Description
A quick and flavorful Black Pepper Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a savory and slightly spicy sauce. This dish combines the rich umami of soy and oyster sauces with the warmth of black pepper and a touch of sweetness from honey, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Prepare chicken: In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated, which will help create a light crust when cooking.
- Cook chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 5 minutes, releasing their aromatic flavors.
- Make sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes if using. This mixture creates a well-balanced sauce that’s savory, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy.
- Combine ingredients: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the sautéed onions and garlic. Bring it to a gentle simmer then return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.
- Serve: Transfer the Black Pepper Chicken to serving plates and garnish generously with chopped green onions. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles to make it a complete meal.
- For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken to ensure proper browning.
