Description
Black pepper chicken brings sizzling flavor right to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum taste. Spicy, tender chicken pieces coated in a bold pepper sauce make this quick weeknight meal a total crowd-pleaser that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
Marinade Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
Sauce and Garnish Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Dice 1 lb of chicken into bite-sized cubes, creating uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Mix chicken with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, and ½ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.
- Let the chicken marinate for exactly 15 minutes at room temperature to absorb flavors deeply.
- Heat a wok to 375°F and add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Cook the marinated chicken for 6 minutes, stirring constantly to achieve golden edges and ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a clean plate, keeping it warm while preparing the sauce.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to the same wok and sauté 1 tablespoon minced garlic and 1 tablespoon grated ginger for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Pour in 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 2 tablespoons water, and 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper.
- Simmer the sauce for 2 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken and develop rich flavors.
- Return chicken to the wok and toss for 2 minutes, ensuring each piece gets completely coated with sauce.
- Plate your chicken over steamed rice and sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for at least 10 minutes to ensure deep flavor absorption and tender meat.
- Use fresh cracked black pepper for the most robust and aromatic taste in the sauce.
- Choose a hot skillet to get a perfect golden sear on chicken cubes without making them tough.
- For a lighter version, swap chicken thighs with lean breast meat and reduce oil by using a non-stick pan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-13 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 185 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg