San bei ji (three cup chicken)
San bei ji is a classic Taiwanese three cup chicken made with chicken winglets, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine and dark soy sauce. The Thermomix TM7 fries the garlic, ginger and chillies and then braises the winglets in the glossy sauce. This aromatic main course delivers sticky, caramelised chicken with a perfect balance of savoury and spicy flavours.
About this recipe
San bei ji Thermomix TM7 recipes bring the famous Taiwanese three cup chicken straight into your kitchen with an all-in-one kitchen machine. The name refers to the three key liquids: sesame oil, Shaoxing wine and soy sauce, which reduce into a glossy, caramelised glaze around succulent chicken winglets. Garlic cloves, fresh ginger and dried long chillies infuse the sauce with warming aromatics, while dark and light soy sauce create depth and colour. Preparing this quick weeknight dinner in the TM7 means the aromatics are chopped uniformly, the heat is controlled so the sesame oil never turns bitter, and the stirring happens hands-free while you cook rice or set the table. The result is sticky, restaurant-style braise with tender meat that falls off the bone, perfect for sharing with steamed jasmine rice.
Preparation tips
- Pat the chicken winglets dry with kitchen paper before adding them to the mixing bowl so the soy glaze clings better and the skin caramelises rather than steams in the sauce.
- Use a good-quality Shaoxing wine rather than standard cooking wine; its nutty depth is the backbone of the three cup sauce and cannot be replaced by salted alternatives.
- Tear a handful of fresh Thai basil over the finished San bei ji just before serving; the residual heat releases its perfume and gives the authentic Taiwanese finish without extra cooking.
Recipe variations
- Alcohol-free variation: replace the Shaoxing wine with an equal amount of low-sodium chicken stock plus a teaspoon of Chinese black vinegar; the San bei ji glaze stays glossy and tangy while remaining suitable for children.
- Festive variation: swap the chicken winglets for boneless chicken thighs and add button mushrooms and spring onion pieces in the final minutes, creating a richer San bei ji that works beautifully as a sharing platter for guests.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Precision weighing - The integrated scale of the Thermomix weighs the Shaoxing wine and soy sauce directly into the bowl for a balanced glaze. [Weighing]. [Precision Control]
- Fine chopping - The Thermomix chops garlic cloves and ginger evenly in seconds, releasing aromatics without manual knife work. [Chopping]. [Multi-Function]
- Grinding control - The TM7 grinds sea salt and dried long chillies to a consistent texture for even seasoning throughout the braise. [Grinding]. [Precision Control]
- Steady heating - The Thermomix heats the sesame oil sauce at a controlled temperature so the soy and wine reduce without burning. [Heating]. [Precision Control]
- Gentle reversal - The TM7 mixes the chicken winglets automatically with the reverse function, coating them evenly while keeping the skin intact. [Mixing]. [Hands-Free]
Ingredients
- chicken winglets
- sea salt
- ground white pepper
- garlic cloves
- piece fresh ginger
- dried long red chillies
- sesame oil
- Shaoxing wine
- dark soy sauce
- light soy sauce