Description
This Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is a flavorful and easy-to-make Asian-inspired stir-fry dish featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in soy and oyster sauce, then cooked with savory mushrooms, onions, and a punch of freshly ground black pepper. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner served over steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Vegetables and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2 cups mushrooms (button or cremini), sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or Chinese cooking wine
- 1 tablespoon water
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch. Toss well to coat the chicken evenly and let it marinate for 10–15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for 4–5 minutes until the pieces are browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add sliced onions and mushrooms, stir-frying for 3–4 minutes until they soften and develop a light golden color. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Pour in the remaining tablespoon of soy sauce, freshly ground black pepper, sugar, rice vinegar (or Chinese cooking wine), and water. Stir well to coat all ingredients with the sauce. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and flavors meld.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the black pepper chicken hot over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired for added color and texture.
Notes
- For an extra kick of heat, add a pinch of chili flakes during the stir-fry step.
- You can include bell peppers or snow peas to add color and crunch to the dish.
- Freshly ground black pepper is key to getting the signature bold flavor, so don’t skip it!
- If using chicken breasts, be careful not to overcook to keep them tender and juicy.
