This Black Pepper Chicken is a flavorful, savory dish featuring tender chicken coated in a rich black pepper sauce. It’s a quick, easy, and satisfying meal that can be made in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The black pepper sauce adds a slightly spicy kick that enhances the chicken’s flavor, and the bell peppers and onions give the dish a refreshing crunch. Serve it over steamed rice for a complete meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 tbsp light soy sauce

• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine

• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the Black Pepper Sauce:

• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

• 2 tbsp oyster sauce

• 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine

• 2 tbsp light soy sauce

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the Stir Fry:

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil, divided

• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 inch piece fresh ginger, minced

• 1/2 large white onion, cut into strips

• 2 medium bell peppers, cut into strips

Directions

1. Marinate the Chicken:
   Cut the chicken into strips, pat dry, and set aside. In a large bowl, mix the cornstarch, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and black pepper. Add the chicken, mix until well coated, and let it marinate for 10-15 minutes.

2. Prepare the Sauce:
   In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, cornstarch, and black pepper. Set aside.

3. Cook the Chicken:
   Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 30-60 seconds per side until browned. If necessary, cook in batches to ensure even searing. Remove the cooked chicken to a plate.

4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
   Add the remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the pan. Stir-fry the garlic, ginger, bell peppers, and onions for 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender.

5. Simmer the Sauce:
   Pour the prepared black pepper sauce into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes, until thickened. Add the chicken back to the skillet, toss to coat, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

6. Serve:
   Serve the Black Pepper Chicken hot over steamed rice. Enjoy!

Nutrients

• Calories: 330 kcal

• Protein: 30 grams

• Fat: 14 grams

  • Saturated Fat: 3 grams

• Carbohydrates: 12 grams

  • Fiber: 2 grams

  • Sugar: 6 grams

• Cholesterol: 90 mg

• Sodium: 700 mg

• Potassium: 650 mg

This dish provides a great source of lean protein and fiber, and it’s relatively low in carbohydrates. The black pepper sauce adds an extra flavor boost, while the vegetables keep the dish light and nutritious.

The Chicken: Tender and Flavorful

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts are used for this dish, offering lean protein while staying tender and juicy. The chicken is marinated in a simple mixture of cornstarch, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and freshly ground black pepper. This marinade helps the chicken stay moist while giving it a savory, peppery kick. The cornstarch also helps create a slight crisp on the chicken’s surface when cooked, adding texture to the dish.

Once marinated for about 10-15 minutes, the chicken is cooked in batches to ensure an even sear, locking in flavor and moisture. The result is perfectly cooked chicken with a slightly crispy exterior and a tender interior that pairs beautifully with the black pepper sauce.

The Black Pepper Sauce: Savory and Slightly Spicy

The star of this dish is the black pepper sauce, which combines chicken broth, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, cornstarch, and black pepper. This sauce is savory, slightly spicy, and rich, making it the perfect complement to the tender chicken. The addition of oyster sauce gives the sauce a deep umami flavor, while the black pepper provides a subtle heat that enhances the overall dish without overpowering the other ingredients.

As the sauce simmers, it thickens slightly, creating a glossy coating that clings to the chicken and vegetables. The combination of soy sauce and oyster sauce adds a balance of saltiness and richness, while the Shaoxing wine imparts a slight depth and complexity, characteristic of many Chinese stir-fries.

The Vegetables: Crunchy and Colorful

Bell peppers and onions are stir-fried until they’re crisp-tender, providing a refreshing crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken and rich sauce. The colorful bell peppers add vibrancy to the dish while providing a sweet, earthy flavor that balances the heat of the black pepper sauce. Onions offer a mild, savory bite that complements the other vegetables and chicken.

The garlic and ginger are minced and stir-fried with the vegetables, adding aromatic depth and a subtle heat to the dish. Together, the vegetables not only bring texture and color but also add fiber and vitamins, making this dish a nutritious choice.

Cooking the Dish: Quick and Easy

This dish is incredibly easy to make, with the chicken cooked in just a few minutes in a hot skillet or wok. After the chicken is browned and set aside, the garlic, ginger, bell peppers, and onions are quickly stir-fried until they’re just tender but still crisp. The prepared black pepper sauce is added to the pan, and after simmering for a few minutes to thicken, the chicken is returned to the pan and coated in the sauce. A few more minutes of cooking ensure that the chicken is fully cooked and the flavors are well combined.

The result is a dish that’s packed with flavor, texture, and vibrant colors, all in under 30 minutes. The quick stir-frying ensures that the vegetables retain their crunch, while the sauce perfectly coats the chicken and vegetables for an incredibly satisfying meal.

Serving Suggestions: A Complete Meal

Black Pepper Chicken is best served over steamed rice, which soaks up the savory sauce and complements the other flavors in the dish. For a more substantial meal, you could also serve it over noodles or quinoa. The crispy chicken, flavorful sauce, and crunchy vegetables come together beautifully, creating a meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.

This dish can also be served with a side of steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, or a simple cucumber salad to add some extra freshness and balance to the meal.

Why You Should Try Black Pepper Chicken

Black Pepper Chicken is the perfect weeknight meal when you need something flavorful and satisfying but don’t have a lot of time. The tender chicken and crunchy vegetables are coated in a rich black pepper sauce that’s slightly spicy, savory, and tangy. It’s a quick, easy, and healthy meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy days. The dish can be customized with more or less heat from the black pepper and chile-garlic sauce, allowing you to adjust it to your preferred spice level.

This dish is also a great option for meal prepping. It reheats well and makes for a delicious lunch the next day. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a family, Black Pepper Chicken is sure to become a favorite.

Conclusion

Black Pepper Chicken is a quick, flavorful dish that delivers a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. With its tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and rich black pepper sauce, this stir-fry is both satisfying and nutritious. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal that’s packed with flavor and texture.