Description
Sizzling Black Pepper Chicken with Crisp Veggies is a vibrant and flavorful stir-fry dish featuring tender marinated chicken thighs cooked with a medley of fresh vegetables and a savory garlic soy glaze. This quick and easy Asian-inspired recipe delivers a perfect balance of spicy black pepper and sweet-salty umami notes, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp cracked black pepper
For the Garlic Soy Glaze
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar or mirin
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp cornstarch
For the Stir Fry
- 2 tbsp neutral oil (like avocado or canola)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small zucchini, cut into half-moons
- ½ cup snow peas or broccoli florets (optional)
- Fresh cilantro or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced chicken with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, and cracked black pepper. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Prepare Garlic Soy Glaze: In a separate bowl, whisk together low-sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, water, freshly ground black pepper, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat the Oil: Heat 2 tablespoons of neutral oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add minced garlic and sliced onion to the pan. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the onions begin to soften.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken to the pan. Stir-fry until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Vegetables: Introduce the sliced red and green bell peppers, zucchini, and snow peas or broccoli florets. Stir-fry everything together until the vegetables are crisp-tender, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Combine with Glaze: Pour the prepared garlic soy glaze over the chicken and vegetables. Stir continuously to coat evenly and allow the sauce to thicken, cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh cilantro or chopped green onions, and serve hot over steamed rice or noodles as desired.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight will enhance the flavor even more.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper according to your preferred spice level.
- Substitute honey with brown sugar or maple syrup for a vegan option, and use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free needs.
- The vegetables can be varied based on seasonality or personal preference, such as adding snap peas, carrots, or mushrooms.
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice or your favorite grain to complete the meal.
