Black Pepper Chicken
Black pepper chicken has an intense sauce seasoned with ginger, fish sauce, chili garlic sauce and plenty of black pepper. Serve it plenty of rice.
Black Pepper Chicken is a bold, savory stir-fry that delivers big flavor with simple ingredients. Tender pieces of chicken are tossed in a rich, peppery sauce. Cooked quickly with crisp vegetables, creating a dish that’s both satisfying and packed with aromatic spice. Inspired by classic Chinese takeout favorites, this recipe brings restaurant-style flavor right into your home kitchen.
The key to this dish is freshly cracked black pepper. Unlike ground pepper that fades into the background, coarse black pepper provides a warm, slightly spicy bite. When combined with garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of savory sauce, the pepper transforms into a bold, fragrant base that coats every piece of chicken beautifully.
Chicken breast or thigh meat works well for this recipe because it cooks quickly and absorbs the sauce easily. Thinly slicing the chicken helps it cook evenly and stay tender during the fast stir-frying process. As the chicken sears in a hot pan or wok, it develops light caramelization that adds depth and enhances the overall flavor.
Crisp vegetables bring color and balance to the dish. Bell peppers and onions are common additions, offering sweetness and crunch that contrast nicely with the peppery sauce. The vegetables cook just long enough to soften slightly while still maintaining their vibrant texture, keeping the dish fresh and lively.
The sauce is simple yet incredibly flavorful. Soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and freshly cracked black pepper combine to create a glossy coating that clings to the chicken and vegetables. A small amount of cornstarch helps thicken the sauce, giving it that familiar takeout-style consistency.
Black Pepper Chicken pairs perfectly with steamed white rice or fried rice, allowing the sauce to soak into every grain. It’s a quick, satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Savory, peppery, and full of texture, Black Pepper Chicken proves that simple stir-fry ingredients can create bold, unforgettable flavor in every bite.
Black Pepper Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 shallots
- 1 tsp ginger-fresh grated
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breast-boneless and skinless
- ¼ cilantro-chopped
Instructions
- Slice shallots thin. Set aside. In a 12" skillet heat oil on medium high heat. Add shallots and ginger, cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, chili garlic sauce, and pepper and bring to a simmer. Stir to dissolve sugar. Cook until thick and syrupy, about 5 minutes.
- Cut chicken into 3/4" pieces and add to skillet with sauce. Stir occasionally until cooked through, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.
- It's great on rice or zoodles.