Black Pepper Chicken Quick Dinner: Ready in 10 Minutes

Looking for a quick and flavorful dinner idea? This Super Easy Black Pepper Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe from Dinner Quick Ideas is the perfect choice! Packed with color, flavor, and a little heat, this Chinese stir-fry is a hit for any night of the week.

The black pepper chicken recipe is our family’s favorite and a super delicious recipe. It is a perfect quick meal idea and choice. Packed with vibrant veggies, juicy chicken, and a kick of peppery heat, it’s ready in just 10 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights. It’s better than takeout and so simple to make!

Why You’ll Love This Black Pepper Chicken Recipe

• Quick, easy, and full of flavor
  
• Perfect for weeknights
  
• Better than takeout!

Quick, easy, and flavorful, this black pepper chicken recipe is your new go-to for weeknight dinners. In just 10 minutes, you can whip up a bold, peppery stir-fried Chinese black pepper chicken that’s bursting with color and juicy chicken. Even better than takeout, it’s the perfect choice when you want something fast, satisfying, and packed with homemade goodness — without the fuss.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Black Pepper Chicken Fry

For Marination:

500 chicken (boneless, cubed)

1 egg white

1 ½ tbsp cornflour

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp sugar

½ tsp black pepper

1 tbsp vinegar

For the Sauce:

2 tbsp oil

1 tbsp chopped garlic

230 ml water

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tsp soy sauce

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp chicken powder

½ tsp crushed black pepper

1 tsp oil

1 tsp sugar

For Vegetables:

45g onion (cubed)

50g capsicum (cubed)

30g green chilies (slit)

5 dried red chilies

50g cabbage (cubed)

Spring onions (for garnish)

For Thickening:

1 tbsp cornflour

3 tbsp water

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep Your Ingredients

Set up your ingredients like a “wok clock”—arranged in the order you’ll use them. This makes cooking faster and easier.

Chop your garlic, ginger, and spring onion. Cut your onion and peppers into big, bold chunks. Slice the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.

2. Marinate the Chicken

The second and most important step of the black pepper chicken recipe is marination: 

Start by marinating the chicken with vinegar, salt, black pepper, cornstarch, and egg whites. Mix everything well until the chicken is evenly coated. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes.

2. Fry the Chicken to Perfection

First, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. To ensure even cooking, fry the chicken pieces in small batches until they turn golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can make the chicken soggy. Once done, transfer the fried chicken to a plate and set it aside.

3. Prepare the Bold Black Pepper Sauce

Now, in the same pan, sauté finely chopped garlic until fragrant and lightly golden. Then, add the key sauce ingredients: oyster sauce, soy sauce, salt, freshly crushed black pepper (for that signature spice), sugar, and a splash of water. Let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes to blend the flavors beautifully.

Pro Tip: For an authentic black pepper chicken recipe, use coarsely ground pepper for a stronger aroma!

4. Thicken the Sauce to Glossy Perfection

Next, in a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water to create a slurry. Gradually pour this into the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Within seconds, you’ll see the sauce thicken into a rich, glossy coating—perfect for clinging to the chicken and veggies.

5. Combine Chicken & Vegetables

Time to bring everything together! Return the fried chicken to the pan, followed by colorful veggies like onion cubes, capsicum (bell peppers), cabbage, and button chilies for heat. For extra umami, sprinkle a pinch of chicken powder. Stir-fry on high heat for 2-3 minutes to retain the crunch of the vegetables while letting them soak up the spicy black pepper sauce.

6. Final Touches & Serving Suggestions

For a fresh kick, toss in slit green chilies and garnish with spring onions. Give it one final stir-fry on high heat to caramelize the sugars and lock in all the flavors.

Serve your restaurant-style black pepper chicken recipe hot with:

• Steamed jasmine rice
• Fried noodles
• Or a side of stir-fried greens!

 Pro Tips for Best Chinese Black Pepper Chicken 

• Keep the chicken skin on for added crisp and flavor.
  
• Use a smoking hot wok for the best stir-fry texture.
  
• Don’t overcrowd your pan; cook in batches if needed.
  
• Let the sauce reduce for natural thickness and intense flavor.

Nutritional Value for Black Pepper Chicken Fry Recipe

Estimated Serving Size: 1 serving (out of 4 total servings)

Nutrient	Value
Calories	270kcal
Protein	31g
Fat	22g
Fiber	4g
Sodium	1770g
Carbohydrates	18g

Black Pepper Chicken Fry can be considered a relatively healthy recipe, but it depends on the specific health goals you are aiming for. Here’s a breakdown:

Is Black Pepper Chicken Fry a Healthy Recipe?

1. High in Protein:
   
   • Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, which is great for muscle repair and maintaining overall health. A serving of this dish provides about 31g of protein, which is ideal for a high-protein diet.
     
2. Low in Carbohydrates:
   
   • This recipe is low in carbs, which makes it suitable for low-carb or keto diets. The only significant carbs come from the vegetables and the small amount of cornstarch used for thickening the sauce.
     
3. Vegetables:
   
   • The recipe includes a variety of vegetables like onions, capsicum, cabbage, and green chilies, which are full of essential vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, promoting digestive health.
     
4. No Artificial Additives:
   
   • The recipe uses natural ingredients like garlic, soy sauce, and oyster sauce (though in small amounts), which makes it healthier compared to some fast food or processed options.
     

Things to Consider Before Cooking Chicken Black Pepper 

High in Sodium:

• Due to the soy sauce, chicken powder, and oyster sauce, the dish is quite high in sodium. Excessive sodium intake can contribute to high blood pressure or other heart-related issues. To make it healthier, you can opt for low-sodium soy sauce or omit the chicken powder to reduce the salt content.
  

High in Fat:

• The dish contains 22g of fat per serving, primarily from the oil used for frying and cooking. While some fats are healthy, especially those from olive oil, it might be worth reducing the amount of oil or opting for a healthier cooking method like grilling or baking the chicken instead of frying.
  

Sugar Content:

• The dish includes a small amount of sugar to balance the flavors, but it can be reduced or replaced with natural sweeteners if you’re trying to limit sugar intake.

Tips for a Healthier Homemade Chicken Stir Fry

• Use less oil: Instead of deep frying, try sautéing the chicken and vegetables with less oil.
  
• Low-sodium soy sauce: Swap regular soy sauce with a low-sodium version to cut down on salt.
  
• Add more veggies: Increase the amount of veggies like broccoli, carrots, or spinach to make it more nutrient-dense.
  
• Replace sugar: You can reduce or omit the sugar and use natural sweeteners like stevia or honey for a healthier option.

Conclusion:

This Black Pepper Chicken Fry is a healthy recipe if consumed in moderation. It is packed with protein and veggies, making it a good choice for those looking for a high-protein, low-carb meal. However, to make it even healthier, consider reducing the sodium and fat content or using healthier cooking methods.