Description
Spicy and aromatic black pepper chicken elevates weeknight dinners with bold Asian-inspired flavors. Crispy, tender chicken pieces glazed in a rich pepper sauce promise a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) chicken breasts or thighs, sliced 1/4-inch thick
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 white onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by blending soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch in a mixing bowl, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Allow chicken to rest and absorb flavors for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
- Create sauce by whisking together chicken broth, dark and light soy sauces, rice wine, cornstarch, sugar, freshly ground black pepper, and salt until smooth and well-integrated.
- Heat cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Quickly sear marinated chicken pieces for approximately 30 seconds on each side, developing a light golden-brown exterior. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, add minced ginger, crushed garlic, sliced onions, and bell peppers. Rapidly stir-fry for 20 seconds, maintaining vibrant colors and crisp texture.
- Pour prepared sauce into the skillet, stirring continuously until mixture thickens and becomes glossy, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Return seared chicken to the skillet, gently tossing to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the aromatic sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to reheat chicken and meld flavors.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or your preferred side dish.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by marinating chicken longer, up to 2 hours, for deeper seasoning penetration.
- Adjust black pepper quantity based on heat preference, starting with less and gradually increasing.
- Use high-heat cooking oil like avocado or grapeseed for better searing and crispy chicken texture.
- Substitute protein options like tofu or tempeh for vegetarian version, maintaining identical cooking technique.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 915 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg