How do you make black pepper chicken at home?

Making black pepper chicken at home involves marinating sliced chicken with cornstarch, water, oil, oyster sauce, and black pepper, then stir-frying it until nearly cooked. Next, stir-fry aromatics and vegetables, add a sauce made with chicken stock, soy sauce, and oyster sauce, then thicken with cornstarch slurry. Finally, return the chicken to the wok, toss everything together until well-coated, and serve with rice. The entire process takes about 30 minutes, with most of that time spent on preparation rather than cooking.

What sauce is used in black pepper chicken?

The sauce in black pepper chicken combines chicken stock, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. This mixture creates a balanced sauce with savory, slightly sweet notes that complement the black pepper's heat. The sauce is thickened with cornstarch to create a glossy consistency that clings to the chicken and vegetables. Unlike many other Chinese-American dishes, black pepper chicken sauce doesn't typically contain hoisin sauce or rice vinegar, focusing instead on a cleaner flavor profile that highlights the black pepper.

What kind of chicken is best for black pepper chicken?

Both boneless, skinless chicken breast and thigh meat work well for black pepper chicken. Chicken breast is leaner and has a milder flavor, while thigh meat is juicier and more flavorful. Regardless of which cut you choose, the key is to slice the chicken thinly against the grain and marinate it properly to ensure tenderness. For the most economical option, consider buying whole chicken breasts or thighs and slicing them yourself rather than purchasing pre-cut chicken strips, which typically cost more per pound.

How spicy is black pepper chicken?

Black pepper chicken has a moderate heat level that comes from freshly ground black pepper rather than chili peppers. The dish offers a warm, aromatic spiciness rather than the sharp heat found in dishes that use chili oil or pepper flakes. You can easily adjust the spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of black pepper in both the marinade and the stir-fry. For those who enjoy extra heat, adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes during cooking will introduce a different dimension of spiciness while maintaining the dish's essential black pepper character.

What vegetables go well in black pepper chicken?

Traditional black pepper chicken includes onions, bell peppers, and celery, but many vegetables work well in this versatile dish. Mushrooms, snap peas, carrots, broccoli, baby corn, and water chestnuts are all excellent additions. The key is to cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly and to add them to the wok in order of cooking time, with firmer vegetables going in first. For the best texture, vegetables should remain crisp-tender rather than soft, providing contrast to the tender chicken.

Can you make black pepper chicken without soy sauce?

Yes, black pepper chicken can be made without soy sauce by using alternatives that provide similar umami flavor. Coconut aminos make an excellent soy-free substitute, offering a similar flavor profile with slightly less saltiness. Tamari can be used for a gluten-free option if gluten is the concern rather than soy itself. For those avoiding both soy and gluten, a combination of beef or chicken broth, additional oyster sauce (or fish sauce), and a pinch of salt can approximate the flavor contribution of soy sauce. These substitutions will alter the flavor profile slightly but still result in a delicious version of black pepper chicken.

Best Black Pepper Chicken: Easy Restaurant-Style Recipe

Black Pepper Chicken

Print Recipe

Tender chicken pieces with bell peppers and onions in a savory black pepper sauce that rivals your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Author: Chef Rina
Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 15
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:

12 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast (or thighs)
3 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon neutral oil (such as vegetable, canola, or avocado oil)
2 teaspoons oyster sauce
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

For the rest of the dish:

1/2 cup low sodium chicken stock
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons neutral oil (divided)
2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1 medium onion (cut into wedges)
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
1/2 bell pepper (any color, cut into 1-inch/2.5cm pieces)
1 stalk celery (thinly sliced on an angle)
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water to form a cornstarch slurry)

Instructions

Slice chicken into thin strips and combine with water, cornstarch, oil, oyster sauce, and black pepper in a bowl. Massage marinade into chicken until absorbed and set aside for 10 minutes.
Mix chicken stock, oyster sauce, soy sauces, sugar, and sesame oil in a bowl to create the sauce.
Heat wok over high heat until smoking. Add 2 tablespoons oil, then add chicken in a single layer. Sear until mostly cooked (2 minutes), then remove and set aside.
Return wok to medium heat. Add remaining oil, garlic, and onion. Stir-fry for 20 seconds, then add Shaoxing wine around the perimeter.
Add bell pepper, celery, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Stir-fry for 30 seconds.
Pour in sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Stir in cornstarch slurry until sauce thickens.
Return chicken and juices to the wok. Stir-fry until chicken is fully cooked and coated in sauce.
Serve hot with steamed rice.

Notes

For a spicier dish, increase the amount of black pepper. You can customize this recipe with your favorite vegetables. Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4
Calories: 285 Kcal
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: black pepper chicken, Chinese stir fry, pepper chicken recipe, homemade Chinese food

Find it online: https://www.joyliciousrecipes.com/black-pepper-chicken-mushrooms/