Name: Easy Black Pepper Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 500g (1.1 lbs) skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes; 2 tablespoons peanut oil; Salt, to taste; 2 medium onions, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic; 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger; 1 red or green chili, chopped; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; For the sauce:; 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons light soy sauce; 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 2 tablespoons water or chicken broth

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If you’re a fan of Chinese takeout, you’ve probably enjoyed the bold and savory flavors of black pepper chicken. This dish, inspired by Panda Express, features tender, juicy chicken bites coated in a rich black pepper sauce.

The best part? You can recreate this restaurant favorite at home with just a handful of ingredients and in less than 30 minutes! Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a flavorful side dish, this easy black pepper chicken recipe will hit the spot.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This homemade black pepper chicken is not only delicious but also incredibly simple to make. It’s packed with bold flavors from freshly ground black pepper, soy sauce, and aromatic garlic and ginger. Plus, it’s healthier than takeout since you can control the quality of ingredients and the amount of oil and salt used.

Let’s dive into the details so you can bring this savory dish to your table tonight!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the chicken:

500 grams (1.1 lbs) skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
2 tablespoons peanut oil
Salt to taste
2 medium-sized onions, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes
½ teaspoon minced garlic
½ teaspoon minced ginger
1 fresh red or green chili, chopped
2 tablespoons cornstarch
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the sauce:

¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
½ teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water or chicken broth

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Sauce

Start by preparing the black pepper sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together freshly ground black pepper, rice vinegar, light and dark soy sauces, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, cornstarch, and water (or chicken broth). Ensure there are no lumps in the mixture. Set this aside—it will be the star of your dish!

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

In a separate bowl, coat the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of the prepared sauce, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Let the chicken marinate while you prepare the vegetables and aromatics. This quick marination step is key to achieving tender, flavorful chicken.

Step 3: Brown the Chicken

Heat a large frying pan over medium heat until hot. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut oil and swirl it around to coat the pan evenly. Place the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until golden on one side. Flip them over and cook until browned and almost fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside. If your pan is small, cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

In the same pan, heat another tablespoon of peanut oil. Add minced ginger, garlic, and chopped chili, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Immediately toss in the onion and green bell pepper cubes. Stir-fry over high heat for a few minutes until the vegetables are tender yet crisp.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Reduce the heat to low and give your prepared sauce a quick whisk to recombine any settled cornstarch. Pour the sauce into the pan with the vegetables and let it simmer for about 30 seconds until it thickens slightly. Add the cooked chicken back into the pan and toss everything together until evenly coated and warmed through.

Step 6: Serve Hot

Turn off the heat and sprinkle freshly ground black pepper over the dish for an extra burst of flavor. Serve your black pepper chicken hot with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Pro Tips for Success

Prep Everything Before You Start Cooking: Stir-frying happens quickly, so it’s important to have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you heat up your pan.
Use Freshly Ground Black Pepper: The robust flavor of freshly cracked peppercorns is what makes this dish shine. You can crush them using a mortar and pestle or even a rolling pin if you don’t have a grinder.
Don’t Skip Marinating: Even though it’s a short marination time, it makes a big difference in how tender and flavorful your chicken turns out. Use this time to prep your veggies or whisk your sauce!
Cook in Batches if Needed: Overcrowding the pan can cause the chicken to steam rather than brown. For best results, cook in batches if your pan isn’t large enough.
Whisk the Sauce Before Adding: Cornstarch tends to settle at the bottom of the bowl, so always give your sauce a quick whisk before pouring it into the pan.

Why Freshly Ground Black Pepper Matters

The bold flavor of this dish comes from freshly ground black peppercorns. Unlike pre-ground pepper, freshly cracked pepper has a more robust and aromatic quality that elevates the entire dish. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle or grinder, simply place whole peppercorns in a kitchen towel and crush them with a heavy object like a rolling pin or meat mallet. Trust me—it’s worth the extra effort!

Nutritional Information

This recipe serves four people and is perfect for sharing with family or friends. While exact nutritional values may vary depending on specific ingredients used, this dish is generally lower in calories compared to its takeout counterpart since it uses minimal oil and fresh ingredients. For more precise calculations, consult a registered dietitian or use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Final Thoughts

This easy black pepper chicken recipe proves that you don’t need to order takeout to enjoy bold Chinese flavors at home. With its juicy chicken bites, crisp vegetables, and savory sauce packed with freshly ground black pepper, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Pair it with steamed jasmine rice or noodles for a complete meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes!

So why wait? Grab your ingredients and give this recipe a try tonight—you might just skip takeout for good!

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Easy Black Pepper Chicken Recipe