Tender and flavorful, Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms offers a delightful balance of spice and umami. This quick stir-fry is not only perfect for weeknight dinners but also impressive enough for gatherings. Ready in just 30 minutes, it showcases juicy chicken and earthy mushrooms, all enveloped in a bold pepper sauce that elevates any meal. Enjoy this recipe when you need something satisfying yet swift!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Prepare: Ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Flavors: The combination of black pepper and savory sauces creates an irresistible taste.
- Versatile Dish: Serve it over rice or noodles, or pair it with your favorite vegetables.
- Healthy Option: Packed with protein and vegetables, this dish is both nutritious and satisfying.
- Easy Cleanup: With just one skillet needed, you can enjoy your meal without much fuss.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into the cooking process, gather your essential tools to make preparing Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms a breeze.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Large skillet
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Whisk
- Measuring spoons
Importance of Each Tool
- Large skillet: Provides ample space for stir-frying ingredients evenly, ensuring they cook perfectly without overcrowding.
- Whisk: Helps to blend sauces smoothly, enhancing the overall flavor of your dish.
Ingredients
Tender chicken and mushrooms stir-fried in a bold, peppery sauce. A quick and satisfying meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms (shiitake or button), sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped for garnish
Sauces and Oils
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
How to Make Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Mix sliced chicken with cornstarch, salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper until evenly coated.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the chicken until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Stir-Fry Vegetables
In the same skillet with the remaining oil, stir-fry the onion and bell pepper for 2-3 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook for another 2-3 minutes until tender.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of black pepper in a bowl.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Add the sauce to the vegetables in the skillet. Return the chicken to the skillet. Toss everything until well-coated and heated through for about 1-2 minutes.
Step 6: Serve
Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot over rice or noodles. Enjoy your delicious Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms!
How to Serve Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms
Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is a versatile dish that pairs well with various sides and garnishes. Here are some creative ideas to elevate your meal.
Over Rice
- Serve the chicken over fluffy white rice or brown rice for a hearty base.
With Noodles
- Toss it with stir-fried noodles, like chow mein or udon, for an added texture and flavor.
In Lettuce Wraps
- Use butter lettuce leaves to create fresh wraps filled with the chicken and mushroom mixture.
With Steamed Vegetables
- Pair it with steamed broccoli or bok choy for a nutritious and colorful plate.
Topped with Sesame Seeds
- Add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra crunch and flavor.
Garnished with Fresh Herbs
- Fresh cilantro or basil can brighten up the dish, adding aromatic notes.
How to Perfect Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms
To achieve the best results when making Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms, consider these helpful tips.
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh chicken and vegetables enhance the flavor of your dish.
- Control the heat: Stir-fry on medium-high heat to ensure your ingredients cook quickly without steaming.
- Marinate the chicken: For extra flavor, let the chicken marinate in soy sauce and black pepper for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
- Adjust spice level: Feel free to add more black pepper or red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier dish.
- Keep it quick: Prepare all your ingredients before starting to cook to maintain a fast cooking process.
- Experiment with mushrooms: Try different types of mushrooms like shiitake, portobello, or even enoki for varied textures.
Best Side Dishes for Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms
Pairing side dishes can enhance your dining experience. Here are some great options that complement Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms.
- Fried Rice: A classic Asian side made with leftover rice, vegetables, and eggs—perfect for soaking up the sauce.
- Egg Rolls: Crispy egg rolls filled with vegetables add crunch and make a great appetizer.
- Spring Rolls: Fresh spring rolls filled with veggies offer a light contrast to the rich flavors of the main dish.
- Garlic Bread: A surprising yet delightful choice; garlic bread can soak up any leftover sauce beautifully.
- Vegetable Stir-Fry: Quick stir-fried seasonal vegetables keep the meal colorful and healthy.
- Cucumber Salad: A refreshing cucumber salad adds a crisp texture and balances out the meal’s richness.
- Miso Soup: This warm soup is soothing and pairs well with Asian flavors, enhancing your dining experience.
- Quinoa Salad: A nutritious quinoa salad mixed with veggies provides additional protein and fiber.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms, it’s easy to overlook a few key details. Here are some common mistakes to avoid.
- Not marinating the chicken enough: Marinating your chicken for at least 15 minutes can enhance the flavor significantly. Don’t skip this step for the best taste.
- Overcooking the vegetables: Stir-frying too long can make your vegetables soggy. Cook them just until tender for a better texture and flavor.
- Using too much cornstarch: Adding excess cornstarch can make the dish gummy. Stick to the recommended amount for a smooth sauce.
- Skipping garnishes: Garnishes like green onions add freshness and visual appeal. Always include them for a complete dish.
- Ignoring heat levels: Cooking on too high heat can burn your ingredients. Maintain medium-high heat to achieve perfect stir-fry results.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Allow it to cool completely before refrigerating to maintain texture.
Freezing Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
- Separate into individual portions for easy reheating later.
Reheating Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and bake covered for about 15 minutes until heated through.
- Microwave: Heat in short intervals, stirring between each, until hot throughout.
- Stovetop: Warm over medium heat in a skillet, stirring frequently, until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms.
Can I use different types of mushrooms?
You can substitute any mushrooms you prefer! Shiitake, button, or even portobello mushrooms work great in this dish.
How spicy is Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms?
The spice level largely depends on how much black pepper you use. Feel free to adjust it according to your taste.
What can I serve with Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms?
This dish pairs well with steamed rice, noodles, or even stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the chicken and sauce in advance. Just stir-fry everything together right before serving.
Final Thoughts
Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is not only quick and easy but also incredibly versatile. You can customize it by adding extra vegetables or adjusting the spice level to suit your preferences. Give this delightful recipe a try next time you’re looking for a comforting meal!
Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms
Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is a quick and flavorful stir-fry that perfectly balances spice and umami in just 30 minutes. This dish is great for busy weeknights or entertaining guests, featuring tender chicken and earthy mushrooms coated in a bold pepper sauce. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal that’s both nutritious and easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms (shiitake or button), sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Mix sliced chicken with cornstarch, salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper until well coated.
- Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the chicken for about 4-5 minutes until browned. Remove from the skillet.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining oil and stir-fry onion and bell pepper for 2-3 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook until tender (another 2-3 minutes).
- Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and remaining black pepper in a bowl to create the sauce.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, pour in the sauce, and toss everything together for an additional 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Garnish with chopped green onions before serving hot over rice or noodles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 250g)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
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