Black Pepper Chicken: A Spicy and Savory Delight
A bold and savory chicken stir-fry with freshlyground black pepper and a flavorful sauce, perfect with rice or noodles.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese-inspired
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs approx. 3–4 thighs
- ½ white onion or any type of onion
- 2 stalks green onions cut into 2-inch pieces
- ½ red pepper or substitute with celery for a Panda Express copycat version
- 4 –5 slices ginger
- 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
Chicken Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon oyster sauce
- ½ tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oil mix in right before stir frying
Black Pepper Sauce:
- 1½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce or regular soy sauce
- 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper add ½ teaspoon more for extra spice
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- 1 cup water
Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine all marinade ingredients except the oil. Add the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Cover and marinate for 15–20 minutes. Mix in the oil just before cooking.
Make the Black Pepper Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix all sauce ingredients until the cornstarch dissolves completely. Set aside.
Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a bit of oil and stir-fry the chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add more oil if needed. Stir-fry the onion, ginger, and garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the red pepper (or celery) and stir-fry for another 2 minutes.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet and pour in the prepared black pepper sauce. Stir well to coat all ingredients evenly. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Finish with Green Onions: Toss in the green onion pieces and cook for another minute. Adjust the seasoning by adding extra black pepper if needed.
Serve: Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
Keyword Black pepper chicken