Black Pepper Chicken Recipe

Zesty Black Pepper Chicken Recipe: A Flavor-Packed Delight

Culinary magic happens when black pepper chicken dances onto your plate with bold, aromatic flavors.

Carefully selected spices create a symphony of taste that will make your kitchen feel like a gourmet restaurant.

Tender chicken pieces get a robust coating of freshly ground black pepper, promising an explosion of warmth and intensity.

Each bite carries a delightful heat that tingles your senses without overwhelming them.

Fragrant herbs complement the spicy undertones, ensuring a balanced and memorable meal.

Home cooks can easily master this simple yet impressive dish that looks elegant and tastes extraordinary.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this delectable creation.

Why Black Pepper Chicken Stands Out

  • Craft a Comforting Meal: This French chicken casserole delivers a soul-warming dining experience with rich, deep flavors that transport you straight to the French countryside.
  • Master One-Pot Cooking: Simplify your kitchen routine by preparing an entire meal in a single dish, minimizing cleanup and maximizing deliciousness with minimal cooking skills required.
  • Impress Dinner Guests: Elevate your culinary reputation with a sophisticated French-inspired dish that looks and tastes like it came from a professional restaurant kitchen, without complicated techniques.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, weekend gatherings, or special occasions, this recipe accommodates different preferences and provides hearty nutrition for everyone at the table.

Ingredients For Black Pepper Chicken

For the Protein:
  • Chicken: Tender meat that serves as the main protein in this savory dish.
For the Marinade:
  • Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Sesame Oil, White Pepper: These ingredients help tenderize and enhance the chicken's flavor before cooking.
  • Cornstarch: Provides a crispy coating and helps thicken the sauce.
For the Vegetables:
  • Onions, Bell Peppers, Garlic: Add fresh, aromatic layers of flavor and texture to the dish.
For the Sauce and Seasoning:
  • Black Pepper: Adds a sharp, spicy kick to the chicken.
  • Oyster Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce, Sugar: Create a rich, balanced sauce with depth of flavor.
  • Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and enhances the overall savoriness of the dish.
For the Cooking and Finishing:
  • Vegetable Oil: Provides a neutral medium for stir-frying the chicken and vegetables.
Optional Serving:
  • Steamed Rice, Noodles: Classic accompaniments that complement the black pepper chicken.

How To Make Black Pepper Chicken

How To Make Black Pepper Chicken

Step 1: Whip Up the Marinade

Grab a mixing bowl and combine the flavor-packed marinade ingredients:
  • Soy sauce
  • Rice vinegar
  • Sesame oil
  • Cornstarch
  • White pepper

Toss the chicken into this magical mixture and let it soak up the goodness for 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Create a Crispy Coating

After marinating, roll the chicken pieces in cornstarch to give them an irresistible crunch.

Step 3: Fire Up the Skillet

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it’s sizzling hot.

Step 4: Transform Chicken to Golden Perfection

Slide the chicken into the hot skillet and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes.

Watch for those beautiful golden-brown edges and ensure it’s completely cooked through. Scoop out the chicken and set it aside.

Step 5: Awaken the Vegetable Flavors

In the same skillet, toss in:
  • Sliced onions
  • Bell peppers
  • Minced garlic

Stir-fry these colorful veggies for 3-4 minutes until they’re softened and fragrant.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken with Veggies

Bring the cooked chicken back to the skillet and shower it with freshly cracked black pepper.

Give everything a good stir to mix.

Step 7: Craft the Signature Sauce

Whip up a sauce that will make taste buds dance by mixing:
  • Soy sauce
  • Oyster sauce
  • Dark soy sauce
  • Sugar
  • Chicken broth

Pour this liquid gold into the skillet and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.

For a thicker sauce, add a cornstarch mixture.

Step 8: Plate and Devour

Serve your black pepper chicken alongside steamed rice or noodles and get ready for a flavor explosion!

Tips To Perfect Black Pepper Chicken

  • Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor infusion and more tender meat.
  • Ensure cornstarch coating is even to achieve maximum crispiness on chicken pieces.
  • Use freshly ground black pepper for a more intense, aromatic flavor profile.
  • Pat chicken dry before coating to help cornstarch adhere better and create a crispier texture.
  • Adjust sauce thickness by gradually adding cornstarch mixture to control consistency.

