Introduction:
Three cup chicken or Sanbeiji (simplified Chinese: 三杯鸡; traditional Chinese: 三杯雞; pinyin: sānbēijī; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: sam-poe-ke; lit.: ‘three-cup chicken’) is a popular chicken dish in Chinese cuisine and one of the most iconic dishes of Jiangxi cuisine. The dish originates from the Jiangxi province of southern China, and is a specialty of Ningdu. The dish has become especially popular in Taiwan, being introduced to the island by the Hakka people.
Origins:
There are several versions for the origins of sanbeiji. These stories often involve a cook who placed three cups of sauces into an earthenware pot and simmered it for a long time. One version is that of Wen Tianxiang, a national hero and Jiangxi native during the Song dynasty. Wen was captured by the invading Yuan armies of Kublai Khan and tortured for four years during his imprisonment. It was during this time that a sympathetic prison warden cooked the dish for him (using these limited resources) before Wen Tianxiang’s execution.
“Three Cups”
The dish derives its name from the three cups of sauces required. For each chicken, a cup each of soy sauce, rice wine (usually mijiu although it may be mixed with Shaoxing jiu), and sesame oil are added.[1] Lin Shangquan, a famous chef in Taiwan, believes that the traditional recipe called for a cup each of soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar, with added ginger, garlic, and basil.
The chicken, together with the sauces, is cooked in an earthenware pot on high heat for ten minutes, then on low heat to allow the sauces to be absorbed by the meat. Sanbeiji is served with no sauce; the dish is cooked until all the sauce evaporates and is absorbed by the chicken. When it is served at the table, the chicken should be sizzling—even popping—on the cusp of burning. This gives the chicken a crisper texture (and richer flavor) unlike most other Chinese or Taiwanese stewed dishes. The dish is then eaten with either steamed rice or rice congee.
Other meats, such as pork or frog, can be substituted for chicken in this dish without detracting from the taste.
Our Version:
Our version of three cup chicken does not exactly use a cup of each of the 3 sauce ingredients. That would be too salty and oily. We also use black sesame oil which results in an even more flavorful dish.
Three Cup Chicken
Ingredients
- 5 pcs chicken leg quarters chopped to smaller pieces
- 2 stalks onion leeks
- ½ pc. red onion sliced
- 20 pcs. sliced ginger
- 2 heads garlic peeled
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 3 tbsp rice wine +2 tbsp rice wine
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce for color
- 4 pcs dried chillies optional
- 2 tbsp black sesame oil +1 tbsp black sesame oil
- 150 grams fresh Thai basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare a wok and add around sesame oil, cooking oil followed by the red onions. Turn on the heat and set to low. Saute the onions until slightly toasted. Pour oil into a bowl using a sieve. Set aside the toasted red onions.
- Add the oil back into the wok and set heat to medium, then add the sliced ginger and saute until slightly toasted.
- Add the chicken and cook in high heat for several minutes until chicken is browned.
- Add the garlic cloves, 1 tbsp rock sugar and 3 tbsp rice wine. Stir and then add 2 tbsp light soy sauce and continue stirring until soy sauce releases it's aroma. Pour enough water until half of chicken is submerged. Bring to a boil and cover. Reduce sauce to 30% with occasional stirring.
- Open cover and add stem/stalk of leeks. Add dried chillies, 2 tbsp black sesame oil and 1 tsp dark soy sauce for a darker color. Taste and add more light soy sauce or rock sugar if needed. Stir and then continue to reduce the sauce further.
- Meanwhile, prepare a claypot. Add 1 tbsp black sesame oil and set heat to medium, then add half of the basil leaves and remaining leaves of the leeks. Transfer the chicken to the claypot and add the toasted red onions that were set aside earlier. Top with the remaining basil leaves. Cover the claypot. Use a spoon to pour 2 tbsp rice wine around the lid. Serve immediately.
