three cups of duck

How to Make Three-Cup Chicken: A Culinary Guide

Three-Cup Chicken, a iconic Taiwanese stir-fry, gets its name from its signature sauce: one cup each of soy sauce, rice wine, and sesame oil, creating a harmonious balance of salty, aromatic, and rich flavors. Here’s a simple yet authentic recipe to recreate this beloved dish at home.

Ingredients: 500g chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces), 6-8 cloves garlic (smashed), 1-inch ginger (sliced), a handful of Thai basil, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons rice wine, 3 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 tablespoon sugar, and a pinch of pepper.

Steps:

1. Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken dry and marinate it in soy sauce, rice wine, and half the sesame oil for 15 minutes.

2. Sauté aromatics: Heat the remaining sesame oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger, stirring until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

3. Cook the chicken: Add the chicken and its marinade to the wok. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked through.

4. Simmer and thicken: Pour in 1 tablespoon of rice wine and sugar. Let it bubble for 2 minutes, then reduce heat to low.

5. Finish with basil: Turn off the heat, toss in Thai basil, and stir gently. The residual heat will wilt the leaves, releasing their aroma.

Serve hot with steamed rice. The key is to avoid overcrowding the wok and using fresh basil for an authentic burst of flavor. Enjoy this savory, soul-warming dish that’s both easy to make and unforgettable!