The Zesty Black Pepper Chicken With Mushrooms Recipe You’ll Love

Cooking a delectable black pepper chicken with mushrooms brings excitement to any mealtime adventure.

Aromas of spicy and earthy flavors will quickly fill your kitchen space.

Succulent chicken pieces blend perfectly with tender mushroom slices, creating a harmonious culinary experience.

Home chefs appreciate how simple ingredients can produce such remarkable results.

Minimal preparation time ensures you can enjoy this dish without extensive cooking skills.

Mushrooms absorb the bold pepper notes, delivering a rich and complex taste profile.

Each bite promises a delightful journey through layers of savory satisfaction.

Jump into this recipe and surprise everyone with your incredible cooking prowess.

Pepper Chicken and Mushrooms In Black Pepper Sauce

• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this delicious black pepper chicken in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold black pepper, savory soy sauce, and oyster sauce, this dish delivers an incredible taste experience that will tantalize taste buds and impress dinner guests.
• One-Pan Convenience: Cook everything in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and making this recipe a hassle-free option for home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Protein-Packed Nutrition: Lean chicken combined with nutrient-rich mushrooms provides a balanced meal that's both delicious and nutritionally dense, supporting a healthy lifestyle with every bite.

Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms Ingredient Details

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the main dish, best when using boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
• Black Pepper: Signature spice that adds sharp, warm flavor to the chicken.

• Mushrooms: Earthy flavor that adds depth and texture to the dish.
• Onion: Provides sweet, sharp base flavor to the stir-fry.
• Bell Pepper: Optional vegetable that adds color and crisp texture.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that intensifies overall flavor profile.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds mild onion flavor and visual appeal.

• Soy Sauce: Salty, umami base for the sauce.
• Oyster Sauce: Rich, savory condiment that deepens sauce complexity.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness to balance the dish.
• Sugar: Balances and rounds out the sauce flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid component that helps create sauce consistency.
• Cornstarch: Used for coating chicken and thickening sauce, ensures crispy exterior and glossy sauce.
• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking fat for stir-frying ingredients.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning of the dish.

Stir Frying Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Coat chicken pieces thoroughly with salt, black pepper, and cornstarch.

Ensure every piece is evenly covered for maximum flavor absorption.

Step 2: Sizzle Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Cook chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, typically 5-7 minutes.

Transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetables

• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Bell peppers (optional)

Cook for 3-4 minutes until vegetables become tender and slightly caramelized.

Step 4: Enhance Aromatics

Introduce minced garlic and freshly cracked black pepper to the skillet.

Stir and cook for 1 minute to release intense fragrant notes.

Step 5: Create Flavor Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar
• Chicken broth

Pour sauce into skillet and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 6: Combine and Thicken

Return cooked chicken to skillet, coating thoroughly with sauce.

Add cornstarch slurry to create a rich, glossy consistency.

Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Sprinkle chopped green onions over the dish.

Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles for a delectable meal.

Sweet-Savory Balance Tips for Black Pepper Chicken

• Use a zip-lock bag to evenly coat chicken with seasonings for consistent and thorough coverage.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, beautifully caramelized exterior when cooking.
• Adjust cornstarch slurry gradually to prevent over-thickening, creating the ideal sauce consistency.
• Swap bell peppers with zucchini or snap peas for different nutritional profiles and flavor dimensions.
• Marinate chicken overnight to intensify flavor and tenderize meat for a more succulent dish.

Save Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms

• Store leftover black pepper chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date and contents.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium heat. Add splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 4-5 minutes.
• Place chicken in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Stop when chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.

Rice or Greens for Black Pepper Chicken

• Enhance Savory Flavors: Pair this black pepper chicken with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, which cuts through the dish's richness and complements its peppery notes.
• Complement Umami Depth: Serve alongside a light Japanese beer like Sapporo or Asahi, whose clean taste balances the robust sauce and mushroom earthiness.
• Wine Alternative Delight: Choose a medium-bodied Pinot Noir with subtle spice undertones that harmonize perfectly with the black pepper and soy sauce complexity.
• Rice Texture Booster: Select jasmine rice for its delicate fragrance and slightly sticky texture, which absorbs the savory sauce beautifully and provides a smooth counterpoint to the chicken's bold flavors.

Black Pepper Chicken with Mushroom Mixes

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or seitan, pressed and cubed, maintaining the same seasoning and cooking method for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Substitute steamed rice or noodles with cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the dish flavorful.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of soy sauce, ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free, and replace cornstarch with arrowroot powder to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Spicy Kick Version: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce during the sauce preparation stage to increase heat levels and create a more intense flavor profile for spice lovers.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Yes, chicken thighs work great and provide more flavor and tenderness. Just ensure they are cut into bite-sized pieces and cooked thoroughly.

• Is this recipe spicy?

No, this black pepper chicken is not inherently spicy. The black pepper adds a mild warmth and depth of flavor without significant heat. You can adjust the pepper amount to your preference.

• Do I need a wok to make this recipe?

Not necessary. A large skillet works perfectly fine for this dish. The key is using a pan with enough surface area to cook the chicken and vegetables evenly.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce and ensure your oyster sauce is gluten-free. Replace cornstarch with potato starch if needed to maintain the recipe’s authenticity.

Black Pepper Chicken With Mushrooms Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy black pepper chicken with mushrooms delivers bold flavors that dance across your palate with rich, savory complexity. Home cooks seeking a quick, satisfying meal will discover this recipe provides intense Asian-inspired comfort in less than 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Seasonings and Dry Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 cups sliced mushrooms (button, cremini, or shiitake)
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced (optional)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Green onions (for garnish)

Sauces and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup chicken broth or water

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Instructions

1. Create a flavorful coating for the chicken by thoroughly blending salt, black pepper, and cornstarch, ensuring each piece is evenly seasoned.
2. Preheat a large skillet or wok with vegetable oil over medium-high heat, then sear the seasoned chicken until it develops a golden exterior and reaches complete doneness, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to a separate plate.
3. Utilize the same skillet to sauté mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers, allowing the vegetables to soften and release their natural flavors for 3-4 minutes.
4. Infuse the vegetable mixture with aromatic minced garlic and a generous sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, cooking briefly to enhance the fragrance.
5. Craft a dynamic sauce by combining soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and chicken broth in a separate container, then pour the mixture into the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Reintroduce the cooked chicken to the skillet, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the savory sauce. Incorporate a cornstarch slurry to create a rich, glossy texture, allowing the sauce to thicken for an additional 1-2 minutes.
7. Elevate the dish by scattering freshly chopped green onions over the top and serve immediately alongside steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

• Cornstarch helps create a crispy, golden exterior on the chicken while keeping the meat tender and juicy.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free.
• Marinate chicken for 15-30 minutes before cooking to enhance flavor penetration and tenderness.
• Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to achieve perfect chicken browning and prevent steaming.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg