discover how to make traditional Three Cup Chicken (三杯雞), a classic Taiwanese dish. This recipe features tender chicken simmered in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and sesame oil, enhanced with aromatic basil. Perfect for a delicious and easy-to-make meal.

Ingredients:

- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces

- 1/2 cup soy sauce

- 1/2 cup rice wine (Shaoxing wine)

- 1/4 cup sesame oil

- 1/4 cup sugar

- 5 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced

- 3-4 sprigs fresh basil leaves

- 2-3 dried red chilies (optional, for heat)

- 1/2 cup water

- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)

Instructions:

Prep the Chicken: Rinse the chicken pieces and pat dry with paper towels.

Cook the Aromatics: Heat sesame oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic, sliced ginger, and dried chilies (if using). Sauté until fragrant.

Brown the Chicken: Add chicken pieces to the pan and cook until they are browned on all sides.

Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and water. Stir well to combine.

Simmer: Reduce heat to low and cover the pan. Let the chicken simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Add Basil: Stir in fresh basil leaves and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the basil is wilted.

Thicken the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch mixture and stir until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

Serve: Transfer the chicken and sauce to a serving dish. Garnish with additional basil leaves if desired. Enjoy with steamed rice.

This savory and aromatic Three Cup Chicken is sure to be a hit at your next meal.

Nutritional values

1 Whole Chicken (cut into pieces):

 - Approximately 165 calories

 - 31g protein

 - 0g carbohydrates

 - 4g fat

Benefits: Excellent source of lean protein, promotes muscle growth, supports immune health, and provides essential vitamins like B6 and B12, which aid in energy production and brain function.

Soy Sauce (1/2 cup):

 - Approximately 50-60 calories

 - 6g protein

 - 8g carbohydrates

 - 0g fat

Benefits: Adds umami flavor, rich in sodium which can enhance food preservation, contains small amounts of antioxidants and beneficial isoflavones, but should be used in moderation due to high sodium content.

Rice Wine (Shaoxing Wine, 1/2 cup):

 - Approximately 75-80 calories

 - 0g protein

 - 3g carbohydrates

 - 0g fat

Benefits: Used to enhance flavor and tenderize meat, contains small amounts of antioxidants, but mostly contributes to flavor rather than significant nutritional benefits.

Sesame Oil (1/4 cup):

 - Approximately 213 calories

 - 0g protein

 - 0g carbohydrates

 - 24g fat (mostly healthy fats)

Benefits: Rich in healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated), supports heart health, anti-inflammatory properties, contains antioxidants like sesamin and sesamol that support skin health.

Sugar (1/4 cup):

 - Approximately 200 calories

 - 0g protein

 - 50g carbohydrates

 - 0g fat

Benefits: Provides quick energy, enhances flavor, but should be consumed in moderation to avoid blood sugar spikes and other potential health risks from overconsumption.

Garlic (5 cloves, minced):

 - Approximately 5 calories

 - 0.2g protein

 - 1g carbohydrates

 - 0g fat

Benefits: Boosts immune function, has antibacterial and antiviral properties, supports heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, and contains antioxidants.

Ginger (thumb-sized piece, sliced):

 - Approximately 5-6 calories

 - 0g protein

 - 1g carbohydrates

 - 0g fat

Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, aids in digestion, helps with nausea and motion sickness, supports immune health, and has antioxidant properties.

Fresh Basil Leaves (3-4 sprigs):

 - Approximately 1-2 calories

 - 0g protein

 - 0.1g carbohydrates

 - 0g fat

Benefits: Rich in antioxidants, supports skin health, aids digestion, has anti-inflammatory properties, and contains vitamin A, vitamin K, and iron.

Dried Red Chilies (2-3, optional):

 - Approximately 5-6 calories

 - 0g protein

 - 1g carbohydrates

 - 0g fat

Benefits: Provides capsaicin, which helps boost metabolism, supports heart health, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and adds heat and flavor.

Water (1/2 cup):

 - 0 calories

 - 0g protein

 - 0g carbohydrates

 - 0g fat

Benefits: Essential for hydration, helps regulate body temperature, supports digestion, and promotes healthy skin and organ function.

Cornstarch (1 tablespoon, mixed with water for thickening):

 - Approximately 30 calories

 - 0g protein

 - 7g carbohydrates

 - 0g fat

Benefits: Used as a thickening agent in sauces and soups, adds texture without contributing significant calories, gluten-free, and easily digestible.