Description
A flavorful and quick Black Pepper Chicken stir-fry featuring tender chicken breast coated in a savory black pepper sauce with vibrant bell peppers, onions, and aromatic garlic and ginger. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal served over steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 500 g boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken cubes with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and stir-fry until they turn golden brown and are cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Stir-fry the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers, stir-frying for about 4-5 minutes or until they start to soften but remain crisp.
- Add garlic and ginger: Add the minced garlic and ginger to the skillet with the vegetables, stirring continuously for about 30 seconds or until you can smell their fragrant aroma.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the rice vinegar, water, and sugar. Stir everything together thoroughly so the chicken gets evenly coated with the sauce and heats through for a couple more minutes.
- Season to taste: Adjust the seasoning by adding salt and more freshly ground black pepper as desired to enhance the flavor.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve the Black Pepper Chicken hot with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add additional freshly ground black pepper or a pinch of chili flakes.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce alternatives.
- You can substitute chicken breast with thigh meat for a juicier texture.
- Ensure the skillet or wok is hot before adding ingredients to get a proper sear on the chicken and vegetables.
- Feel free to add other vegetables such as snap peas, carrots, or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor.
