Black Pepper Chicken (Printable Version)

Tender chicken with crunchy peppers in a bold black pepper sauce. Quick 30-minute Asian-inspired dish perfect for weeknight dinners.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
03 - Salt to taste

→ Sauce

04 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
05 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon sugar
07 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
08 - 2 tablespoons water

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

09 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
10 - 1 large onion, sliced
11 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
12 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
13 - Green onions, chopped for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Combine chicken pieces with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add sliced onion and green bell pepper. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened.
04 - Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Return the chicken to the skillet. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Stir well to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly.
06 - Mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Pour into the skillet and stir continuously until the sauce thickens.
07 - Adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, about 5 more minutes.
08 - Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce clings to every piece like a glossy coat of comfort food magic
  • It comes together in under thirty minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
02 -
  • Overcrowding the pan will steam the chicken instead of searing it so work in batches
  • The sauce continues thickening off the heat so pull it slightly earlier than you think
03 -
  • Room temperature chicken sears better than cold straight from the fridge
  • Taste your sauce before adding salt since the soy and oyster sauces are already salty
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