Stir-Fried Taiwanese Three-Cup Chicken with Basil

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant Taiwanese classic featuring tender chicken simmered in a savory, sweet, and aromatic sauce with fresh basil leaves. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs tablespoons sesame oil, smashed garlic cloves, tablespoons, thinly sliced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 340 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons of sesame oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 6 smashed garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons thinly sliced ginger, stir-frying for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 500 grams of chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until the chicken is golden all over.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 3 tablespoons each of soy sauce and rice wine along with 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes. Stir to combine and reduce heat to medium-low, simmering uncovered for 8-10 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
  4. Step 4: Toss in 3 scallions cut into 2-inch lengths and 1 cup of fresh Taiwanese basil leaves, stirring for 1 minute until the basil wilts and releases aroma. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Taiwanese Three-Cup Chicken with Basil take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Stir-Fried Taiwanese Three-Cup Chicken with Basil?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tablespoons sesame oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Taiwanese Three-Cup Chicken with Basil?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Stir-Fried Taiwanese Three-Cup Chicken with Basil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Stir-Fried Taiwanese Three-Cup Chicken with Basil?

Chinese chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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