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Three-Cup Chicken

3 reviews
5.0 3
Three Cup Chicken cooked in the microwave using the glass Anyday dish, delivering tender chicken infused with a rich, savory sauce made from soy sauce, rice wine, and sesame oil. Enjoy a quick and flavorful Taiwanese-inspired meal, ready in minutes.
Three Cup Chicken in the microwave
PT8M PT6M

Prep Time

8 mins

Cook Time

6-8 mins
3 reviews

Free Time

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This classic Taiwanese dish uses mostly Asian pantry staples and is a cinch to put together. The name comes from the traditional recipe, which is made using equal parts soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sesame oil. (The proportions in our version are a little different.) Be sure to make extra rice to soak up that good sauce!

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

Asian, Basil, Meat, Chicken, Chicken Drumsticks/Thighs, Chinese, chinese new year, lunar new year, All Recipe Videos, Deep Dish, Shallow Dish Meat

What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Medium Shallow Dish

Look no further for making poached eggs, desserts, dips, and small portions of meat or fish.

The Medium Deep Dish

The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Shallow Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon chili flakes
  • 8 oz (225g) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut in 1” chunks
  • 2 tablespoons shaoxing wine (Chinese cooking wine)
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch 
  • ½ cup (10g) basil leaves (preferably Thai)


Preparation

  1. Place the oils, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes in the Anyday dish and mix to combine. Cover with the lid (knob lifted). Cook in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic has softened.
  2. Add the chicken, shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar and cornstarch and mix until fully dissolved. Cover and continue cooking with the lid slightly ajar for 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened.
  3. Toss in the basil leaves and serve while warm.


Serving suggestions & tips

  • For a vegetarian dish, use firm tofu or cauliflower florets instead of chicken.
  • Enjoy over rice or with a side of bok choy.


Recipe notes

  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.