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Black Pepper Chicken

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  • Author: samahkitchen
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stir-Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese

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

  1. 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

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, black pepper, sugar, and chicken broth.
  2. Stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water) to thicken the sauce. Set aside.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Chicken

  1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. 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

  1. In the same pan, add another tbsp of oil if needed.
  2. Sauté the onions, bell peppers, garlic, and ginger for 2 minutes, until fragrant but still crisp.

Step 5: Combine & Finish

  1. Return the chicken to the pan and pour in the black pepper sauce.
  2. Stir-fry everything for 2-3 minutes, coating the chicken and veggies in the sauce.
  3. 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!