Description
Spicy black pepper chicken from Southern India delights palates with complex flavor profiles. Tender meat mingles with aromatic spices, promising a culinary journey you will savor until the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
Cooking and Garnish Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or sesame oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, grated
- 2–3 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Marinate chicken pieces with cornstarch, soy sauce, and salt, allowing flavors to penetrate for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Preheat skillet to medium-high heat with cooking oil, searing chicken until golden brown and crispy on all exterior surfaces. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, introduce sliced onions, diced bell peppers, minced garlic, and grated ginger, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until vegetables become aromatic and slightly translucent.
- Reintroduce browned chicken into the vegetable mixture, incorporating black pepper sauce components and adjusting seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Continue cooking and tossing ingredients for 3-4 minutes, ensuring sauce thoroughly coats chicken and reaches a glossy, slightly thickened consistency.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle freshly chopped green onions across the dish for a vibrant finishing touch and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Cornstarch coating helps create a crispy exterior and locks in the chicken’s moisture, ensuring each bite is tender and flavorful.
- Marinating the chicken for 10 minutes allows the soy sauce to penetrate deeply, enhancing the overall taste profile of the dish.
- Use freshly ground black pepper for a more intense and aromatic flavor that elevates the entire recipe.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the same savory depth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg