Gallery

Three Cup Chicken (So Good You’ll Devour Even the Garlic)

Three Cup Chicken (So Good You’ll Devour Even the Garlic)

Name: Three Cup Chicken (So Good You’ll Devour Even the Garlic)
Prep time: 18 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 48 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 (about 760g) Chicken drumsticks; about 3½ tablespoons Black sesame oil; 7-10 sprigs Thai basil leaves; 12 slices Ginger slices; 1 whole head Garlic; 1 stalk Scallion; 4 Dried red chilies; 4-5 tablespoons 8° glutinous rice wine; 2 tablespoons Light soy sauce; 1 tablespoon Dark soy sauce; 1 tablespoon Rock sugar

Other★ Easy48min

Prep 18m ·
Cook 30m ·
2 Servings

IngredientsWhat you'll need for Three Cup Chicken (So Good You’ll Devour Even the Garlic)

	Ingredient	Amount	Notes
	Chicken drumsticks	2 (about 760g)
	Black sesame oil	about 3½ tablespoons
	Thai basil leaves	7-10 sprigs
	Ginger slices	12 slices
	Garlic	1 whole head
	Scallion	1 stalk
	Dried red chilies	4
	8° glutinous rice wine	4-5 tablespoons
	Light soy sauce	2 tablespoons
	Dark soy sauce	1 tablespoon
	Rock sugar	1 tablespoon

A delicious Three Cup Chicken (So Good You’ll Devour Even the Garlic) recipe.

Cooking StepsHow to cook Three Cup Chicken (So Good You’ll Devour Even the Garlic) step by step

Step 1 Detail

Cut 2 chicken drumsticks into pieces and wash clean.
Step 2 Detail
Step 3 Detail

Place in cold water, bring to a boil over high heat.
Step 4 Detail
Step 5 Detail

After boiling, blanch for 2-3 minutes, remove and rinse with warm water. Set aside.
Step 6 Detail
Step 7 Detail

Group photo of all ingredients (I used this porcelain spoon to measure the sauce).
Step 8 Detail
Step 9 Detail

Over medium or medium-low heat, add a splash of black sesame oil (about 3 tablespoons — ⚠️ black sesame oil has a low smoke point, high heat will burn it and make it bitter). Add ginger slices and stir-fry until golden and fragrant (about 3 minutes).
Step 10 Detail
Step 11 Detail

Add garlic cloves, scallion segments, and dried chilies. Stir for about 10 seconds (my heat was a bit high here — make sure to use medium-low!).
Step 12 Detail
Step 13 Detail

Add the chicken pieces and toss to combine. Pour in the mixed sauce and stir well. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer until the sauce reduces — about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it; when the sauce is mostly reduced, it’s done (remember to flip the chicken pieces occasionally).
Step 14 Detail
Step 15 Detail

Add the Thai basil leaves (basil is the soul of three cup chicken).
Step 16 Detail
Step 17 Detail

Cover and let steam for 1-2 minutes (if there’s still plenty of sauce, keep on low heat; if not much left, turn off the heat and just let it steam).
Step 18 Detail
Step 19 Detail

Before serving, drizzle in ½ tablespoon of black sesame oil and glutinous rice wine. Toss well and plate up!
Step 20 Detail
Step 21 Detail

Plate cleaned out — even the garlic is delicious 😋
Step 22 Detail