Description
Black Pepper Chicken is a classic dish featuring tender, juicy chicken infused with bold, freshly cracked black pepper and savory seasonings. Quick and easy to prepare, this flavorful recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with its aromatic and spicy profile. Versatile and adaptable, it pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or vegetables, making it a delicious and comforting meal for all skill levels.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 500 grams boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Marinade & Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon coarsely ground fresh black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
Aromatics & Cooking
- 1 medium onion or 3 scallions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (vegetable or sunflower) for cooking
- Optional: ½ teaspoon chili flakes or fresh sliced chili for extra heat
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure a nice sear that locks in juices.
- Marinate: Toss chicken with soy sauce, freshly ground black pepper, minced garlic, and ginger. Marinate for at least 20 minutes to infuse flavors deeply.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and sear on each side until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes depending on size.
- Sauté Aromatics: Remove chicken from pan. In the same pan, add sliced onions or scallions and sauté until soft and fragrant, scraping browned bits from the pan to enhance flavor.
- Combine and Finish: Return chicken to the pan with sautéed onions. Adjust seasoning with additional black pepper and soy sauce if needed. Stir and cook for another minute to marry flavors beautifully.
Notes
- Always use freshly cracked black pepper for maximum flavor intensity.
- Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve better searing and prevent steaming.
- Cook chicken over high heat to lock in juices and develop caramelized crust.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to ensure even browning.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper and chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop Searing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Black Pepper Chicken, Spicy Chicken, Asian Chicken Recipe, Gluten Free Chicken, Quick Dinner, Savory Chicken