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Best Black Pepper Chicken Recipe for a Flavor-Packed Weeknight Dinner

Best Black Pepper Chicken Recipe for a Flavor-Packed Weeknight Dinner
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This bold, Sichuan-inspired black pepper chicken delivers a savory, slightly spicy flavor with a glossy sauce clinging to crispy chicken and vegetables. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s a healthy, customizable weeknight staple.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:
1.1 lb (500 g) skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons peanut oil (or any neutral oil)

For the Stir-Fry:
2 medium 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 chili, chopped (adjust for heat level)
2 tablespoons peanut oil (or any neutral oil)

For the Sauce:
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (optional for color)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
½ teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water or chicken broth

Instructions

Make the sauce first: In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly ground black pepper, light and dark soy sauces, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water until smooth and lump-free. Set aside.
Marinate the chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken cubes with 1 tablespoon of the prepared sauce, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and a generous pinch of salt. Toss to coat and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
Stir-fry the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook until golden and cooked through (6-8 minutes). Remove and set aside.
Cook the veggies: In the same wok or a clean one, heat remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Sauté onions, bell pepper, garlic, ginger, and fresh chili until softened (3-4 minutes).
Combine and thicken: Return cooked chicken to the pan. Pour in remaining sauce, stir well, and simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve immediately: Garnish with chopped spring onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, use homemade chicken broth instead of water.
Can substitute red bell peppers for green or add carrots for more color.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours; sauce may thicken further.
Use a mortar for freshly ground black pepper if available.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yumandrun.com/best-black-pepper-chicken-recipe-for-a-flavor-packed-weeknight-dinner/