There’s something magical about a cozy, flavorful meal like Black Pepper Chicken. This dish is a go-to favorite in my kitchen, thanks to its bold flavors and the perfect balance of spice and savoriness.
The earthy kick of freshly ground black pepper mingles beautifully with the tender chicken and the hint of sweetness in the sauce, creating a dish that’s both comforting and exciting.
Whether it’s for a quick weeknight dinner or a special weekend meal, Black Pepper Chicken is sure to become a staple in your household, bringing everyone to the table with its irresistible aroma.
Servings, Preparation, and Cooking Time
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
Chicken & Marinade
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breasts, sliced into thick pieces
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dry sherry
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp dry sherry
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp salt
Stir-Fry
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 white onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers, chopped (any color you prefer)
How to Make Black Pepper Chicken
- Marinate the Chicken
In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced chicken breast with soy sauce, dry sherry, and cornstarch. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly and set it aside to marinate for about 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. - Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, dry sherry, cornstarch, sugar, coarsely ground black pepper, and salt. Stir until the cornstarch and sugar are fully dissolved. Set the sauce aside for later. - Stir-Fry the Aromatics
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add oil, then toss in the minced ginger and garlic, sautéing until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add the chopped onion and bell peppers, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until they soften slightly but retain their crunch. - Cook the Chicken
Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and add the marinated chicken pieces to the other side. Let the chicken cook undisturbed for about 1-2 minutes to get a nice sear, then stir everything together, mixing the chicken with the veggies. - Add the Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stirring well to coat everything. The sauce will begin to thicken as it heats, turning glossy and fragrant. Stir-fry for another 3-5 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking. - Serve
Transfer the Black Pepper Chicken to a serving dish, and garnish with a sprinkle of extra black pepper if you like an extra kick. Enjoy it over a bed of rice or noodles for a complete meal!
Tips and Notes
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you like a spicier kick, increase the black pepper by another teaspoon or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like snap peas, carrots, or broccoli for more texture and color.
- Serving Suggestions: Black Pepper Chicken pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, or even over noodles for a heartier meal.
- Make It Ahead: You can marinate the chicken up to a day in advance to deepen the flavors. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator.
Why You’ll Love This Black Pepper Chicken
With its bold, peppery sauce and tender, juicy chicken, this Black Pepper Chicken is bound to become a favorite. It’s a dish that satisfies every craving for something savory, a little spicy, and utterly comforting.
Try it out, and don’t forget to share your variations on social media.
Black Pepper Chicken Recipe
This Black Pepper Chicken recipe is a bold, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken in a peppery, slightly sweet sauce. Perfect for weeknights or special occasions, it’s an easy recipe that delivers a delicious kick with every bite. Serve it with rice or noodles for a comforting meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Chicken & Marinade
- 1 lb chicken breasts, sliced into thick pieces
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dry sherry
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp dry sherry
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp salt
Stir-Fry
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 white onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers, chopped (any color you prefer)
Instructions
- Marinate the ChickenIn a mixing bowl, combine the sliced chicken breast with soy sauce, dry sherry, and cornstarch. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly and set it aside to marinate for about 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Prepare the SauceIn a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, dry sherry, cornstarch, sugar, coarsely ground black pepper, and salt. Stir until the cornstarch and sugar are fully dissolved. Set the sauce aside for later.
- Stir-Fry the AromaticsHeat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add oil, then toss in the minced ginger and garlic, sautéing until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add the chopped onion and bell peppers, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until they soften slightly but retain their crunch.
- Cook the ChickenPush the vegetables to one side of the pan and add the marinated chicken pieces to the other side. Let the chicken cook undisturbed for about 1-2 minutes to get a nice sear, then stir everything together, mixing the chicken with the veggies.
- Add the SaucePour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stirring well to coat everything. The sauce will begin to thicken as it heats, turning glossy and fragrant. Stir-fry for another 3-5 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- ServeTransfer the Black Pepper Chicken to a serving dish, and garnish with a sprinkle of extra black pepper if you like an extra kick. Enjoy it over a bed of rice or noodles for a complete meal!
Notes
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you like a spicier kick, increase the black pepper by another teaspoon or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like snap peas, carrots, or broccoli for more texture and color.
- Serving Suggestions: Black Pepper Chicken pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, or even over noodles for a heartier meal.
- Make It Ahead: You can marinate the chicken up to a day in advance to deepen the flavors. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 324Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 97mgSodium 999mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 1gSugar 7gProtein 37g