Silken Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken with Thai Basil

Name: Silken Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken with Thai Basil
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Chicken thighs; Soy sauce; Rice wine; Ginger; Garlic; Sesame oil; Soy sauce; Rice wine; Sugar; Garlic slices; Ginger slices; Thai basil leaves; Red chilies

A fragrant and flavorful Taiwanese classic

This traditional Taiwanese dish is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and aromatic flavors, brought to life by the unique addition of Thai basil.

1 h 10 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade

Chicken thighs

500g, skin-on, bone-in, cut into 2-inch pieces

Soy sauce

2 tablespoons

Rice wine

1 tablespoon

Ginger

1 teaspoon, grated

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

For the Sauce

Sesame oil

1/3 cup

Soy sauce

1/3 cup

Rice wine

1/3 cup

Sugar

2 tablespoons

Aromatics and Garnish

Garlic slices

5 cloves

Ginger slices

2-inch piece, thinly sliced

Thai basil leaves

1 cup, fresh

Red chilies

2–3 small, optional

Preparation

Marinating the Chicken

Combine Marinade Ingredients

In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice wine, grated ginger, and minced garlic.

Coat the Chicken

Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly.

Refrigerate

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably 1 hour.

For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken for at least an hour before cooking.

Preparing the Sauce

Whisk Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar until well combined.

Adjust Sweetness

Taste and adjust sugar if you prefer a sweeter sauce.

Set Aside

Set the sauce mixture aside until needed.

Ensure chicken is at room temperature before cooking to ensure even cooking. Use a dark soy sauce for a richer color and flavor.

Cooking Process

Searing the Chicken

In a hot pan, sear the marinated chicken pieces in sesame oil until golden brown on all sides.

Use medium-high heat.

Adding Aromatics

Add sliced ginger and garlic to the pan, stirring until fragrant and lightly browned.

Simmering the Sauce

Pour in the sauce mixture and allow it to simmer, reducing slightly, for about 15 minutes.

Maintain medium-low heat.

Plating & Serving