Black Pepper Chicken

Introduction

Black Pepper Chicken is the ultimate answer for those craving a bold, flavorful dish that comes together fast and satisfies every palate. The combination of tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a peppery sauce makes this dish a staple in home kitchens—and a favorite for both weeknight meals and casual entertaining. Its attractive appearance and invigorating aroma ensure it stands out at any table.

What Makes Black Pepper Chicken Special?

The magic of Black Pepper Chicken lies in the balance of flavors: a savory sauce laced with the sharp warmth of freshly ground black pepper, balanced by a hint of sweetness and the light crunch of bell peppers and onions. This dish is quick to prepare and easy to customize, making it as well-suited for busy schedules as for culinary experimentation. It’s a classic that delivers restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients.

The Secret to That Peppery Punch

To get that signature zing, always use freshly cracked black pepper—its essential oils bring an irresistible depth and aroma that pre-ground pepper can’t match. Sautéing pepper with garlic infuses the oil, creating a rich, savory foundation for the stir-fry. Let your chicken marinate briefly; this ensures it remains juicy and flavorful amidst the bold sauce.

How to Stir-Fry the Perfect Black Pepper Chicken

Start by marinating your chicken pieces in soy sauce, cornstarch, and a splash of sesame oil. Stir-fry in hot oil until golden, then remove. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant, followed by bell peppers and the rest of your aromatics. Return the chicken, add your homemade pepper sauce, and toss until coated and glossy. This quick high-heat method locks in flavors and keeps everything perfectly tender-crisp.

Serving Suggestions for Maximizing Flavor

Black Pepper Chicken shines brightest when served over steamed jasmine rice or a bed of fluffy white rice, which soaks up the savory sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds for extra pizzazz. For a complete meal, pair with simple sides like sautéed greens or a cold cucumber salad—the peppery dish welcomes a refreshing counterpoint.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

Depending on the portion, this recipe serves about 4. Each plate contains roughly 320–350 calories, with protein from the chicken, vitamins from fresh vegetables, and just the right balance of sodium and spice. It’s a full-flavored dish you can feel good about sharing.

Why Black Pepper Chicken is a Weeknight MVP (Recap)

With robust flavors, minimal prep, and broad appeal, Black Pepper Chicken is the go-to recipe for when you want something distinctive yet unfussy. Its pepper-forward sauce and colorful veggies make it a repeat-worthy addition to any meal plan.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe with CookifyAI to effortlessly generate a smart shopping list sorted by store section, making grocery trips quicker and meal planning far easier.

Instructions

1. In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes while prepping the vegetables.
2. Mix together oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce, sugar, water, and black pepper in a small bowl to form the stir-fry sauce. Set aside.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the marinated chicken until golden and nearly cooked through (about 4 minutes). Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Add remaining oil to the skillet. Sauté garlic and onions for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Add bell peppers and sauté another 2–3 minutes until just tender but still bright.
6. Return chicken to the skillet. Pour in the prepared sauce and toss everything over high heat until evenly coated and glossy—about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust pepper as desired.
7. Transfer to plates, garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if using, and serve hot over steamed rice.

Weekly Meal Planning

Black Pepper Chicken is an ideal candidate for your weekly meal prep and planning. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to easily organize your cooking days, generate consolidated shopping lists, and streamline your grocery trips.

Planning Benefits:

• CookifyAI automatically calculates total quantities for shared ingredients, so no more overbuying or forgotten staples.
• Keeps shopping lists perfectly sorted by grocery store sections.
• Helps you spot overlapping ingredients if you’re prepping more than one meal, reducing food waste and simplifying bulk prep.

Pro tip: Plan multiple recipes for the week—CookifyAI will merge ingredients like onions and chicken for all your meals, sparing you from multiple runs to the store and making home cooking a breeze.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Enjoy the bold, peppery flavors—and let smart planning with CookifyAI make every meal of your week simpler, fresher, and more delicious.