Main Course · Asian · Dinner ·

Silken Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken with Thai Basil

Name: Silken Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken with Thai Basil
Prep time: 23 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 93 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 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; Sesame oil, 1/3 cup; Soy sauce, 1/3 cup; Rice wine, 1/3 cup; Sugar, 2 tablespoons; Garlic slices, 5 cloves; Ginger slices, 2-inch piece, thinly sliced; Thai basil leaves, 1 cup, fresh; Red chilies, 2–3 small, optional

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

4.4(319 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 2, 2025

Silken Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken with Thai Basil — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

23 min

Cook

1 h 10 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chicken Marinade

For the Sauce

Aromatics and Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 672 kcal
Protein: 33.75 g
Carbs: 15.5 g
Fat: 54.38 g
Fiber: 1.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2689 kcal
Protein: 135 g
Carbs: 62 g
Fat: 217.5 g
Fiber: 6 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Chicken thighs 500g, skin-on, bone-in, cut into 2-inch pieces	1100	90	0	80	0
Soy sauce 2 tablespoons	20	2	2	0	0
Rice wine 1 tablespoon	28	0	1	0	0
Ginger 1 teaspoon, grated	1	0	0	0	0
Garlic 2 cloves, minced	8	0	2	0	0.5
Sesame oil 1/3 cup	626	0	0	71	0
Soy sauce 1/3 cup	42	3	3	0	0
Rice wine 1/3 cup	84	0	2	0	0
Sugar 2 tablespoons	96	0	25	0	0
Garlic slices 5 cloves	20	0	4	0	1
Ginger slices 2-inch piece, thinly sliced	4	0	1	0	0.5
Thai basil leaves 1 cup, fresh	6	0	1	0	0
Red chilies 2–3 small, optional	4	0	1	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Chicken

1
Combine Marinade Ingredients
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice wine, grated ginger, and minced garlic.
2
Coat the Chicken
Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly.
3
Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably 1 hour.
Tip: For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken for at least an hour before cooking.

Preparing the Sauce

1
Whisk Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar until well combined.
2
Adjust Sweetness
Taste and adjust sugar if you prefer a sweeter sauce.
3
Set Aside
Set the sauce mixture aside until needed.
Tip: Ensure chicken is at room temperature before cooking to ensure even cooking. Use a dark soy sauce for a richer color and flavor.

How to Make Silken Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken with Thai Basil

Total time: 1 h 33 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Searing the Chicken
In a hot pan, sear the marinated chicken pieces in sesame oil until golden brown on all sides.
2
Adding Aromatics
Add sliced ginger and garlic to the pan, stirring until fragrant and lightly browned.
3
Simmering the Sauce
Pour in the sauce mixture and allow it to simmer, reducing slightly, for about 15 minutes.