Step 1 of 5
Three-cup chicken
Pat the chicken dry. Heat the vegetable oil and half the sesame oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat and fry the ginger slices slowly until their edges shrivel and brown, 4 minutes. Add the garlic cloves and fry until golden, 2 minutes.
Tip: Low and slow here. Toasted sesame oil burns and turns bitter on high heat.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Three-cup chicken take?
45 min all in — 15 min prep, 30 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 people. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Easy.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Soy, Wheat, Sesame. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Dairy-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Dutch oven, Chef's knife.
How much salt do I put in?
This recipe does not list salt as its own ingredient. Saltiness comes from Soy sauce — 4 tbsp; Dark soy sauce — 1 tsp. Taste at the end rather than adding a number we did not write.
How much toasted sesame oil?
4 tbsp (toasted) of Toasted sesame oil.
How much soy sauce?
4 tbsp of Soy sauce.
How much dark soy sauce?
1 tsp of Dark soy sauce.
How much sugar?
1½ tbsp (rock sugar, crushed) of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
Thai basil → Italian basil. Sweeter and softer without the anise edge. Use the same amount and add it the same way.
What should I watch for?
Watch the last minute. Once the sugar concentrates it can catch on the bottom.
Any tips from this recipe?
Bone-in pieces chopped with a cleaver are the Taiwanese way and the bones enrich the glaze. Ask the butcher to chop them. The garlic cloves should be soft and sweet by the end. Eat them. Swap the chicken for 500 g king oyster mushrooms cut into chunks for a well-known vegetarian version; braise 8 minutes instead of 12.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.