Spicy Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms Recipe: Weeknight Magic

Sizzling black pepper chicken with mushrooms promises a culinary adventure that sparks excitement in your kitchen.

Bold flavors dance across your taste buds with each tender bite.

Home cooks marvel at how simple ingredients can create such remarkable depth.

The combination of earthy mushrooms and robust pepper creates a symphony of taste sensations.

Crisp chicken pieces nestle among golden-brown mushroom slices, promising a meal that feels both comforting and exotic.

Weeknight dinners transform into gourmet experiences with this straightforward yet impressive recipe.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this delectable dish.

Why Black Pepper Chicken With Mushrooms Hits The Spot

• Speedy Flavor Explosion: Black pepper chicken delivers a punch of bold, zesty taste in just 25 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
• Texture Harmony Haven: Combining crispy golden chicken, tender mushrooms, and silky sauce creates a delightful mix of textures that dance together in every single bite.
• Easy Cooking Adventure: This recipe requires minimal cooking skills, uses simple ingredients, and offers restaurant-quality results that will impress family and friends without complicated techniques.
• Versatile Meal Champion: Adaptable to different vegetable preferences, easily scalable for more servings, and compatible with rice or noodles, this dish provides endless customization options for different taste buds.

What You’ll Need For Black Pepper Chicken With Mushrooms

• Chicken: Tender protein base of the dish, boneless and skinless works best, choose fresh and high-quality meat.
• Black Pepper: Robust spice that provides sharp, warm flavor and aromatic heat to the chicken.

• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce: Umami-rich condiments that add depth and saltiness to the dish.
• Rice Vinegar: Provides a subtle tangy brightness to balance the rich flavors.
• Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness and helps caramelize the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Enhances overall liquid consistency and adds subtle savory notes.

• Mushrooms, Bell Pepper: Fresh vegetables that provide texture and earthy undertones, white or cremini mushrooms work well.
• Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Classic aromatic trio that builds a flavor foundation, fresh ingredients recommended.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds color and mild onion crispness.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for high-heat cooking and preventing sticking.
• Cornstarch: Helps tenderize chicken and thicken sauce with a silky texture.

How To Make Black Pepper Chicken With Mushrooms

Step 1: Marinate the Protein

• Soy sauce
• Cornstarch
• Freshly ground black pepper

Let the chicken soak up these magical flavors for 10-15 minutes while you prep everything else.

Step 2: Create the Flavor Explosion

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar
• Cracked black pepper
• Chicken broth

Set this flavor bomb aside and get ready for some cooking magic.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat up your skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the marinated chicken and cook until it turns golden and beautiful. You want those pieces crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked inside. Once done, scoop out the chicken and set it aside.

Step 4: Dance with the Vegetables

Splash more oil into the same skillet. Welcome the mushrooms and let them sizzle until they turn golden and release their incredible aroma. Invite the onion, garlic, ginger, and bell pepper to the party. Stir-fry these friends until they’re tender and fragrant.

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

Welcome the chicken back to the skillet. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and toss until each piece is gloriously coated. Let everything simmer and get to know each other for a few minutes.

Step 6: Serve and Celebrate

Sprinkle some sliced green onions on top for a fresh kick. Serve this masterpiece over steamed rice or noodles. Watch as everyone at the table gets excited about this mouth-watering dish.

Tips To Cook Black Pepper Chicken With Mushrooms Right

• Speed Up Marination: Let chicken absorb soy sauce mixture quickly by cutting pieces into uniform sizes, ensuring even flavor penetration and faster marinating process.
• Mushroom Moisture Management: Pat mushrooms dry before cooking to prevent excess water release, helping them brown perfectly and maintain a crisp texture in the stir-fry.
• Sauce Thickness Control: Adjust cornstarch quantity in sauce to achieve desired consistency – less for a lighter coating, more for a thicker glaze that clings to chicken and vegetables.
• Vegetable Crunch Preservation: Stir-fry vegetables briefly to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant colors, preventing them from becoming soggy or losing nutritional value.
• Protein Swap Flexibility: Easily substitute chicken with tofu, beef, or shrimp while keeping the same delicious black pepper sauce and cooking technique.

How To Store And Reheat Black Pepper Chicken With Mushrooms

• Refrigerate: Transfer the chicken and mushrooms to an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Cool Down: Allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature before storing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain food safety.
• Reheat Carefully: Warm the leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent sticking.
• Microwave Option: If using a microwave, cover the dish with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure consistent temperature throughout the meal.

