Description
Creamy black pepper chicken elevates weeknight dinners with bold Indian-inspired flavors. Spicy, tender chicken pieces combine with aromatic spices for a quick and satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsps soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (optional, for color)
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ cup chicken broth (or water)
- 2 tbsps cornstarch
- 2 tbsps water (for slurry)
- ½ tsp sesame oil (optional, for finishing)
- 1 tbsp freshly cracked black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsps vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Marination: Blend soy sauce and cornstarch to thoroughly coat chicken, letting flavors meld for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Sauce Preparation: Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and chicken broth in a compact mixing bowl, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Chicken Searing: Heat vegetable oil in a robust skillet over medium-high temperature. Expertly sear marinated chicken pieces until achieving a caramelized golden crust and complete internal cooking, approximately 5-6 minutes. Remove and set aside on a clean plate.
- Vegetable Transformation: In the identical skillet, sauté onions and bell peppers until reaching a vibrant, crisp-tender texture. Quickly introduce minced garlic, releasing its intense aromatic profile.
- Flavor Fusion: Reintroduce seared chicken to the skillet. Pour prepared sauce over the entire mixture, ensuring comprehensive coating. Generously dust with black pepper and thoroughly integrate all components.
- Sauce Refinement: Incorporate cornstarch slurry to elevate sauce consistency. Finish with a delicate drizzle of sesame oil, performing a final gentle tossing to distribute flavors evenly.
- Serving Suggestion: Plate piping hot, accompanied by steamed rice or noodles. Optional: Sprinkle additional black pepper for pepper enthusiasts seeking an extra flavor dimension.
Notes
- Marinate Masterfully: Let chicken sit in soy sauce mixture for exactly 15 minutes – not longer to prevent over-softening of meat texture.
- Perfect Searing Technique: Use high, consistent heat when cooking chicken to achieve golden-brown exterior without drying internal meat.
- Sauce Balancing Act: Adjust sauce sweetness and saltiness by gradually adding sugar and soy sauce, tasting incrementally for precise flavor profile.
- Slurry Secret: Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to prevent lumps, ensuring smooth sauce consistency that coats ingredients evenly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg