Chinese black pepper chicken recipe that is full of flavor and delicious served over rice or noodles. This Chinese chicken stir fry is easy, simple, and quick to make. Flavorful, tender chicken and vegetables coated in umami sauce that cooks in just 15 minutes. Let me show you how to make black pepper chicken stir fry that is better than takeout.
This black pepper chicken makes a great weeknight dinner, brunch, fakeaway Friday night meal, or anytime you want a quick meal that is tasty and full of flavor. It is cooked in less than 20 minutes and this recipe is super simple and straightforward.
When we go out for Chinese buffet, black pepper chicken stir fry, salt and pepper chicken, and chicken in black bean sauce are some of the chicken dishes I like to put on my plate so it's only normal I have the homemade recipes to be able to make them at home and also share with you all how I make them from scratch.
This black pepper chicken recipe is one of my go-to stir fries when I want a simple, tasty, and satisfying Chinese stir fry that I can serve over white rice. It's also great on fried rice, noodles, or pasta.
Black Pepper Chicken Recipe
- For this classic black pepper chicken recipe, I like to use skinless boneless chicken thighs because it is more flavorful than chicken breast however chicken breasts work great too.
- This recipe is better than takeout, it's cheaper to make at home than restaurant bought. You don't have to go to panda express before you can eat this delicious chicken dish.
- You control the salt and can make it freshly in a quick time. In less than 30 minutes you can get dinner on the table.
- You can substitute the chicken with beef, shrimp, or tofu but the cooking time will vary.
Black Pepper Chicken Ingredients
Chicken - Boneless and skinless chicken thighs or breasts.
Soy sauce - Dark soy sauce or you can do half dark and half light soy sauce.
Oyster sauce
Sugar - Brown or white sugar.
Black pepper - Freshly ground to cook and also to sprinkle on the served dish.
Bell pepper - I use red bell pepper and I like to cut them into cubes.
Garlic
Onion - I like to use brown onion but you can use yellow or red Onion.
Oil - Vegetable or Sunflower oil
Sesame oil - Gives the stir fry a Classic Chinese stir fry taste.
Cornflour - Also known as cornstarch. This is to thicken the sauce.
What else can I add in my Black pepper chicken?
Celery
Carrots
Snap peas
How to Make Black Pepper Chicken
Cut the chicken into bite-size (about 1-2 inch cube), add half of the black pepper, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, mix and set aside to marinate while you prep the other ingredients.
Cut the bell pepper, onion, and Spring onions. I like to cube the bell pepper and onion but you can slice if you prefer.
Make the sauce - In a bowl, add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, chicken stock or rice wine vinegar, corn starch, sugar, black pepper. Stir and set aside.
Place wok on medium heat, add vegetable oil and when heated, add the marinated chicken.
Saute and stir fry till chicken is cooked through. When the chicken is cooked, add the onions, minced garlic. Add the bell pepper and spring onions and stir fry for 3 minutes.
Stir the sauce and add it into the wok then stir till it thickens and coat the chicken and vegetables.
Take off heat and serve immediately.
What to serve with
This is best paired with rice like long grain rice and jasmine rice. Other sides it pairs well with are
Pasta
How to Store
If you have leftovers, pack in an airtight container or Ziploc, label, and store in the fridge where it'll last for up to 3 days. If you need it to last longer, it's best to store in the freezer where it'll last up to 3 months.
To reheat, defrost first by putting in the fridge to thaw then warm on the stove or microwave. You might need to sprinkle with a bit of water to avoid it drying out when reheating.
Tips
- Cut vegetables into similar sizes so they cook evenly and also it makes the stir fry look more appealing.
- Don't overcook the vegetables.
- If you have the time, marinate the chicken 30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Adjust the quantity of black pepper to suit how spicy you want it.
- It’s best served immediately.
More Chinese Recipes You will love
Instant pot Chicken and Broccoli
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Chinese Black Pepper Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Wok
Ingredients
- 500 g (1lb) Chicken Thighs or Breasts
- 1 Medium Bell pepper Cubed
- 2 stalks Celery Optional Cubed
- 2 stalks Spring Onions Cut
- 1 medium Onion Cubed
- 1 tablespoon Garlic minced
- ¼ cup Soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce
- ¼ cup Chicken stock or rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Black pepper halved
- 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
- ½ tablespoon Sugar White or Brown
- 2 tablespoon Cornflour Cornstarch
- 1.5 tablespoon Oil Vegetable or Sunflower
- Salt
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into bite-size (about 1-2 inch cube), add half of the black pepper, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, salt, mix and set aside to marinate while you prep the other ingredients.
- Cut the bell pepper, onion, and Spring onions. I like to cube the bell pepper and onion but you can slice if you prefer. Make the sauce - In a bowl, add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, chicken stock or rice wine vinegar, corn starch, sugar, black pepper. Stir and set aside.
- Place wok on medium heat, add vegetable oil and when heated, add the marinated chicken. Saute and stir fry till chicken is cooked through.
- When the chicken is cooked, add the onions, minced garlic. Add the bell pepper and spring onions and stir fry for 3 minutes.
- Stir the sauce and add it into the wok then stir till it thickens and coat the chicken and vegetables.
- Take off heat and serve immediately. Sprinkle with black pepper )Optional)
Notes
- Cut vegetables into similar sizes so they cook evenly and also it makes the stir fry look more appealing.
- Don't overcook the vegetables.
- If you have the time, marinate the chicken 30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Adjust black pepper to suit how spicy you want it.
- It’s best served hot
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