Easy Black Pepper Chicken

Black Pepper Chicken has easily become one of my favorite quick dinners lately.

I kept seeing versions of it all over social media, and after testing it a few times, this combo ended up being the one I couldn’t stop making.

The chicken gets crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and the buttery garlic black pepper sauce is seriously so good over rice.

What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is while still tasting packed with flavor.

The sweet chili sauce adds a little balance to all the savory peppery goodness, and the fresh cucumbers and peppers make the bowl feel extra fresh and satisfying.

If you want an easy dinner that tastes exciting without taking forever to make, this one is definitely worth trying.

Main Ingredients

• Chicken thighs: I love using chicken thighs for this recipe because they stay juicy and flavorful while getting crispy on the outside.
  
• Cornstarch: I always use cornstarch to coat the chicken because it helps create that light crispy texture without deep frying.
  
• Oyster sauce: I love adding oyster sauce because it gives the sauce a rich savory flavor that makes the dish taste way more flavorful.
  
• Sweet chili sauce: I feel like sweet chili sauce makes everything better here. It adds a little sweetness and garlic flavor that balances the black pepper perfectly.
  
• Black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper is honestly the star of this recipe. It gives the chicken that bold peppery flavor that makes it so addictive.
  
• Butter and garlic: I love using butter and fresh garlic together because they make the sauce taste extra cozy, rich, and flavorful.
  
• Rice and fresh veggies: I usually serve this black pepper chicken with rice, cucumbers, and bell peppers because it makes the meal feel fresh and super satisfying.

How to Make This Black Pepper Chicken

Step 1: Prep the chicken

• Remove the bones from the chicken thighs but keep the skin on.
• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
• Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
• Coat the chicken evenly with cornstarch.

Step 2: Make the sauce

• In a small bowl, mix together oyster sauce, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, chili flakes, and water.
• Stir well until everything is combined.

Step 3: Cook the chicken

• Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Place the chicken skin-side down and cook until golden and crispy on both sides.
• Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Step 4: Finish the sauce

• In the same pan, melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
• Pour in the sauce mixture and let it simmer for about 1 minute.
• Add the chicken back to the pan and coat it well in the sauce.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with rice, cucumbers, and bell peppers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Black Pepper Chicken Recipe

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Easy Black Pepper Chicken

Author: Allie Courses: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 15 mins Total Time 30 mins

Servings: 2 Calories: 430

Description

This Black Pepper Chicken recipe is one of those go-to meals that never fails. The chicken is pan-fried until golden, then coated in a bold, peppery sauce with onion and bell pepper. It’s savory, a little spicy, and totally addictive.

Ingredients

Cook Mode Cooking Mode Disabled

Servings

For the Chicken

• 2 pieces Chicken thighs Boneless, skin-on (skin on)
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch For coating the chicken
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil For frying the chicken
• ½ teaspoon Salt Sprinkle on before cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon Black pepper Sprinkle on before cornstarch

For the Sauce

• 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce Thick, salty, and savory
• 1 tablespoon Soy sauce Regular soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Sweet chili sauce Garlicky and sweet
• ½ teaspoon Garlic powder For flavor in the sauce
• ½ teaspoon Black pepper Add more if you love that bite
• ¼ teaspoon Chili flakes Optional, adds heat
• 2 tablespoons Water To mix and loosen the sauce

Instructions

1. Prep the chicken

   • Remove the bones from the chicken thighs but keep the skin on.
   • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
   • Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
   • Coat the chicken evenly with cornstarch.
   

1. Make the sauce

   • In a small bowl, mix together oyster sauce, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, chili flakes, and water.
   • Stir well until everything is combined.

1. Cook the chicken

   • Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
   • Place the chicken skin-side down and cook until golden and crispy on both sides.
   • Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

1. Finish the sauce

   • In the same pan, melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
   • Pour in the sauce mixture and let it simmer for about 1 minute.
   • Add the chicken back to the pan and coat it well in the sauce.
   • Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with rice, cucumbers, and bell peppers.
   

Nutrition Facts

Servings 2

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 430kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 26g40%

Saturated Fat 8g40%

Cholesterol 140mg47%

Sodium 950mg40%

Potassium 480mg14%

Total Carbohydrate 14g5%

Dietary Fiber 1g4%

Sugars 6g

Protein 32g64%

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Vitamin A 450 IU

Vitamin C 3 mg

Calcium 30 mg

Iron 2 mg

Vitamin D 20 IU

Vitamin E 1.2 IU

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

If you’re using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, the cook time might be a bit shorter. Just watch for that golden sear.

Keywords: black pepper chicken, stir fry chicken, quick Asian chicken recipe, pepper chicken stir fry, takeout chicken recipe, easy dinner, chicken with bell pepper, Chinese black pepper chicken

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