What Are Chicken Cups? From Imperial China to Modern Recipes

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

1. First, the design was drawn in cobalt blue on the unfired vessel
2. After glazing and high-temperature firing, the outlines were filled with overglaze enamel pigments
3. 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:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray 8 sections of a muffin tin with baking spray
2. In a large bowl, whip the cream cheese until smooth
3. Add sour cream and ranch seasoning, mixing until combined
4. Mix in the chicken, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onion
5. Roll out the crescent dough sheet and cut into 8 even pieces
6. Press the dough pieces into the muffin tin sections, making sure the corners overlap the sides
7. Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the cups
8. Fold the corners of the dough over to overlap the filling, forming little cups
9. Top with the remaining cheese
10. Bake for 14-15 minutes until lightly golden brown
11. 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:

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!