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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Create a flavorful coating for the chicken by thoroughly blending salt, black pepper, and cornstarch, ensuring each piece is evenly seasoned.
- 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.
- 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.
- Infuse the vegetable mixture with aromatic minced garlic and a generous sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, cooking briefly to enhance the fragrance.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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