Have you ever heard someone mention “chicken cups” and wondered what exactly they were talking about? Well, I was confused too until I dove into researching these fascinating objects. Turns out, “chicken cups” can refer to two completely different things – one being a treasured Chinese porcelain masterpiece dating back centuries, and the other a delicious modern appetizer! Let’s explore both types of chicken cups and why they’re so special.
The Imperial Chinese Chicken Cup: A Porcelain Treasure
The Origins and History
The original “chicken cup” is actually a small bowl-shaped vessel made of Chinese porcelain during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), specifically during Emperor Chenghua’s reign (1465-1487). These exquisite porcelain cups were created in the imperial kiln at the Jingdezhen porcelain factory in southern China.
What makes these cups so special? For starters they were commissioned by Emperor Chenghua himself as an act of devotion to his empress mother, who had an appreciation for small objects with simple designs. The cups originally functioned as wine vessels for the imperial court.
Design and Symbolism
The Chinese chicken cups are decorated using a complex technique called “doucai” which translates to “contending” or “contrasting colors.” The decoration process was incredibly intricate
- First, the design was drawn in cobalt blue on the unfired vessel
- After glazing and high-temperature firing, the outlines were filled with overglaze enamel pigments
- Then the cup underwent a second, lower-temperature firing to bring out the vibrant colors
The cups feature two main decorative scenes:
- A scene with roosters, hens, and their chicks pecking at the ground
- A floral scene with red peonies and yellow lilies alongside garden rocks
These images weren’t just decorative – they carried deep cultural meaning. The chicken family symbolizes core Chinese Confucian values:
- Nurturing the young (essential for family continuation)
- The emperor caring for his subjects
- Fertility and familial luck
- Five virtues: literary skill, martial prowess, bravery, benevolence, and honesty
The flowers also held symbolic meaning – red peonies represented wealth and honor, while yellow lilies symbolized longevity.
Rarity and Value
Today, authentic Chenghua chicken cups are incredibly rare. Only about sixteen are known to exist worldwide:
- Eight are held by the National Palace Museum in Taipei
- Five are in museum collections (including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the British Museum in London)
- Three are privately owned
In 2014, one of these cups sold at a Sotheby’s auction for a staggering $36.05 million to Shanghai billionaire Liu Yiqian, setting a record for Chinese porcelain. That’s right – one tiny cup worth more than most mansions!
The value stems not just from their age but their exceptional craftsmanship, historical significance, and extreme rarity. Many reproductions were made during later periods, especially the Qing dynasty, but authentic Chenghua cups remain among the most sought-after Chinese art objects in existence.
Physical Characteristics
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s chicken cup gives us a good example of these treasures:
- Height: about 1.6 inches (4.1 cm)
- Diameter at rim: about 3.3 inches (8.3 cm)
- Base diameter: about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
Each cup features a six-character mark in underglaze blue on the base reading “Da Ming Chenghua nianzhi” (Made during the Chenghua reign of the Great Ming dynasty).
Modern Chicken Cups: A Delicious Appetizer
Now, let’s shift gears completely to talk about the other kind of “chicken cups” – a tasty modern recipe that’s perfect for parties or snacks!
What Are Modern Chicken Cups?
Modern chicken cups are a creative food dish where savory chicken filling is baked in small cups made of dough, creating handheld portions that are easy to serve and eat. The most popular version is called “Crack Chicken Cups” – named after the addictive “crack chicken” mixture that forms the filling.
Crack Chicken Cups Recipe
These delicious treats take a popular chicken dip recipe and transform it into convenient hand-held cups. They’re perfect for parties, game days, or just a fun family dinner.
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (half block) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon dried ranch seasoning
- 1½ cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced (plus more for garnish)
- 1 can crescent dough sheet
- Ranch dressing for dipping (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray 8 sections of a muffin tin with baking spray
- In a large bowl, whip the cream cheese until smooth
- Add sour cream and ranch seasoning, mixing until combined
- Mix in the chicken, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onion
- Roll out the crescent dough sheet and cut into 8 even pieces
- Press the dough pieces into the muffin tin sections, making sure the corners overlap the sides
- Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the cups
- Fold the corners of the dough over to overlap the filling, forming little cups
- Top with the remaining cheese
- Bake for 14-15 minutes until lightly golden brown
- Garnish with more green onions and serve with ranch dressing for dipping if desired
Why People Love Modern Chicken Cups
These savory cups have become super popular in recent years because:
- They’re handheld and portable – no utensils needed!
