Description
A flavorful and spicy Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms recipe that combines tender chicken pieces with sautéed mushrooms in a savory black pepper sauce. This quick stir-fry dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner and pairs beautifully with rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 500g boneless chicken thighs or breasts, diced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (remaining from 3 tbsp total)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional)
- 2 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp coarse black pepper (adjust to taste)
Other Ingredients
- 200g mushrooms (button or cremini), halved or thickly sliced
- 2 tsp sesame oil (used in two steps: 1 tsp in marinade, 1 tsp for finishing)
- 1 red chili, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
- Chopped scallions or cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine diced chicken with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and let it marinate for 15 minutes to tenderize and flavor the chicken.
- Make the Sauce: In another small bowl, mix remaining 2 tbsp soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce (optional), dark soy sauce, and 1 tbsp coarse black pepper. Set this sauce mixture aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and sear until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Aromatics & Mushrooms: In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Sauté minced garlic, ginger, and chopped red chili (if using) for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the mushrooms and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until they turn golden brown and tender.
- Combine & Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the mushrooms. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and mushrooms and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is evenly coated and the sauce thickens slightly. Drizzle the remaining 1 tsp sesame oil over the dish and toss to combine.
- Serve: Garnish the finished Pepper Chicken with chopped scallions or cilantro and serve hot, ideally with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Adjust black pepper quantity according to your preferred spice level.
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier texture or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- Hoisin sauce is optional but adds a subtle sweetness to the dish.
- You can substitute mushrooms with shiitake or portobello for different flavor profiles.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
