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
Ingredients For Black Pepper Chicken
For the Protein:For the Marinade:For the Vegetables:For the Sauce and Seasoning:For the Cooking and Finishing:Optional Serving:How To Make Black Pepper Chicken
Step 1: Whip Up the Marinade
Grab a mixing bowl and combine the flavor-packed marinade ingredients: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: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: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
Flavor Twists For Black Pepper Chicken
Best Pairings For Black Pepper Chicken
Storing Black Pepper Chicken Properly
FAQs
Cornstarch creates a crispy exterior by forming a protective layer that seals in moisture and helps achieve a golden-brown color when stir-frying.
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.
Marinating is optional but recommended as it helps tenderize the meat and adds deeper flavor to the chicken before cooking.
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.
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Black Pepper Chicken Recipe
- 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
- 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)
- 2–3 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
- Prepare a zesty marinade by blending soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and white pepper in a mixing container.
- Immerse chicken pieces into the marinade, allowing flavors to penetrate for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
- Drain excess marinade and generously coat chicken with additional cornstarch, ensuring an even, crispy exterior.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet to medium-high temperature (around 375°F), creating a shimmering surface.
- Carefully introduce marinated chicken into hot oil, stir-frying for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and thoroughly cooked through.
- Transfer chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its crisp texture.
- 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.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken to the vegetable mixture, generously sprinkling freshly ground black pepper for robust flavor.
- Create a savory sauce by whisking together soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and chicken broth.
- Pour sauce over chicken and vegetables, allowing ingredients to simmer and meld for 2-3 minutes.
- If desired, incorporate a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce to preferred consistency.
- 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
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.