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Black Pepper Chicken Recipe

Black Pepper Chicken Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 26 reviews

Black Pepper Chicken is a flavorful and quick stir-fry dish featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in soy sauce and Shaoxing wine, tossed with a peppery, savory sauce and aromatic garlic, ginger, and onions. This classic Chinese-inspired recipe offers a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and umami tastes, making it a satisfying meal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

  • 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, sliced against the grain into 1/4” (5-mm) thick pieces
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
  • 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 white onion, chopped

Instructions

  1. Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, combine the sliced chicken breast with 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Mix well to coat all pieces. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness.
  2. Prepare Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, 2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine, 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, sugar, black pepper, and salt until smooth. Set aside.
  3. Heat Oil and Sauté Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced ginger and garlic; stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add chopped white onion and continue to stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until onions become translucent.
  4. Cook Chicken: Increase heat to high, add marinated chicken to the wok in a single layer. Stir-fry the chicken quickly for 3-4 minutes, or until the pieces are cooked through and starting to brown slightly on the edges.
  5. Add Sauce and Thicken: Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the cooked chicken and vegetables. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly, about 1-2 minutes.
  6. Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more black pepper for extra heat if desired. Turn off heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and verify that Shaoxing wine substitute or omit if strict gluten avoidance is needed.
  • Shaoxing wine can be replaced with dry sherry if unavailable.
  • Adjust black pepper quantity based on your preferred spice level.
  • Peanut oil can be substituted with vegetable oil or canola oil for neutral flavor.
  • Slicing chicken thinly helps in quick cooking and better absorption of the marinade.

Nutrition

Keywords: Black Pepper Chicken, Chinese Chicken Stir-Fry, Spicy Chicken Recipe, Easy Chicken Dinner, Quick Asian Stir-Fry

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