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Black Pepper Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breasts (or thighs), sliced against the grain into 1/4” (5 mm) thick pieces
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or soy sauce)
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (or soy sauce)
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce (or soy sauce)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, chopped (I used mixed colors)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
   Gather your chicken pieces and place them in a medium bowl. Pour in the light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch. With your hands, gently mix everything together until the chicken has a delicate coating. Let it sit and soak up the flavors for about 10 to 15 minutes—this short marination makes a world of difference in taste.

2. Step 2: Mix the Sauce Ingredients
   In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar, black pepper, and salt. Stir vigorously until everything is well blended. Set this mixture aside; you'll need it soon to bring the dish together with a rich, savory sauce.

3. Step 3: Sear the Chicken
   Heat up 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Lay the marinated chicken in the skillet, flattening it out with a spatula so each piece has its own space. Let it sizzle for about 30 seconds until the bottom turns a lovely golden brown.

4. Step 4: Cook the Chicken
   Flip the chicken pieces and let them cook for another 15 to 20 seconds, stirring occasionally. Aim for slightly browned surfaces, with the centers retaining a hint of pink. Move the chicken to a plate and set aside for later.

5. Step 5: Sauté Aromatics
   Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Toss in the minced ginger and garlic, giving them a quick stir until their fragrance dances in the air. This will only take a moment, so keep a close eye to avoid burning.

6. Step 6: Add Vegetables
   Introduce the chopped white onion and bell peppers into the skillet. Stir them around for about 20 seconds. You want the veggies to start softening while still retaining a bit of crunch for texture.

7. Step 7: Pour in the Sauce
   Give the sauce mixture another stir to ensure the cornstarch is completely dissolved. Pour it into the skillet, immediately stirring with your spatula to prevent lumps. Cook just until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon—this will only take a few seconds.

8. Step 8: Combine Chicken and Sauce
   Return the browned chicken to the skillet and toss everything together. Make sure each piece of chicken and every veggie is well-coated with the glossy sauce. This step ensures all the flavors meld beautifully.

9. Step 9: Final Touch
   Turn off the heat and swiftly transfer the contents to a big serving plate. This prevents overcooking, allowing the dish to maintain its perfect texture and flavor.

10. Step 10: Serve and Enjoy
    Present your black pepper chicken hot, as a tantalizing main dish. Whether served over rice or with a side of steamed veggies, savor each bite of this peppery, aromatic delight.

Notes

A frequent hiccup folks encounter with Black Pepper Chicken is overcooking the chicken. This transforms those juicy bites into chewy morsels. To sidestep this, keep a vigilant eye as you sear, flipping swiftly like a pro.

Another blunder is not allowing the cornstarch in the sauce to dissolve completely, leading to lumpy gravy instead of a silky, delightful sauce. Stir it like you're whisking a fluffy cloud until it's smooth.

And don’t forget, fresh black pepper is the star here—pre-ground just won’t have the same zing. Grind it fresh and generous for that perfect peppery punch!

Keywords: Spicy Pepper Chicken Recipe, Peppery Chicken Dish, Black Pepper Chicken Dish, Seasoned Pepper Chicken Recipe, Zesty Black Pepper Chicken