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Black Pepper Chicken stir-fry with onions, red and green bell peppers, and scallions in a glossy pepper sauce served in a hot bowl.

Black Pepper Chicken

Black Pepper Chicken is a bold and flavorful stir-fry favorite that brings classic Chinese-American takeout right to your kitchen. Juicy chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a peppery soy-based sauce come together in under 30 minutes—perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner any night of the week.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Chinese-American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chicken Marinade

  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, sliced thin
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 0.5 tsp sesame oil

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 0.5 tsp sugar
  • 0.5 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 0.25 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (for thickening)

Stir-Fry

  • 1 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper (red or green), sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, minced (optional)

Instructions
 

  • 1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine sliced chicken with light soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Let it marinate for 15–30 minutes.
  • 2. Make the Sauce: Mix oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, water or broth, and cornstarch in a bowl. Stir until smooth and set aside.
  • 3. Prep the Vegetables: Slice the onions and bell pepper. Mince the garlic and ginger. Keep everything ready for the quick stir-fry process.
  • 4. Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer. Sear for 1–2 minutes before stirring. Cook until browned and nearly done. Remove from pan.
  • 5. Stir-Fry the Veggies: In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Stir-fry garlic, ginger, onion, and bell pepper for 2–3 minutes until slightly tender.
  • 6. Combine and Sauce: Return chicken to the pan. Stir the sauce and pour it in. Toss everything together and let it cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
  • 7. Serve: Serve hot over steamed jasmine rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions if desired.

Notes

Use freshly cracked black pepper for the best aroma and flavor. Press tofu well if using a vegetarian substitute. Reheat with a splash of water to refresh the sauce.
Keyword black pepper chicken, chinese stir fry, easy chicken dinner, pepper chicken recipe, takeout at home