Black Pepper Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken with crunchy peppers in a bold, savory black pepper sauce. Quick 30-minute Asian-inspired dinner perfect for busy weeknights.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
03 - Salt to taste

→ Sauce

04 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
05 - 1 tbsp oyster sauce
06 - 1 tsp sugar
07 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
08 - 2 tbsp water

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

09 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
10 - 1 large onion, sliced
11 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
12 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
13 - Green onions, chopped for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Combine chicken pieces with freshly ground black pepper and salt in a bowl. Let marinate for 15 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and stir-fry until browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
03 - Add sliced onion and green bell pepper to the same skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
04 - Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
05 - Return chicken to the skillet. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Stir well to coat chicken and vegetables evenly.
06 - Mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Pour into the skillet and stir continuously until sauce thickens.
07 - Adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Cook until chicken is fully cooked and tender, about 5 more minutes.
08 - Garnish with chopped green onions just before serving over steamed rice.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
  • Freshly ground black pepper makes all the difference between good and unforgettable
02 -
  • Overcrowding the pan is the enemy of good searing, work in batches if your wok is on the smaller side
  • The sauce thickens incredibly fast once the cornstarch hits the heat, so have your spoon ready and keep it moving
03 -
  • Let your wok or skillet get properly hot before adding any ingredients, that's how you get the best flavor development
  • Grind your black pepper fresh and generous, this dish is called black pepper chicken for a reason
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