Black Pepper Chicken (Hēi Hú Jiāo Jī – 黑胡椒鸡)
Black Pepper Chicken is a dish bursting with aroma and rich flavors, where the intense and fragrant black pepper takes center stage alongside tender chicken.
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- Chicken
- 400 g chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp sugar adjust to taste
- Marinade
- ½ tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce optional
- 1 tsp sesame oil optional
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- Vegetables
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 tsp ginger finely minced
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 onion sliced
- Pinch of salt to taste
- Sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine
- 1 to 1½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 to 2 tbsp water
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken
- Place the chicken pieces in a bowl. Add dark and light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Mix well and let marinate for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Sauce Preparation
- Combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a wok over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil, and heat until shimmering.
- Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until lightly seared and tender. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to the wok, followed by the garlic and ginger. Stir-fry briefly until fragrant.
- Add the onion and green bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.
- Return the chicken to the wok. Add the sugar and salt to taste. Stir well.
- Pour in the prepared sauce and mix thoroughly. Let the dish cook for another minute to blend the flavors.
Serving
- Serve immediately, ideally with rice or noodles, to highlight the bold flavor of black pepper and the tender chicken.