Description
Black Pepper Chicken is a bold and flavorful dish combining tender chicken pieces with freshly ground black pepper and savory seasonings. Quick and easy to prepare, it offers a spicy, aromatic profile that suits busy weeknights and special occasions alike. This versatile recipe can be served as a main course with rice or noodles, or used in wraps, making it a crowd-pleaser full of heat and umami.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Sauce
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp water or chicken stock
Aromatics and Vegetables
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (optional)
- 2 spring onions, chopped (for garnish)
Others
- 2 tbsp vegetable or sesame oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized, roughly one-inch cubes. Lightly coat the pieces with cornstarch to lock in moisture and create a slight crispiness when stir-fried. Set aside.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, sugar or honey, freshly ground black pepper, and water or chicken stock. Stir well to create a balanced, flavorful sauce mixture.
- Stir-Fry Aromatics: Heat oil in a wok or large pan over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced onions. Cook until fragrant and onions turn translucent, forming the savory base of the dish.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the prepared chicken pieces to the pan. Stir-fry for 6 to 8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown with caramelized edges and cooked through, maintaining juicy tenderness inside.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken. Add sliced bell peppers if using. Stir and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the vegetables become tender-crisp, allowing all flavors to meld beautifully.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped spring onions and an extra grind of black pepper over the dish. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Grind fresh black pepper for the best aroma and intensity.
- Use chicken thighs for more moist and tender results, but breasts are fine if trimmed and not overcooked.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure proper browning; cook chicken in batches if necessary.
- If the sauce is too thin, thicken it with a cornstarch slurry made from cornstarch and water.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper gradually to fit your preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Black Pepper Chicken, Spicy Chicken, Stir-Fry Chicken, Easy Chicken Recipe, Asian Chicken Dish, Gluten Free Chicken