Flavor Twists For Black Pepper Chicken

  • Spicy Black Pepper Chicken: Add chili flakes or diced jalapeños for extra heat and kick.
  • Ginger Black Pepper Chicken: Incorporate fresh grated ginger into the marinade for a zesty, aromatic flavor profile.
  • Honey Black Pepper Chicken: Drizzle honey into the sauce for a sweet and savory combination that caramelizes beautifully.
  • Lemon Black Pepper Chicken: Squeeze fresh lemon juice at the end for a bright, citrusy finish that cuts through the richness.

Best Pairings For Black Pepper Chicken

  • Spicy Pepper Crunch Platter
  • Slice chicken and arrange over crispy lettuce leaves. Sprinkle extra black pepper and sesame seeds for added texture. Serve with chilled cucumber sticks and a small dipping sauce on the side.
  • Asian Street Food Style
  • Create a street-style presentation by serving chicken in small paper takeout containers. Garnish with chopped green onions and crushed peanuts. Add a wedge of lime for extra zesty flavor.
  • Healthy Rice Bowl Delight
  • Layer steamed brown rice at the bottom of a bowl. Top with black pepper chicken and colorful stir-fried vegetables. Drizzle remaining sauce and add a sprinkle of fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley.
  • Quick Lunch Wrap Adventure
  • Wrap the black pepper chicken in warm flour tortillas. Add fresh coleslaw mix for crunch.

Storing Black Pepper Chicken Properly

  • Store leftover black pepper chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the chicken separate from rice or noodles to maintain its crispy texture.
  • Pack the cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Warm the chicken in a skillet over medium heat to restore crispiness. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make the chicken soggy and tough. Add a splash of chicken broth to prevent dryness.
  • Marinate chicken and chop vegetables up to 24 hours in advance. Store marinated chicken in a sealed container in the refrigerator to enhance flavor and save cooking time.

FAQs

  • Why use cornstarch for coating chicken?

Cornstarch creates a crispy exterior by forming a protective layer that seals in moisture and helps achieve a golden-brown color when stir-frying.

  • Can I use different types of black pepper?

Freshly cracked black pepper works best for intense flavor, but pre-ground black pepper can also be used if that’s what you have available.

  • Is marinating the chicken necessary?

Marinating is optional but recommended as it helps tenderize the meat and adds deeper flavor to the chicken before cooking.

  • What can I do if the sauce is too thin?

If you want a thicker sauce, mix a small amount of cornstarch with water and add it to the skillet, stirring until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Black Pepper Chicken Recipe

Black Pepper Chicken Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Black pepper chicken brings bold Sichuan-style flavors to your dinner table. Spicy, aromatic seasonings combine with tender chicken for a quick and satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, bite-sized pieces)
  • 2 tbsps soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 large onion (sliced)
  • 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
  • 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
  • 23 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tbsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce (for optional marinade)
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (for optional marinade)
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare a zesty marinade by blending soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and white pepper in a mixing container.
  2. Immerse chicken pieces into the marinade, allowing flavors to penetrate for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
  3. Drain excess marinade and generously coat chicken with additional cornstarch, ensuring an even, crispy exterior.
  4. Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet to medium-high temperature (around 375°F), creating a shimmering surface.
  5. Carefully introduce marinated chicken into hot oil, stir-frying for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and thoroughly cooked through.
  6. Transfer chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its crisp texture.
  7. In the same cooking vessel, quickly sauté sliced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic for 3-4 minutes until they become translucent and slightly tender.
  8. Reintroduce cooked chicken to the vegetable mixture, generously sprinkling freshly ground black pepper for robust flavor.
  9. Create a savory sauce by whisking together soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and chicken broth.
  10. Pour sauce over chicken and vegetables, allowing ingredients to simmer and meld for 2-3 minutes.
  11. If desired, incorporate a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce to preferred consistency.
  12. Plate alongside steamed rice or noodles, garnishing with additional black pepper if preferred.

Notes

  • Enhance crispiness by ensuring chicken pieces are dry before coating with cornstarch, preventing soggy texture.
  • Adjust black pepper intensity according to personal spice tolerance, ranging from mild to bold heat levels.
  • Select dark meat chicken for juicier results, as it maintains moisture better during high-heat cooking compared to white meat.
  • Transform recipe into gluten-free version by substituting regular soy sauce with tamari and checking oyster sauce ingredients.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 1200 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg
Clara Bennett

Clara Bennett

Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists

Education

Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.

Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.

Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography

Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.


Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star