Black Pepper Chicken is a savory and bold dish featuring tender chicken coated in a rich black pepper sauce. It is stir-fried with vibrant vegetables like bell peppers and onions for added crunch. This quick and easy homemade recipe mimics your favorite takeout, delivering a delicious meal in less than 30 minutes. Perfectly served with steamed rice, this dish is flavorful and satisfying.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Black Pepper Sauce

1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Stir-Fry

3 tablespoons 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

Marinate the Chicken: Cut the chicken into 1/4-1/2 inch strips and pat dry. In a bowl, mix cornstarch, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and black pepper until smooth. Add the chicken and coat well. Marinate for 10-15 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, cornstarch, and black pepper. Set aside.
Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of 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 on each side until browned. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Stir-Fry Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, then sauté garlic and ginger for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Add the bell peppers and onions, stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender.
Simmer and Coat: Pour the prepared black pepper sauce into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.
Serve: Serve the Black Pepper Chicken hot with steamed white rice.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

Calories: 290 kcal
Carbohydrates: 13g
Protein: 26g
Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 90mg
Sodium: 1000mg
Potassium: 350mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 3g

Enjoy this flavorful and savory dish, perfect for busy weeknights! 🍗

What Makes Black Pepper Chicken Special?

This dish stands out because of its balance of flavors. The black pepper sauce is the star, giving the chicken a vibrant and piquant punch. While many stir-fry dishes rely on soy sauce or hoisin sauce, Black Pepper Chicken elevates the flavor profile with the use of freshly ground black pepper, Shaoxing wine, and oyster sauce, adding depth and umami. The bell peppers and onions not only bring color to the dish but also a slight crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken.

The combination of tender chicken, bold sauce, and crisp vegetables makes Black Pepper Chicken an all-around satisfying dish. It’s versatile too, allowing you to swap out the chicken for other proteins, such as beef or tofu, while still maintaining the rich flavors of the black pepper sauce.

History and Origins of Black Pepper Chicken

Black Pepper Chicken is commonly found in Chinese cuisine, particularly in stir-fry dishes that feature bold flavors. Black pepper, though originally native to India, has found its way into many Asian culinary traditions. Chinese stir-fry dishes like this one often incorporate various sauces and seasonings, creating a complex layer of flavors that complement the main ingredients.

In China, the use of Shaoxing wine and oyster sauce is standard in many savory dishes, bringing depth to the sauce while balancing the sharpness of the black pepper. The dish itself has become a popular choice in Chinese-American restaurants, as its bold flavors make it a crowd-pleaser. Though not traditionally found in every region of China, Black Pepper Chicken has nonetheless become beloved worldwide due to its easy preparation and satisfying taste.

The Key Ingredients and Their Role

Each ingredient in Black Pepper Chicken serves a specific purpose, contributing to the overall flavor and texture of the dish.

Chicken: The chicken, typically boneless and skinless thighs or breasts, forms the base of the dish. Thighs offer a juicier texture, while breasts are leaner but still tender when cooked properly. The marination process ensures that the chicken absorbs the sauce, allowing for maximum flavor in every bite.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper is what gives this dish its characteristic heat. Unlike pre-ground pepper, freshly ground pepper has a more intense flavor and aroma that elevates the sauce and the chicken. The pepper’s spice level can be adjusted to suit your personal taste, making it as mild or as fiery as you prefer.
Shaoxing Wine: This traditional Chinese rice wine is used to marinate the chicken and in the sauce, providing a deep, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of complexity. If you can’t find Shaoxing wine, dry sherry is a good substitute, but the distinct taste of Shaoxing wine is a key component in authentic Chinese cooking.
Oyster Sauce: Oyster sauce is a rich, savory sauce made from oyster extracts, sugar, and salt. It adds a deep umami flavor to the black pepper sauce, rounding out the spiciness of the pepper and creating a balanced, savory base.
Bell Peppers and Onions: These vegetables add both color and texture to the dish. The bell peppers offer a natural sweetness that contrasts with the spiciness of the black pepper sauce, while the onions provide a bit of crunch and a mild, aromatic flavor that complements the other ingredients.

How to Make Black Pepper Chicken at Home

Making Black Pepper Chicken at home is easier than you might think. It requires just a few simple steps, but the result is a restaurant-quality dish that will impress anyone at the dinner table. The process starts with marinating the chicken in a flavorful mixture of cornstarch, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and black pepper. This ensures that the chicken is both tender and flavorful.

Next, the black pepper sauce is prepared by combining chicken broth, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, cornstarch, and black pepper. The sauce is simmered until it thickens, creating a glossy, rich texture that clings to the chicken and vegetables.

After stir-frying the chicken to a golden brown, the vegetables are sautéed with garlic and ginger to bring out their natural sweetness. The chicken and sauce are then combined with the vegetables, and the dish is cooked until everything is evenly coated with the sauce.

Nutritional Benefits of Black Pepper Chicken

Not only is Black Pepper Chicken delicious, but it also offers a decent amount of protein, making it a great option for those looking for a high-protein, low-carb meal. The dish is also packed with vegetables, which provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber to make it a balanced meal. With only 290 calories per serving, it’s a relatively light yet filling option for dinner.

Black pepper itself has many health benefits, including promoting digestion and boosting metabolism. The ginger and garlic in the stir-fry provide additional health benefits, from anti-inflammatory properties to supporting immune function. The combination of these ingredients makes Black Pepper Chicken a tasty dish that can also contribute to your overall health and well-being.

Serving Suggestions for Black Pepper Chicken

Black Pepper Chicken is best served with steamed rice, which helps soak up the flavorful sauce and balance out the heat from the black pepper. You could also serve it with noodles for a slightly different take on the dish. For a more substantial meal, consider pairing it with a side of stir-fried vegetables or a light soup to start.

If you’re looking to keep the dish lighter, you could serve it with a side of cauliflower rice or even over a bed of leafy greens for a low-carb alternative. Black Pepper Chicken is versatile, and its bold flavors pair well with a variety of sides to suit your dietary preferences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Black Pepper Chicken is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish that brings together the bold heat of freshly ground black pepper, the savory richness of oyster sauce, and the sweetness of bell peppers and onions. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a dish to impress guests, this recipe delivers on taste and satisfaction. With just a few ingredients and under 30 minutes of cooking time, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home. The dish is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking for a satisfying yet healthy meal.

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