Description
A flavorful and aromatic stir-fry, Black Pepper Chicken brings together tender chicken, crispy bell peppers, and a savory black pepper sauce that will leave your taste buds tingling! This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner, packing bold flavors with a subtle hint of sweetness and spice.
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs (sliced against the grain into 1/4-inch thick pieces)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
- 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For Stir-Frying:
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil (divided)
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 white onion (chopped)
- 2 bell peppers (chopped)
Instructions
-
Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, combine the chicken slices, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch. Gently mix until the chicken is evenly coated. Marinate for 10-15 minutes. -
Prepare the Sauce:
In a separate bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients—chicken broth, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar, black pepper, and salt. Mix well and set aside. -
Sear the Chicken:
Heat 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and spread it out into a single layer. Sear for 30 seconds, then flip and cook for another 15-20 seconds until browned. Transfer the chicken to a plate. -
Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to the skillet. Add minced ginger and garlic, stirring until fragrant. Add the chopped onion and bell peppers, stir-fry for about 20 seconds. -
Combine the Sauce and Chicken:
Stir the sauce to ensure the cornstarch has dissolved, then pour it into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir and cook until the sauce thickens. Add the chicken back into the skillet and stir to coat the chicken with the sauce. Turn off the heat. -
Serve:
Serve the Black Pepper Chicken hot, with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Shaoxing Wine: If you can’t find Shaoxing wine, dry sherry can be used as a substitute.
- Sugar Adjustment: You can adjust the sugar to suit your sweetness preference. If you like a more savory taste, reduce it by a tablespoon.
- Vegetable Options: Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots, snow peas, or mushrooms for more variety.
- Spice Level: If you want to make the dish spicier, add some chopped fresh chili or increase the amount of black pepper to your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus marination time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-inspired
Keywords: Black Pepper Chicken, Stir-fry Chicken, Chinese Chicken Recipes, Black Pepper Stir-fry, Easy Chicken Stir-fry, Shaoxing Wine Chicken, Quick Chicken Dinner, Healthy Stir-fry