As some of you might already know, I’m a Taiwanese-American. Growing up around these parts, my mom enrolled me in Chinese School. It’s not like normal school – all it is is it’s a 2 hour class on Saturday where a teacher taught you Mandarin Chinese and Chinese Literature. One of my fondest memories from back then was my mom and I would always grab dinner at the local Taiwanese restaurant and I would ALWAYS beg for Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken (aka San Bei Ji or 三杯鷄).
It was my fave! Mostly because I love basil… but who doesn’t! Basil has such a delicious and flavorful taste. So WHY is it called “Three Cup Chicken”, you might be thinking. Well, it’s because it’s ingredients basically are made up of 3 ‘cups’ of sauces – Soy Sauce, Rice Wine, and Sesame Oil. (We’re not actually going to use full ‘cups’ that is more of a figure of speech.)
I know for you folks that are on a strict paleo diet, you might be re-thinking this recipe, but I am totally going to show you how to make it so you can keep it paleo and gluten free.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Drumsticks – Traditionally, it’s bone in drumsticks, chopped in to smaller chunks. However, if you hate that, use what ever chicken you want.
- 1/2 cup Sesame Oil
- 1 cup Rice Wine (Paleo option: Either some white alcohol you are okay with, or skip it)
- 1/3 cup Soy Sauce (Paleo/Gluten Free option: Coconut Amino)
- A bunch of Fresh Basil
- 2 inch of Ginger, sliced
- 5-10 gloves Garlic (depending on their size), Peeled and kept in whole clove
- Scallions, cut up to about 2 inches
- 1 tbsp Traditional Pure Brown Rock Sugar aka 冰糖 (Paleo option: honey or coconut palm sugar)
- Clay Pot (Optional)
- Salt, as desired

BTW – You might be wondering what is Traditional Pure Brown Rock Sugar?! Well, if you are, it’s basically crystallized sugar that is used in many asian cuisine including Chinese Chrysanthemum tea and certain Chinese dessert soups. Here’s what it may look like:
Instructions
Prepare your Basil, Garlic, and Ginger if you haven’t already.

If you choose the traditional route and are using drumsticks, with a butcher knife, chop the drumsticks in to 3 segments (or 2 if they are smaller).
Heat a wok or skillet over high heat and add sesame oil.
Add the sliced ginger first and cook until slightly browned.

Add the chicken, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and crisping at the edges, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Then add rice wine, garlic, and scallions.

Now, if you have a Clay Pot, go ahead and transfer it over to the clay pot. If not, no worries! Just skip this step and continue on the recipe.
Add whatever version of sugar you used and stir to combine, then add the soy sauce, and bring just to a boil. Lower the heat, then simmer until the sauce has reduced and started to thicken, approximately 15 minutes.
You can give it a taste and if it’s not as salty as you like, add salt as desired.
Add the basil and stir to combine and then turn off the heat. Don’t let it cook the basil for too long.

Serve!




Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken (aka 三杯鷄)
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Drumsticks – Traditionally, it’s bone in drumsticks, chopped in to smaller chunks. However, if you hate that, use what ever chicken you want.
- 1/2 cup Sesame Oil
- 1 cup Rice Wine (Paleo option: Either some white alcohol you are okay with, or skip it)
- 1/3 cup Soy Sauce (Paleo/Gluten Free option: Coconut Amino)
- A bunch of Fresh Basil
- 2 inch of Ginger, sliced
- 5-10 gloves Garlic (depending on their size), Peeled and kept in whole clove
- Scallions, cut up to about 2 inches
- 1 tbsp Traditional Pure Brown Rock Sugar aka 冰糖 (Paleo option: honey or coconut palm sugar)
- Clay Pot (Optional)
- Salt, as desired
Instructions
- Prepare your Basil, Garlic, and Ginger if you haven’t already.
- If you choose the traditional route and are using drumsticks, with a butcher knife, chop the drumsticks in to 3 segments (or 2 if they are smaller).
- Heat a wok or skillet over high heat and add sesame oil.
- Add the sliced ginger first and cook until slightly browned.
- Add the chicken, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and crisping at the edges, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Then add rice wine, garlic, and scallions.
- Now, if you HAVE a Clay Pot, go ahead and transfer it over to the clay pot. If not, no worries! Just skip this step and continue on the recipe.
- Add whatever version of sugar you used and stir to combine, then add the soy sauce, and bring just to a boil. Lower the heat, then simmer until the sauce has reduced and started to thicken, approximately 15 minutes. You can give it a taste and if it’s not as salty as you like, add salt as desired.
- Add the basil and stir to combine and then turn off the heat. Don’t let it cook the basil for too long.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Kadoya Sesame Oil, 22.10 Fluid Ounce
- Lotus Blue 3-Quart Cartoon Pattern Ceramic Round Black Dish Casserole/Clay Pot/Earthen Pot/Ceramic Cookware With White Lid Heat-Resistant Fox Girl Uncle Brown Bear Gift Box
- Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos (2 Pack) - 8 fl oz - Low Sodium Soy Sauce Alternative, Low-Glycemic - Organic, Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Kosher - Keto, Paleo - 96 Total Servings
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 437Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 969mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 27g
Pin for later!

Looking for more Asian Chicken recipes? Try my most popular Easy Coconut Chicken Curry!
Recognizing that there are different types of soy sauces and sesame oils, which should be used in this recipe? Wouldn’t the sesame oil burn if used for frying?
Hi there! Great questions!!! So, light sesame oil has a higher smoke point than dark, but we’re not really deep frying here… only stir frying, so either one will work. As for soy sauce – I know this is probably not the answer you’re looking for but it depends on your preference. Some people like dark sweet soy sauce and some people like the light soy sauce. I like it light and low sodium, so that is what I personally used this time around.
Love the story about your childhood and such a great recipe to boot!
This looks delish! I have never had this before and really want to try it.
A perfect comfort food dish for the upcoming winter – definitely a saver!
Love three cup chicken. Absolutely one of our go-to dishes for sure !
This looks so good! That chicken looks packed with flavor!
This sounds delicious! I love all of that basil, ginger and garlic in there.
I’ve never had this dish before, but it has all my favorite flavors so I’m really excited to try it out!
That rock sugar is so cool! I love Asian dishes like this. So tasty looking!
Wow. I’ve never had this dish before but it looks really reallly good and like something my whole family would love. I will have to try it!!
So yum!!! All that lovely wilted basil! My garden is begging to be harvested of basil to be done for the fall and I think i’ll use it in this!
Tina, this recipe looks great! My mouth is watering. I love the pic of the rock sugar too. YUM!