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Easy Black Pepper Chicken

Easy Black Pepper Chicken
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Easy Black Pepper Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken coated in a spicy, aromatic black pepper sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or an impressive guest dinner. This versatile recipe uses simple pantry staples and offers customizable spice levels to suit any preference.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs – about 1 lb, sliced into bite-sized strips
  • Salt – a pinch, for seasoning
  • Cornstarch – 1 to 2 tablespoons, for coating chicken

Sauce & Aromatics

  • Soy sauce – 3 tablespoons
  • Freshly ground black pepper – 1 to 2 teaspoons (adjust to taste)
  • Garlic – 2 cloves, freshly minced
  • Ginger – 1 teaspoon, freshly minced
  • Water – 1 to 2 tablespoons, to loosen sauce

For Cooking

  • Vegetable oil – 2 tablespoons, for stir-frying
  • Green onions – 2 stalks, chopped (for stir-fry and garnish)
  • Optional chili flakes – 1/2 teaspoon or to taste (for extra spice)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken into bite-sized strips for even cooking. Lightly season with salt and coat with cornstarch to help the sauce cling and create a velvety texture.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, freshly ground black pepper, minced garlic and ginger, and a dash of water. Mix well to form the flavorful base of the dish with a balance of spice and savory depth.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  4. Stir-Fry the Aromatics: In the same pan, add green onions and more garlic and ginger if desired. Sauté briefly until fragrant, creating a fresh and zesty flavor layer.
  5. Combine and Simmer: Return the chicken to the pan, pour the sauce over it, and stir quickly. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens and coats every piece of chicken. Adjust seasoning with extra black pepper or soy sauce to taste. Optionally, add chili flakes for extra heat.

Notes

  • Use freshly ground black pepper for the best vibrant spice.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken; cook in batches if necessary to ensure proper searing.
  • Taste the sauce before simmering fully to balance saltiness and heat.
  • Brief marination of chicken in soy sauce and pepper can deepen flavor.
  • Serve immediately for optimal tenderness and juicy texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: black pepper chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, stir fry chicken, gluten free chicken dish

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