One Pot Black Pepper Chicken

3.94 from 131 votes

Weeknights just got spicy!

one-pot Indian black pepper chicken

This Southeast Asian One Pot Black Pepper Chicken dish is a spicy and savory delight. You’ll find the flavors of ginger, soy, and garlic play off one another perfectly, building a ton of flavor in a short amount of time. And you’ll love the way the black pepper emerges as the star in this incredibly flavorful, healthy one-pan dish.

Because this recipe only requires only one pot, clean-up is easier than ever! In fact, everything about this dish is simple. The prep only requires chopping a few veggies and whisking together a quick marinade. From there, you just need to choose your favorite pan and stir-fry it all up! Lean chicken is a healthy protein, and garlic and ginger are both known for their numerous health benefits.

This healthy meal makes a fabulous weeknight dinner that will have your kitchen smelling like a gourmet dream! Serve it up over brown rice or quinoa to create a complete meal packed full of protein. This One Pot Black Pepper Chicken dish will have you asking yourself why you need take-out when you can make a healthier version at home!

What is Chinese Black Pepper Chicken?

one pot meal

Black pepper chicken is a popular dish in many cuisines, particularly in Asian cuisine, and it is often found in Chinese, Thai, and Indian restaurants. The family favorite typically consists of small pieces of chicken that are stir-fried with a flavorful black pepper sauce and other ingredients.

What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Black Pepper Chicken?

Indian chicken recipe
  • Chicken breasts and chicken thighs. Boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs are commonly used, cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Red bell pepper. Adds color, taste, and texture.
  • Black pepper. Coarsely ground black pepper is a key seasoning for this dish, giving it its distinct flavor.
  • Fresh Ginger Root.
  • Garlic. Minced or finely chopped garlic & ginger enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
  • Soy Sauce. Used as a base for the sauce, providing saltiness and umami. Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended as a healthier option in lieu of regular soy sauce.
  • White Vinegar or Rice Vinegar.
  • Coconut Palm Sugar or Honey.
  • Olive Oil. A tablespoon of oil is needed to saute the veggies. (feel free to use sesame oil, which will help make that chicken a beautiful golden brown!)

Frequently Asked Questions

black pepper chicken

Are you ready to dive into the delicious world of black pepper chicken but have some questions? Let’s dig in!

How do I make the chicken crispier?

If you want chicken with crispier edges in your One Pot Black Pepper Chicken, we can make that happen! In our regular recipe, we have you add the chicken and all the juices to the pan. This creates an immensely flavorful sauce, but the chicken will turn out soft. That definitely works if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make dinner, but you can also make the chicken crispier if you have a little extra time.

To create a crispier chicken, sear the chicken without adding the juices. Cooking the chicken in oil over medium-high heat for five to six minutes is all you need to give the chicken an added boost of texture. To keep the chicken from getting soggy when you add the juices, cook them down separately in a small pot.

Once they’ve reduced by half, you can toss them with the crispy chicken and vegetables. This process creates another dish to clean, but it’s totally worth it.

Is this black pepper chicken recipe spicy?

Black pepper chicken has a peppery flavor but is not necessarily extremely spicy. The spiciness level can be adjusted based on the amount of black pepper used in the recipe, and that helps make it a delicious, easy meal that the whole family will love!

What dishes can I pair with black pepper chicken?

Black pepper chicken is often served with cooked rice or fried rice and is especially good over cauliflower rice for a healthy alternative. It also pairs well with noodles, such as chow mein or lo mein, for a delicious and satisfying meal the entire family will love. We also love adding extra veggies on the side for a good restaurant version!

Can I make black pepper chicken vegetarian?

Yes, black pepper chicken can be made vegetarian by substituting the chicken with tofu or other plant-based protein alternatives. The rest of the recipe can remain the same, adjusting the cooking time for the tofu as needed.

Is this one pot black pepper chicken stir fry gluten-free?

Black pepper chicken can be gluten-free if the sauces and soy sauce used in the recipe are gluten-free. Some soy sauce brands offer gluten-free options, so it’s essential to check the labels or use tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) as a substitute.

Can I adjust the spiciness of black pepper chicken?

Yes, you can adjust the spiciness of black pepper chicken by varying the amount of black pepper used in the recipe. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of black pepper, and if you enjoy it spicier, increase the quantity to suit your taste.

How do I store leftovers of black pepper chicken?

A great way to store your leftover one pot black pepper chicken for the next time is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be reheated in a skillet or microwave for 1-2 minutes before serving. Be sure to consume the leftovers within a few days for the best quality.

Let us know what you think in the comments! We always love hearing from you, especially if you have any helpful tips for making this recipe the best it can possibly be.

