Description
This Black Pepper Chicken Stir-Fry is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breast strips, vibrant bell peppers, broccoli, and a punchy black pepper sauce. Perfect for a wholesome weeknight meal, it combines the savory notes of soy and oyster sauce with the heat of freshly ground black pepper, all stir-fried to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced thinly
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Vegetables
- 2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Sauces and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2-3 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
Serving
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breast into thin strips, then season with salt and toss with cornstarch. Set this mixture aside to allow the cornstarch to coat the chicken evenly.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering, indicating it’s hot enough for stir-frying.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken strips to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is browned on the outside and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken and set aside.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced onion, bell peppers, and broccoli florets. Stir-fry these vegetables for about 3-4 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.
- Add Garlic and Black Pepper: Stir in the minced garlic and freshly ground black pepper with the vegetables. Cook for an additional minute until the garlic is fragrant and the pepper releases its aroma.
- Combine Chicken and Vegetables: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet, combining them well with the vegetables.
- Add Sauces: Pour in the soy sauce and optional oyster sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly with the savory sauces.
- Cook Together: Let the mixture cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to allow the flavors to meld and everything to heat through thoroughly.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste your stir-fry and add more black pepper or salt as desired to enhance the flavor to your liking.
- Serve: Remove the pan from heat and serve the black pepper chicken stir-fry hot, over cooked rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For more heat, increase the amount of freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
- The cornstarch helps to create a slight coating on the chicken that locks in juices and helps thicken the sauce slightly.
- Oyster sauce is optional but adds a deeper umami flavor; you can omit it for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly version (using mushroom sauce instead).
- Ensure your pan or wok is hot enough before adding ingredients to achieve the best stir-fry texture.
- Use fresh vegetables for the best texture; frozen veggies may release too much moisture and make the stir-fry soggy.
