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–+ servings

Black Pepper Chicken

A quick, flavorful, and satisfying stir-fry featuring juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, and a bold black pepper sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dinner, lunch
Cuisine asian, Chinese
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Wok or large skillet
  • Cutting board & knife
  • Small mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:

  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon oil

For the Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce for color, optional
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper or more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper optional
  • ¼ cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water, for thickening

For the Stir-Fry:

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • ½ onion sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger minced
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper extra, for finishing
  • 2 green onions chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
  • In a bowl, mix chicken pieces with soy sauce, cornstarch, and black pepper.
  • Let it marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare the sauce and vegetables.
  • Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
  • In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, black pepper, white pepper, and chicken broth.
  • Stir in the cornstarch slurry and set aside.
  • Step 3: Stir-Fry the Chicken
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or skillet over high heat.
  • Add marinated chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned.
  • Remove chicken and set aside.
  • Step 4: Cook the Vegetables
  • In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon oil, then stir-fry onion, bell peppers, garlic, and ginger for 2-3 minutes.
  • Return the chicken to the pan.
  • Step 5: Add the Sauce & Finish
  • Pour in the black pepper sauce and stir well.
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
  • Sprinkle with extra black pepper and garnish with chopped green onions.
  • Serving Suggestions:
  • ✅ Serve over steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or fried rice.
  • ✅ Pair with stir-fried vegetables or a simple cucumber salad.
  • ✅ Enjoy with noodles for a fun variation!
  • Pro Tips:
  • ✔ Use freshly ground black pepper for the best bold flavor.
  • ✔ Marinate the chicken for extra tenderness.
  • ✔ Stir-fry on high heat for that signature restaurant-style texture.

Notes

Notes:

  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: Reheat in a pan over medium heat with a splash of water.
Keyword black pepper chicken, chinese chicken, easy dinner, stir-fry
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