- The combination of creamy, cheesy, savory flavors is irresistibly delicious
- They’re versatile – great as appetizers, snacks, or even a main dish
- They’re relatively easy to make with common ingredients
- They can be customized with different fillings and flavors
Storage and Variations
If you make too many (though that’s rarely a problem!), you can:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- Freeze them for up to 6 months
- Reheat in the microwave or oven on a low setting
Some popular variations include:
- BBQ chicken cups with barbecue sauce instead of ranch
- Buffalo chicken cups with hot sauce added to the mixture
- Mexican-style cups with taco seasoning instead of ranch
- Vegetarian cups using plant-based chicken substitutes
Two Cups, Two Worlds Apart
It’s fascinating how the same name – “chicken cups” – can refer to such drastically different things:
| Aspect | Ming Dynasty Chicken Cup | Modern Chicken Cup |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | 15th century imperial China | Contemporary American cuisine |
| Material | Fine porcelain | Dough and chicken filling |
| Purpose | Ceremonial wine drinking | Appetizer or snack |
| Value | Millions of dollars | A few dollars in ingredients |
| Availability | Extremely rare | Can make anytime at home |
Yet both share something in common – they’ve become beloved in their respective contexts. The imperial chicken cups represent the pinnacle of Chinese ceramic artistry, while modern chicken cups represent creative, accessible home cooking that brings people together.
So there you have it – chicken cups can be either priceless Ming dynasty porcelain treasures or delicious hand-held appetizers! Which one were you thinking of when you searched for information?
If you’re interested in the historical chicken cups, you might need to visit museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York or the National Palace Museum in Taipei to see authentic examples (unless you happen to have $36 million lying around!).
If the modern recipe caught your eye, why not try making some this weekend? They’re fairly simple to prepare and always a hit at gatherings. I made them for a family get-together last month, and they disappeared faster than I could say “chicken cup”!
Have you encountered either type of chicken cup before? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Why You’ll Love Chicken Bake Cups
These Chicken Bake Cups have all the incredible components of sushi—steamed rice seasoned with rice vinegar, salty strips of nori (aka seaweed), and spicy mayo—wrapped up into delicious, individual-size parcels. All you need is a muffin tin to form these delectable bites; no sushi-rolling technique is necessary.
How to Prepare Chicken Bake Cups
Cut chicken into small cubes of roughly equal size.
Mix chicken cubes with oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and spicy mayo in a bowl.
Next, rinse the rice and cook according to package instructions (I use a rice cooker), adding salt for flavor.
Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
✨ Place a tablespoon of warm, cooked rice onto each square of nori and press down into muffin tin cups. Then add a spoonful of marinated chicken on top of each rice cup.
♨️ Bake the Chicken Bake Cups for about 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Turn on the broiler and broil for 60-90 seconds until the chicken is crispy and browned.
Remove from oven, cool slightly, and top with additional spicy mayo and chives.
You can use any rice you enjoy; I like jasmine rice, but sushi rice or any short-grain rice will all work. Be sure to cook it as per the package directions.
Chicken Cups
FAQ
What is a chicken cup?
A Chicken Cup is a bowl-shaped vessel made of Chinese porcelain painted in the doucai technique. Chicken cups were created during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), during the Chenghua Emperor’s reign (1465–1487) in China, and originally functioned as a vessel to drink wine from.
What are the three cups in three cup chicken?
3 Cup Chicken is called 3 cup chicken because traditionally this dish is cooked with 3 cups: 1 cup of soy sauce, 1 cup of rice wine, and 1 cup of sesame oil ~ hence the ‘3 cups’. This is probably my favorite traditional Taiwanese dish because the flavors really pair well together.