Black Pepper Chicken Recipe
If you love a dish that packs a punch of flavor and brings a cozy, savory warmth to your table, then this Black Pepper Chicken recipe is going to be one of your new favorites. Juicy chicken strips marinated and stir-fried to perfection mingle with vibrant bell peppers and onions, all wrapped in a luscious, peppery sauce that balances heat and umami beautifully. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or impressing guests, Black Pepper Chicken delivers that crave-worthy comfort with a restaurant-quality feel, right at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but essential, each adding its own touch of flavor, texture, and color, making this dish both simple to prepare and incredibly tasty.
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Thin strips cook quickly and soak up the marinade perfectly.
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil: Ideal for high-heat stir-frying and creating a crisp exterior on the chicken.
- 1 medium onion, sliced: Adds mellow sweetness and a satisfying crunch.
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced: Brings vibrant color and a slightly sweet flavor contrast.
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced: Offers fresh, crisp texture and subtle bitterness.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Packs an aromatic, savory punch that elevates every bite.
- 1 inch ginger, grated: Lends a warm, zesty undertone that pairs beautifully with black pepper.
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce: Adds salty depth and umami richness to the marinade and sauce.
- 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper: The star flavor that delivers a bold, peppery kick.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to the perfect glossy consistency.
- 1 tablespoon water: Helps create the smooth cornstarch slurry for saucing the dish.
- 1 tablespoon sugar: Balances the savory and spicy elements with a touch of sweetness.
- Salt to taste: Enhances all the flavors in the dish.
- Chopped green onions for garnish: Adds freshness and a burst of color when serving.
How to Make Black Pepper Chicken
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by slicing the chicken breasts into thin strips and cutting the onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper into similar-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger to ensure their flavors distribute evenly throughout the dish. Getting everything prepped before you cook speeds up the process and makes stir-frying so much easier.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken strips with soy sauce, freshly ground black pepper, and salt. Let the chicken soak in this flavorful marinade for about 10 minutes. This step is crucial—it allows the meat to absorb that signature Black Pepper Chicken flavor, tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with peppery goodness.
Step 3: Mix the Thickening Slurry
In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch, water, and sugar until smooth. This mixture will thicken the sauce later on, giving Black Pepper Chicken that inviting, glossy finish that clings to each bite of chicken and vegetables. Setting this aside now will make the final stage of cooking seamless.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer to ensure it sears evenly. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the chicken strips brown slightly and are cooked through. Once done, remove them from the pan and set aside to keep warm.
Step 5: Sauté the Vegetables and Aromatics
Using the same pan, toss in the onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Stir-fry for about 2 to 3 minutes until they soften just enough to release their natural sweetness but still maintain a slight crunch. Then add the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for an additional minute until their fragrant aromas fill the kitchen. These aromatics are the secret to the depth of flavor in Black Pepper Chicken.
Step 6: Combine Everything and Thicken the Sauce
Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables, pour in the cornstarch slurry, and stir everything vigorously. In just 1 to 2 minutes, you’ll notice the sauce thickening and coating every piece gloriously. At this point, taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or black pepper if you want to bump up the intensity. This final combination is what makes Black Pepper Chicken irresistibly flavorful.
How to Serve Black Pepper Chicken
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped green onions provides a fresh, crisp contrast that brightens the dish visually and taste-wise. Feel free to add a few sesame seeds for extra texture or even a drizzle of toasted sesame oil for a nutty hint that complements the peppery sauce.
Side Dishes
Black Pepper Chicken pairs beautifully with simple steamed jasmine or basmati rice, which soaks up the flavorful sauce perfectly. For a more vibrant meal, consider serving it alongside garlic fried rice, or toss some stir-fried greens like bok choy or Chinese broccoli for a balanced dinner plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For entertaining, serve Black Pepper Chicken in small lettuce cups for a fun, hand-held option. Another idea is plating it over a bed of cauliflower rice for a lower-carb alternative. You can also mix in cooked noodles and stir-fry briefly for a pepper-infused noodle dish that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers of Black Pepper Chicken should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or dinners during the week. The flavors actually deepen slightly, so it tastes even better the next day.
Freezing
This dish can be frozen, though the texture of the vegetables might soften after thawing. Place cooled Black Pepper Chicken in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible. It will maintain quality for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat, warm Black Pepper Chicken in a skillet over medium heat just until heated through to keep the sauce velvety and the chicken tender. Avoid microwaving for best texture, but if pressed for time, use short bursts and stir frequently to prevent drying out.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs offer a juicier, more forgiving option that keeps the meat tender and full of flavor. Just slice them similarly and adjust cooking time slightly if needed.
How spicy is Black Pepper Chicken?
The spice primarily comes from freshly ground black pepper, which gives a warm, pungent kick rather than a fiery heat. You can adjust the amount of black pepper to suit your tolerance.
Is this dish gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative. The other ingredients in the recipe are naturally gluten-free.
Can I prepare this recipe without a wok?
Yes, a large skillet or frying pan works just as well. The key is cooking over medium-high heat to get that perfect sear and quick stir-fry.
What’s the best way to grind black pepper fresh?
Using a pepper mill or a mortar and pestle yields the freshest, most aromatic black pepper. Grinding it just before cooking intensifies the flavor significantly compared to pre-ground pepper.
Final Thoughts
Black Pepper Chicken is truly a gem of a dish that combines bold flavors with simple, fresh ingredients. It’s easy to prepare, satisfying, and endlessly adaptable to your kitchen style. I promise once you try this recipe, it will become a staple you reach for again and again whenever you want a comforting and flavorful meal. Give it a go—you won’t regret it!
Print
Black Pepper Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
A flavorful and spicy Black Pepper Chicken stir-fry made with tender chicken breast strips, colorful bell peppers, and a savory black pepper soy sauce. This quick and easy dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner and garnished with fresh green onions for an added touch.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated
Sauce Thickener
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Garnish
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Slice the chicken breasts, onions, and bell peppers, and mince the garlic and grate the ginger to have all ingredients ready for cooking.
- Marinate Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced chicken with soy sauce, freshly ground black pepper, and salt. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Make Sauce Slurry: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water and sugar to form a slurry which will help thicken the sauce later in the cooking process.
- Heat Oil: Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat to prepare for stir-frying.
- Cook Chicken: Add the marinated chicken to the hot pan, spreading it out in a single layer. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables: In the same pan, add the sliced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften but remain crisp.
- Add Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the vegetables and stir-fry for another minute until fragrant, enhancing the dish’s aroma.
- Combine and Thicken: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and pour in the cornstarch slurry. Stir everything together until well combined and the sauce thickens, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish and add more salt or black pepper if desired to perfectly balance the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the dish as a fresh garnish before serving hot.
Notes
- Adjust black pepper quantity to increase or decrease heat according to your preference.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free soy sauce.
- You can substitute bell peppers with other colorful vegetables like snap peas or carrots.
- Marinating the chicken longer than 10 minutes can deepen flavors but is not necessary.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Black Pepper Chicken, Stir-fry Chicken, Spicy Chicken, Asian Chicken Recipe, Quick Dinner Recipe
