Description
Black Pepper Chicken is a quick, savory stir-fry bursting with bold flavor. Tender chunks of chicken are seared and tossed with crisp bell peppers and onions in a rich, peppery sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and freshly cracked black pepper. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish that’s faster than takeout and perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
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1 lb (450g) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
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1½ tbsp cornstarch
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1 tbsp soy sauce (for marinating)
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2 tbsp vegetable oil (divided)
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1 bell pepper, sliced
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½ onion, sliced
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2–3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tsp grated ginger (optional)
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2 green onions, chopped (optional garnish)
For the Sauce:
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3 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp oyster sauce
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1 tsp sugar
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1 tsp rice vinegar or Chinese cooking wine
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1½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper (or to taste)
Optional Toppings:
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Extra black pepper
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Sesame seeds
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Red pepper flakes (for heat)
Instructions
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Prep the Chicken:
In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with cornstarch, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and a pinch of salt. Set aside to marinate while prepping the other ingredients. -
Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, vinegar, and black pepper. Set aside. -
Sauté Aromatics:
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. -
Cook Chicken:
Add chicken to the pan in a single layer. Stir-fry until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside. -
Stir-Fry Vegetables:
Add remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry bell pepper and onion for 2–3 minutes until just tender-crisp. -
Combine:
Return chicken to the pan. Pour in the sauce and toss everything together. Cook for 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
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Serve:
Garnish with green onions and extra black pepper if desired. Serve hot over rice or noodles
Notes
Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness.
Adjust the amount of pepper to your spice tolerance.
Great for meal prep—store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Add roasted cashews or peanuts for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Keywords: Black Pepper Chicken, Stir-Fry Chicken, Takeout Fakeout, Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry