Description
This Black Pepper Chicken is a flavorful stir-fried dish featuring tender strips of marinated chicken thighs cooked in a savory sauce infused with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and freshly cracked black pepper. Quick to prepare and perfect served over steamed rice, it’s a classic and comforting Chinese-inspired recipe bursting with rich umami and spice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Marinade
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into thin strips
- 1 tbsp shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
Stir Fry
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ½ onion, cut into wedges
- 2 scallions, cut into ½-inch pieces, whites and greens separated
Sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, plus more to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Additional freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into thin strips and place them in a bowl. Add shaoxing wine, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly and let it marinate for 15 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare Aromatics and Sauce: Finely mince the garlic. Cut the onion into wedges and chop the scallions into ½-inch pieces, separating the white parts from the green parts. In a small bowl, whisk together dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, shaoxing wine, sugar, and freshly cracked black pepper to form the sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil. Add the marinated chicken strips and stir-fry for about 5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add the minced garlic, onion wedges, and the white parts of the scallions. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the aromatics. Pour in the prepared sauce and stir well to combine. Cook for another 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken evenly.
- Serve: Serve the black pepper chicken hot over freshly steamed rice. Optionally, sprinkle additional freshly cracked black pepper on top for an extra kick.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken with cornstarch helps achieve a tender and velvety texture.
- Use freshly cracked black pepper for a more aromatic and pungent flavor.
- Adjust the amount of sugar based on your desired sweetness level.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the chicken at its juiciest and most flavorful.
- Shaoxing wine can be substituted with dry sherry if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: Black Pepper Chicken, Chinese Chicken Stir Fry, Easy Chicken Dinner, Savory Chicken Recipe, Stir Fry Chicken with Black Pepper