Best Pairings For Black Pepper Chicken With Mushrooms

• Elevate with Crisp White Wine: Pair this black pepper chicken with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, whose bright acidity cuts through the dish's rich, peppery flavors and complements the mushrooms' earthiness.
• Match with Refreshing Asian Beer: Grab a cold Tsingtao or Asahi beer to balance the dish's spiciness, with its light, crisp profile providing a smooth counterpoint to the robust black pepper and savory chicken.
• Complement with Jasmine Rice Pilaf: Serve the chicken over fragrant jasmine rice, which absorbs the delicious sauce and offers a delicate, slightly floral backdrop that enhances the dish's complex flavor profile.
• Cool Down with Cucumber Salad: Add a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil on the side, creating a light, refreshing contrast to the rich, peppery main course and cleansing the palate between bites.

Twists You Can Try With Black Pepper Chicken With Mushrooms

• Spicy Pepper Kick: Add red chili flakes or sriracha sauce to the marinade for an extra heat boost that tingles your taste buds.
• Creamy Mushroom Fusion: Blend heavy cream into the sauce for a richer, more luxurious texture that softens the black pepper's sharp edge.
• Herbal Green Refresh: Incorporate fresh chopped cilantro or Thai basil during the final cooking stage to introduce a bright, aromatic element that complements the pepper's warmth.
• Veggie Power Upgrade: Replace half the chicken with extra vegetables like zucchini, snow peas, or baby corn to create a more diverse and nutritious dish that maintains the original recipe's robust flavor profile.

Questions About Black Pepper Chicken With Mushrooms

• What makes black pepper chicken different from other chicken stir-fry recipes?

Black pepper chicken stands out because of its bold, spicy flavor profile created by the generous use of black pepper in both the marinade and sauce, giving it a distinctive peppery kick that sets it apart from milder stir-fry dishes.

• Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breast works perfectly in this recipe. Just be careful not to overcook it, as breast meat can dry out more quickly than thighs. Cut the chicken into uniform pieces and watch the cooking time closely to keep it tender and juicy.

• Is this dish considered spicy?

While the recipe uses black pepper, it’s more about a robust, peppery flavor rather than intense heat. The black pepper provides a warm, slightly sharp taste without being overwhelmingly spicy, making it suitable for most palates.

• Do I need special equipment to make this recipe?

No special equipment is required. A standard large skillet or wok, a few mixing bowls, and basic kitchen utensils are all you need to create this delicious black pepper chicken dish.

Black Pepper Chicken With Mushrooms Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savor spicy Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms, a delightful culinary journey blending bold Asian flavors with tender chicken and earthy mushrooms. Comfort meets excitement in this easy skillet dish that promises a memorable meal packed with robust seasonings and delicious textures.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 cups (200g) mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini work well)
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, minced or grated
• ½ red bell pepper, sliced (optional)
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Sauce and Marinade Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for marinade)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for marinade)
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (for marinade)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (for sauce)
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (adjust to taste)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth or water

Cooking Ingredient:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Infuse chicken pieces with a robust marinade of soy sauce, cornstarch, and freshly ground black pepper. Allow flavors to meld and penetrate the meat for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
2. Craft a dynamic sauce by whisking together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, additional black pepper, and chicken broth until smooth and well-integrated.
3. Ignite a large skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Carefully introduce marinated chicken, searing until a golden exterior develops and meat is thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a waiting plate.
4. Without cleaning the skillet, introduce fresh oil and tumble in mushrooms. Sauté until moisture evaporates and edges caramelize. Incorporate aromatic elements like onion, garlic, ginger, and bell pepper, creating a fragrant vegetable medley.
5. Reunite the cooked chicken with the vegetable ensemble. Stream the prepared sauce over the mixture, gently tossing to ensure uniform coating. Simmer briefly, allowing sauce to reduce and cling luxuriously to ingredients.
6. Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of freshly sliced green onions. Serve immediately atop steamed rice or delicate noodles, presenting a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Notes

• Ensure chicken pieces are uniformly cut for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Marinate chicken for no longer than 15 minutes to prevent the meat from becoming too salty or tough from the soy sauce.
• Choose fresh, firm mushrooms like shiitake or cremini for maximum flavor and a meaty texture that complements the chicken.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and use cornstarch certified gluten-free to maintain the recipe’s integrity.
• Add extra heat by incorporating a teaspoon of chili flakes or a dash of sriracha sauce during the sauce preparation for spice lovers.
• Make the dish lighter by using chicken breast instead of thighs and reducing oil quantity while using a non-stick pan for minimal added fat.
• Prep all ingredients beforehand to ensure quick and smooth cooking, as stir-frying requires rapid and continuous movement.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 70mg