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Try this sweet and zesty slow cooker orange chicken the next time youre craving Chinese food!
3.94 from 131 votes

One-Pot Black Pepper Chicken

With amazing flavors, this one-pot chicken recipe is a cinch to throw together and clean up, plus its made with healthy ingredients everybody will enjoy.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Yield 6 people
Serving Size 1 cup
Course Dinner
Cuisine Asian
Author SkinnyMs.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless and skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes
  • 1 red bell pepper seeded and cut into strips
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 inch ginger root fresh, peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled and finely minced
  • 3 tablespoons lite soy sauce divided, optional coconut aminos, tamari or Bragg Liquid Aminos
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar divided
  • 1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar or honey
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Whisk together in a medium-sized bowl, half of the soy sauce, half of the vinegar, and the sweetener. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Place in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes.
  • Add oil to a skillet and heat to medium-low. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds, just until garlic is golden and fragrant, but not burnt.
  • Add the marinated chicken with any juices in the bowl and cook for 3 minutes. Add the bell pepper strips, remaining soy sauce and vinegar, and black pepper and stir. Cook for about 10 minutes until peppers have softened and chicken is cooked through.
  • Spoon chicken over or alongside brown rice or quinoa.

Notes

Tip: To have chicken with a crisper texture, sear on medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, without adding the extra marinade. Add the marinade to a small pot and cook down slightly until it thickens up a touch. You might try adding a little cornstarch for a thicker marinade. Then, add to the crusted chicken and other ingredients as stated in the directions.
 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 341mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g |
SmartPoints (Freestyle): 4
Keywords Diabetic-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Paleo

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The SkinnyMs. team believes that all people, regardless of age, size, and fitness level, have the power to transform their lives — they just need the resources to do so. The SkinnyMs. method promotes healthy living through a combination of clean eating and regular exercise. We offer everything you need to be successful.

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67 Comments

  1. I'm really enjoying the recipe ideas presented, however continue to be disappointed by the inclusion of sugar.

    I appreciate that Thai and Asian recipes do call for the use of palm sugar, however these countries also have an increasing population health issue of sugar related diabetes – as do we in the Western World.

    Just to clarify, I am not suggesting sugar substitutes – these are just as bad, if not worse. It would simply be great to see a health and fitness blog which is promoting healthy lifestyle to also support the omission, or at least significant reduction, of unnecessary sugars all together, especially in savoury food ideas.

    1. Ann, Of all the unrefined natural sweeteners, coconut palm sugar ranks one of the lowest on the glycemic index. It is a great alternative to sugar!

    2. Honestly, there is one tablespoon in the recipe. Of course indulging in too much sugar is not healthy for anyone, but one tablespoon is a pretty innocuous amount. Most people who ingest too much sugar do so in processed or fast foods, not homemade dishes made with whole foods. The same with salt.

      I appreciate your intent, but taking this site to task for the use of any sugars is kind of ridiculous.

      1. I absolutely agree with your post. Most people are killing themselves drinking soft drinks and juices. 1 T in this recipe is not nearly as harmful as a teaspoon of Equal, which is pure poison.

    3. Without the sugar the dish would be overwhelming in the salt depatment. You have to have a balance or it is just bad.

  2. I made this – was pretty bland. Wondering what I could add in the future to give it more flavor – or maybe it is supposed to be bland. (Never thought of Indian food as bland).

    1. I made something similar to this last night, except I added more ginger. I also put a good squeeze of lemon in, chili, onion powder and instead of olive oil I used sesame oil. The sesame oil gives it that rich authentic taste and I just prefer it over olive oil when making stir frys (or I use coconut oil as well). I also added unsalted cashews that I roasted in the oven prior, obviously the cashews will increase the fat/calorie content etc, but it's just sooo good 😉

    2. Some grated fresh ginger at the very end would add some zing. I love fresh ginger and it’s such a healthy addition.

  3. I made this and didn't find it bland at all!! It was delicious and very flavourful. I've shared this recipe with my friends and family.

  4. I just made this. And yes the chicken was pretty bland! Perhaps the marinade needs longer than 30 mins (although I let my chicken marinate for almost an hour). Also, my end result did NOT look like this photo. Perhaps the sauce darkening and caramelization varies depending on the sweetener and type liquid used (I used coconut aminos and coconut sugar) Maybe, the liquid aminos and honey would have made the sauce darker and thicker…… I had to do some serious tweaking. ( added a white onion, scallions

    1. Lori GT, It should work well in a crockpot. If you do make it that way, you can add more vegetables and a touch of liquid.

  5. this was wonderful! Right before I served the dish i put in a teaspoon of peanut butter for a more nuttier taste, but this is going to be a staple in my home.

  6. Wonderful recipe. Since you didn't state the amount, I've added 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. It was delicious. Thank you.

    1. The recipe calls for 1 1/2 teaspoons of black pepper, but you can adjust that for taste. We're glad you enjoyed the dish!

  7. Made this tonight, and it was a big hit. I think there was tons of flavor. Now I don’t have to get
    Black pepper chicken at Panda Express. I’ll just make my own now.

  8. This sounds amazing, but i have thawed out boneless pork chops, I might have to try it just to see if it would be just as good.

  9. I made this and it didn’t look anything like the photo. In the photo it’s a very dark red. It tasted pretty good. Nice for a light weekday meal but not special enough for company. It doesn’t taste “Indian” to me though. Garlic and ginger are the start of a lot of Indian dishes, but there really wasn’t anything else that would make me think it was Indian. It tasted more like a North American Chinese dish.

  10. I just made this and it was a HUGE hit with everyone (including our 18-month-old and 3-year-old boys)! I cooked at a higher temperature to thicken the sauce and it turned out just like the picture. Thanks for giving us a new favorite!

  11. I followed the recipe, no bland chickenk it was w9nderful. Thanks so much for sharing. Will definitely try this again.

  12. Tried this dish last night and it was delicious. Very flavorful! I didn’t have much sauce so we just added more soy sauce to our individual servings!

  13. Could I substitute ground ginger for the fresh? What would the conversion be? Just trying to use what I have on hand…

    1. Yes, you can substitute 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger for each tablespoon of fresh. A one-inch section of fresh ginger equates to about a tablespoon.

  14. I going to try this tonight I doubt I’ll get a response by then but would this be good if I added sugar snap peas at the time I add the red pepper? Also has anyone tried this in a wok how would that work?

    1. Sorry we didn’t get to your comment sooner, Bobby! Yes, you can add snap peas at the same time as the red pepper. This would be a delicious addition! Let us know how your meal turned out.

  15. This is a great week night meal! Our whole family loved this. We were generous with the ginger, garlic and black pepper. We added celery (like Panda Express which I love) and some snap peas to the red peppers, and half an onion. The black pepper is kind of a slow after burn so it provides some “interest” for the adults but it’s not so spicy that our 10 and 13 year old kids couldn’t handle it. Honey is always a preferable choice for our family vs. sugar. And we turned it up to med-high cooking temperature after we cooked the garlic and ginger. Our version was saucier than the photo but we used all that sauce on the rice! Yum!

  16. This recipe was great. Everyone liked it. My boyfriend said it was a keeper recipe. It has great flavor. Will definitely make it again. Thank u. Can’t wait to try a few more of these recipes

  17. Just made this. Huge hit with my hubby. I subbed avocado and sesame oils, added yellow and red peppers plus red onion, rice vinegar and I used the aminos. SUPER delish! Like the suggestions for tasted cashews or chunky pb. ?

  18. This recipe was great as I was looking for a recipe similar to the black pepper chicken dish in our local indian restaurant. I did add some green peppers as well and lots of small chestnut button mushrooms. I also added a bit more of the dark soya sauce and just a little less sugar. I also use white balsamic vinegar, It was delicious and very very close to the dish we always choose in our local indian restaurant

  19. I have made this a few times now and my whole family loves it! However, it never looks like yours and I follow the recipe exactly. Is there something I could do to get that crusty, gooey, delicious look? Mine seems to be a tad more runny, still delicious but runny.

    1. Amanda, You might try searing the chicken cubes, using a higher temperature, just be sure not to burn. Also, add less of the liquid when searing. Sometimes I like to heat most of the marinade in a small pot, separately from the chicken, and cook down until it’s a little thicker. That should do the trick.

    1. Hi Natasha! I double checked the recipe and 2 Freestyle SmartPoints is correct! I’ve updated the recipe. Thank you!

  20. Has anyone substituted white vinegar for Apple Cider Vinegar, or Rice wine vinegar? It seems to me that with that substitution as well as Sesame oil, it might be a bit more authentic in flavor.

    1. You can definitely substitute the white vinegar for another. The vinegar substitutions won’t change the flavor. Changing the oil to sesame oil will change the flavor, however traditionally peanut oil would be used. We try to use olive oil for most of our recipes but feel free to adapt to your personal preferences.

  21. I have made this twice and it was amazing so much flavour. I did however cut down on the pepper when I made it the second time and it still has a kick. I only used a 1/2 Tbsp of Olive Oil because I feel 2 Tbsp would make it to greasy.

  22. This recipe is 5 stars!!! Followed recipe exactly (maybe a bit more honey) but was absolutely DELICIOUS! Served over white rice…my family is BEGGING me to make again! TYSM ❤️

  23. Sorry I forgot to actually rate 😂let me try again…5 stars allllllll the way! I’ll be making this recipe on the weekly 😋5 stars

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