Zesty Black Pepper Chicken Recipe: Spice Up Your Dinner

Succulent black pepper chicken bursts with bold, zesty flavors that dance across your palate.

Aromatic spices create a mouthwatering experience you’ll absolutely love.

Marinating transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal packed with personality.

Tender pieces of meat get coated in a rich, peppery blend that tingles your taste buds.

Incredible depth comes from carefully selected seasonings and cooking techniques.

Simple ingredients combine to produce a restaurant-quality dish right in your kitchen.

Dive into this recipe and unleash your inner culinary artist – deliciousness awaits!

Bold Black Pepper Chicken Wonders

• Speed Up Dinner: Prepare a delicious, restaurant-quality meal in just a few simple steps with minimal cooking skills required.
• Customize Your Kick: Adjust the heat level by adding more or less red pepper flakes to suit personal spice preferences.
• Pantry-Friendly Feast: Use common ingredients already stocked in most kitchen cabinets, making this recipe perfect for spontaneous cooking adventures.
• Versatile Protein Power: Easily swap chicken with tofu or other proteins for a flexible meal that adapts to different dietary needs.

Ingredients for Black Pepper Chicken Dish

• Chicken: The primary protein that provides the base for this flavorful dish.

• Cornstarch, Salt, Black Pepper: A seasoned coating that helps create a crispy exterior and enhances the chicken's flavor.

• Vegetable Oil: Helps brown the chicken and prevent sticking to the pan.

• Onion, Garlic: Add depth and foundational flavor to the dish.

• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Honey, Rice Vinegar, Sesame Oil: Create a balanced sweet, savory, and tangy sauce that coats the chicken.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Provides a spicy kick for those who enjoy additional heat.

• Green Onions: Adds a fresh, crisp finish and bright color to the dish.

Stepwise Instructions for Black Pepper Chicken

Step 1: Prep the Protein

Grab your chicken and toss it in a mixing bowl with cornstarch, salt, and a generous sprinkle of black pepper. Make sure each piece gets fully coated with the seasoning mixture, creating a delicious protective layer that will help lock in flavor and create a slight crispiness.

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown

Fire up a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and pour in vegetable oil. Carefully add the seasoned chicken pieces and let them dance in the hot pan.

Cook until they turn a beautiful golden brown and are completely cooked through, which should take around 5-7 minutes. Once done, transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Aromatic Veggie Base

In the same skillet, toss in chopped onions and minced garlic. Let them sauté and release their incredible fragrance, softening and becoming translucent after about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Craft the Flavor Bomb Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Honey
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Red pepper flakes

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Pour the sauce into the skillet and let it simmer and bubble. Return the cooked chicken to the pan, coating each piece in the rich, glossy sauce.

Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.

Step 6: Final Touch and Serve

Transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle with freshly chopped green onions.

Enjoy your Black Pepper Chicken Delight hot and fresh!

Tips for Perfect Black Pepper Chicken

• Coat chicken thoroughly with cornstarch to create a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture and enhances taste.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control heat intensity, making the dish mild or spicy according to your preference.
• Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for tender, juicy meat that absorbs seasonings perfectly.
• Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure chicken browns evenly without becoming soggy.
• Whisk sauce ingredients well and simmer briefly to create a glossy, rich coating that clings beautifully to the chicken.

Creative Spins on Black Pepper Chicken

• Spicy Szechuan Splash: Replace black pepper with Szechuan peppercorns and add extra chili oil for a bold, fiery kick that tingles the taste buds.
• Ginger Garlic Fusion: Incorporate fresh grated ginger and double the garlic for an aromatic, zesty flavor profile that elevates the chicken's richness.
• Coconut Curry Remix: Swap oyster sauce with coconut milk and add curry powder to create a creamy, tropical-inspired version of the classic dish.
• Herb Garden Chicken: Mix in fresh chopped herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley during the final cooking stage for a fresh, vibrant Mediterranean-style adaptation.

Pairing Options with Black Pepper Chicken

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: A slightly sweet white wine cuts through the dish's spiciness and complements the black pepper's bold profile, balancing each savory bite with refreshing acidity.
• Serve Over Jasmine Rice: Fluffy, fragrant jasmine rice absorbs the rich sauce perfectly, providing a neutral base that enhances the chicken's complex seasonings and creates a complete meal.
• Complement with Roasted Broccoli: Tender-crisp roasted broccoli with a light garlic seasoning adds nutritional value and provides a fresh vegetable contrast to the chicken's intense flavor, creating textural harmony on the plate.

Storage Ideas for Black Pepper Chicken

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.

Transfer chicken to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date and contents.

Place chicken in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Stir gently until heated evenly, about 3-4 minutes.

FAQs

• Why use cornstarch when coating chicken?

Cornstarch helps create a crispy exterior on the chicken and prevents moisture loss, ensuring the meat stays juicy and gets a nice golden-brown color when cooking.

• Can I substitute rice vinegar with another ingredient?

White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar work well as alternatives, providing a similar tangy flavor profile to rice vinegar in the sauce.

• How spicy is this black pepper chicken?

The recipe has mild heat from black pepper, but you can adjust spiciness by adding more or less red pepper flakes according to your preference.

• What makes this sauce unique?

The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, and rice vinegar creates a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and tangy flavors that complement the chicken beautifully.

Black Pepper Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor the bold flavors of black pepper chicken, a spicy sensation that brings zesty Asian-inspired comfort to your dinner table. Pepper-crusted chicken pieces deliver an irresistible kick, promising a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

Seasonings and Coating:

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Coat chicken pieces with a blend of cornstarch, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
2. Sizzle chicken in hot vegetable oil over medium-high heat until golden and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes, then transfer to a separate plate.
3. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in the same skillet until they become translucent and fragrant, around 3-4 minutes.
4. Craft a robust sauce by combining soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and optional red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl.
5. Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet, allowing it to bubble and slightly reduce for 1-2 minutes.
6. Reintroduce the cooked chicken to the skillet, gently tossing to coat and reheat for an additional 2-3 minutes.
7. Plate the aromatic black pepper chicken and garnish with freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Cornstarch coating ensures a crispy exterior while keeping the chicken tender and juicy inside.
• Use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic punch.
• For a healthier version, swap vegetable oil with avocado or olive oil to reduce saturated fat content.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level, making the dish adaptable for different heat tolerances.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 185 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg