Black Pepper Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken with bold black pepper flavor and crisp vegetables in savory Asian-style sauce

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ Sauce

04 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
05 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon sugar
07 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
08 - 2 tablespoons water

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

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

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine chicken pieces with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add sliced onion and green bell pepper. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until vegetables are slightly softened but still retain some crunch.
04 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
05 - Return the chicken to the skillet. Pour in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Stir thoroughly to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly with the sauce mixture.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry. Pour into the skillet and stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
07 - Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, approximately 5 more minutes. Ensure sauce has reached desired consistency.
08 - Remove from heat and garnish generously with chopped green onions. Serve immediately over steamed rice for a complete meal.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The heat hits you in the best way possible without overwhelming your palate
  • Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The sauce thickens into this glossy coating that makes restaurant-quality results at home
02 -
  • Crowding the pan while searing chicken will steam it instead of creating that beautiful browning, so work in batches if necessary
  • The cornstarch slurry must be added while the liquid is bubbling or it won't activate properly to thicken your sauce
03 -
  • Use a wok if you have one, but a large cast iron skillet works almost as well for achieving that high-heat sear
  • Letting the chicken marinate longer, even overnight in the refrigerator, makes the pepper flavor penetrate deeper into the meat
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