Description
Rich black pepper chicken with mushrooms delivers a sensational blend of savory flavors that dance across your palate. Spicy, tender chicken pieces nestled with earthy mushrooms create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast
- 0.5 lbs chicken thighs
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 tbsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger (fresh)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp white pepper
Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:
- 8 oz white mushrooms
- 0.5 cup green onions
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp rice wine
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 0.25 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Trim chicken breasts and thighs, removing any excess fat or connective tissue, and slice into bite-sized, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Create a robust marinade by combining freshly ground black pepper, minced garlic, grated ginger, salt, and white pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with the prepared marinade, ensuring each morsel is well-seasoned. Let the meat absorb flavors for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
- Clean and slice white mushrooms into elegant, thin pieces that will cook quickly and absorb surrounding flavors.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it shimmers and appears slightly rippling.
- Carefully add marinated chicken to the hot pan, allowing pieces to sear and develop a golden-brown exterior without overcrowding the cooking surface.
- Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to promote even browning and prevent sticking.
- Introduce sliced mushrooms to the skillet, allowing them to caramelize and release their earthy essence alongside the chicken.
- Pour soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine, and chicken broth into the pan, creating a rich, glossy sauce that will coat the ingredients.
- Simmer the mixture for an additional 3-4 minutes, ensuring chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Drizzle sesame oil over the dish and garnish with finely chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Serve immediately, presenting the black pepper chicken with mushrooms over steamed rice or your preferred accompaniment.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts or thighs with minimal fat for leaner, tender results that cook evenly and quickly.
- Marinate chicken at room temperature to help spices penetrate deeply and create more intense flavor profiles.
- Keep mushroom slices uniform to ensure consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture or burning during sautéing.
- Prevent chicken from sticking by using a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet or non-stick pan with adequate oil temperature.
- Adjust black pepper quantity based on personal heat tolerance, ranging from mild to extra spicy preferences.
- Swap white wine or dry sherry for rice wine if unavailable, maintaining similar flavor complexity and depth.
- Create a gluten-free version by using tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and checking oyster sauce ingredients.
- Incorporate additional vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for increased nutritional variety and color contrast.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg