Description
This Chinese-style Black Pepper Chicken is a delicious stir-fry featuring juicy chicken, crunchy bell peppers, and onions tossed in a rich, garlicky black pepper sauce. It’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner and comes together in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Black Pepper Sauce:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (for deeper color)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water, to thicken)
- 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper (adjust for spice level)
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix the chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the sauce and veggies.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, black pepper, sugar, and chicken broth.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water) to thicken the sauce. Set aside.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Chicken
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Veggies
- In the same pan, add another tbsp of oil if needed.
- Sauté the onions, bell peppers, garlic, and ginger for 2 minutes, until fragrant but still crisp.
Step 5: Combine & Finish
- Return the chicken to the pan and pour in the black pepper sauce.
- Stir-fry everything for 2-3 minutes, coating the chicken and veggies in the sauce.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve hot!
Notes
Black Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper for the best taste.
Vegetable Options: Try adding mushrooms, carrots, or snap peas.
Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Make it Spicier: Add red pepper flakes or chili oil!