Description
Black Pepper Chicken is a flavorful Chinese-inspired stir-fry dish featuring tender marinated chicken thighs cooked with crisp bell peppers, onions, and a savory black pepper oyster sauce. This quick and satisfying meal is perfect for a family dinner and serves beautifully over steamed rice, garnished with fresh cilantro or green onions for an extra burst of freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Stir-Fry
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
To Serve
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Fresh cilantro or green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated. Let the chicken marinate for 10-15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is browned on the outside and cooked through inside. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside to keep warm.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Toss in the chopped red and green bell peppers, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Stir-fry these vegetables for 3-4 minutes until they are slightly tender but still maintain a crisp texture.
- Make the Sauce and Combine: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the vegetables. Sprinkle in the freshly ground black pepper, and add oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and chicken broth or water. Stir everything well to combine. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the chicken and vegetables.
- Serve: Serve the flavorful Black Pepper Chicken hot over cooked rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro or chopped green onions for an added pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken helps keep it tender and infuses it with flavor.
- Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor impact.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper to your taste preference for more or less spiciness.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, and ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free.
- Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
