Easy Black Pepper Chicken
Discover a quick and flavorful Easy Black Pepper Chicken recipe that combines tender chicken pieces with a bold, spicy black pepper sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights and uses simple pantry ingredients for a comforting and versatile meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or sesame oil
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Pat the pieces dry to ensure a nice sear and toss with a pinch of salt and half of the freshly cracked black pepper.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sliced onions, then sauté until fragrant and slightly golden to form the flavorful base of the dish.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the skillet, stirring frequently to brown all sides evenly. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and slightly caramelized.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in soy sauce and honey or sugar, followed by the remaining black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken, coating the chicken beautifully.
- Finish and Garnish: Once the sauce has reduced to your liking, remove from heat. Sprinkle fresh green onions on top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Use freshly ground black pepper for the best aroma and kick.
- Pat chicken dry before cooking to prevent steaming and get a better sear.
- Adjust sweetness with honey or sugar to balance the pepper heat to your preference.
- Cook on high heat to lock in juices and develop a caramelized exterior.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld evenly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Black Pepper Chicken, quick chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, spicy chicken, easy chicken dish, gluten-free chicken recipe
Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/easy-black-pepper-chicken/