Description
Spicy black pepper chicken delivers a bold flavor explosion straight from Chinese culinary traditions. Sizzling tender meat coated in rich, aromatic spices creates an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 tbsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Seasonings:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Aromatics and Garnish:
- 1/2 medium onion
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by patting it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring optimal seasoning absorption.
- Crush the freshly ground black pepper coarsely and thoroughly coat the chicken pieces, pressing the pepper into the meat to create a robust, flavorful crust.
- Mince the garlic cloves finely and dice the onion into uniform small pieces to distribute aromatic flavors evenly throughout the dish.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and creates a perfect searing environment for the chicken.
- Carefully place the pepper-crusted chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown exterior and seal in the juices.
- Sprinkle salt and dried thyme over the chicken during cooking, enhancing the depth of flavor and creating a harmonious seasoning profile.
- Cook the chicken for approximately 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring it’s completely cooked through with a crispy exterior.
- While the chicken cooks, chop the green onions and parsley to prepare the fresh garnish that will add brightness and color to the final dish.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 3-4 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and fresh parsley, creating a vibrant and aromatic finishing touch to the black pepper chicken.
Notes
- Pat chicken completely dry to maximize seasoning absorption and create a crispy exterior that locks in maximum flavor.
- Use freshly cracked black pepper for intense, bold taste that elevates the entire dish with robust aromatic notes.
- Achieve perfect sear by ensuring skillet is hot enough before adding chicken, creating golden-brown crust that seals in juices and develops deep, rich flavors.
- Allow chicken to rest after cooking so internal juices redistribute, guaranteeing tender, succulent meat with maximum moisture retention.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg