Description
This Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is a savory, peppery, and umami-packed stir-fry that’s quick, easy, and better than takeout! Juicy chicken is marinated and stir-fried with mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers, then coated in a bold black pepper sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish is ready in under 30 minutes and pairs beautifully with rice or noodles!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into thin strips)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
For the Stir-Fry:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 8 oz mushrooms (sliced)
- ½ onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 bell pepper (sliced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
- 1 teaspoon crushed black pepper
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch (dissolved in 1 tablespoon water)
For Garnish (Optional):
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions (chopped)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix chicken strips with soy sauce, cornstarch, black pepper, and sesame oil.
- Let it marinate for 10 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch mixture.
- Set aside for later use.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil.
- Stir-fry mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add garlic, ginger, and crushed black pepper, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine Everything:
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan.
- Pour in the prepared sauce, stirring to coat everything evenly.
- Let it simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Garnish & Serve:
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions for extra flavor.
- Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Use Freshly Crushed Black Pepper: It enhances the bold flavor.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook in batches to ensure even cooking.
- Marinate for More Flavor: Even 10 minutes makes a difference!
- Adjust the Spice Level: Add more or less black pepper to suit your taste.
- Try Different Mushrooms: Shiitake, cremini, or white button mushrooms work well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired