Weeknights just got spicy!
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?
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?
- 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
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
One-Pot Black Pepper Chicken
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
Nutrition Information
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Have you made this one pot black pepper chicken recipe? Let us know in the comments section!
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I put it in the recipe builder on the app and it said it was only 2 smart points
Hi Natasha! I double checked the recipe and 2 Freestyle SmartPoints is correct! I’ve updated the recipe. Thank you!
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.
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.
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.
We’re glad to hear you loved the recipe, Dannette!
Delicious.. served this great dish over Chinese egg noodles stir fried in oyster sauce.
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 ❤️
Aimee, YEAH!!! When you get a minute please leave a review.
Sorry I forgot to actually rate 😂let me try again…5 stars allllllll the way! I’ll be making this recipe on the weekly 😋
Aimee, Thank you so very much for the feedback.