Black Pepper Chicken Fake-Out

Summer is almost here—now is not the time to abandon your nutrition goals. If you're after another healthier restaurant swap, @healthy_floflo has a Black Pepper Chicken recipe that makes the perfect alternative to Chinese takeout.

Jump to

• What is Black Pepper Chicken?
• What to Serve with Black Pepper Chicken
• Extra Toppings
• Equipment Needed
• Tips for Making Black Pepper Chicken
• Batch-Cook & Store Safely
• Make it Vegan
• Black Pepper Chicken Recipe
• FAQs
• Other Chicken Recipes

What is Black Pepper Chicken?

Black Pepper Chicken is a delicious Chinese-inspired dish consisting of a chicken stir fry with a savoury black pepper sauce. It's often served with onions and bell peppers for a mildly spicy yet vibrant flavour.

What to Serve with Black Pepper Chicken

Black pepper chicken goes great on a bed of white rice. You can also serve the chicken with rice noodles or Lo Mein for the perfect Asian-inspired meal.

Extra Toppings

This recipe already includes veggies like peppers and onion, but if you want to throw in some extra toppings, try broccoli, Bok Choy, fried shallots, or chopped scallions.

Equipment Needed

• Wok or large non-stick frying pan
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Tips for Making Black Pepper Chicken

• Prepare/chop all of your ingredients before you start cooking.
• Cook on a medium to high heat so your chicken gets seared and veggies stay crispy.
• The sauce thickens quickly once heated, so once you add it, stir it constantly to coat everything evenly.

Batch-Cook & Store Safely

You can easily batch-cook this meal; simply double or triple the recipe depending on how many servings you want (the current recipe makes two servings). If you're making rice, store your stir fry separately from the rice in airtight containers.

Your Black Pepper Chicken will last for up to four days in the fridge and 2-3 months in the freezer.

When you want to reheat your stir fry, you can pop it in the microwave or reheat on the stovetop.

Make it Vegan

To make this recipe vegan, adjust the following:

1. Replace the chicken with a vegan protein like tofu, tempeh, or seitan.
2. Replace the oyster sauce with a vegan version, or mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and a splash of mushroom broth.
3. Substitute the honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown sugar.
4. Ensure your cooking wine is vegan.

Black Pepper Chicken Recipe

Servings:  2 people

Prep time:  10 minutes

Cook time:  10 minutes

Ingredients

• Sauce Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp corn flour
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground if possible
• Chicken Ingredients:
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 yellow pepper
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 5 spring onions
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp oil

Instructions

1. In a jug, mix the sauce ingredients and set aside.

2. Chop the chicken into small cubes.

3. Chop the peppers and onions into chunky squares.

4. Chop the garlic and slice the spring onions.

5. Add oil to a large wok and cook the onions for 1 minute.

6. Add the chicken and cook for a few minutes, stirring regularly.

7. When the chicken is almost cooked, add all of the vegetables. Cook for just 2–3 minutes to keep the vegetables crunchy.

8. Add the sauce and stir until it thickens evenly.

9. This dish goes great served over rice (120g for two people). Serve and enjoy!

calories	466
totalFat	12
totalCarbohydrates	34
protein	53

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Yes! Chicken thighs will add a bit more fat and flavour. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they’re fully cooked.

What can I use instead of Chinese cooking wine?

You can use:

• Dry sherry

• Mirin (reduce the honey slightly)

• Omit it entirely, though the flavour depth may be reduced slightly.

Is this recipe spicy?

Not really. The black pepper adds warmth, but it’s not hot. You can add chili flakes or fresh chili for extra heat.

What vegetables can I substitute the peppers with?

If you don't like peppers, substitute with broccoli, sugar snap peas, carrots, or mushrooms (adjust your cooking time to keep the mushrooms crunchy).

Can I freeze it?

Freezing is possible, but the texture of the vegetables may become softer when reheated. For best results, freeze just the chicken and sauce, then add fresh veggies when reheating. You can freeze for up to 2-3 months.

How do I know when the sauce is thick enough?

It should coat the chicken and vegetables without pooling at the bottom. This usually takes 1–2 minutes after adding the sauce to the pan.

Other Chicken Recipes

For more chicken recipes, check these out:

Sticky Sesame Chicken

A sticky, sweet, and tangy dish with Asian inspiration, this sesame chicken is bursting with flavour and takes just 30 minutes to prep.

Protein-Packed Air-Fried Chicken Sandwich

A true classic with over 45 grams of protein; make it as spicy or mild as you like.

One-Pot Creamy Garlic Chicken & Rice

Deliciously creamy, over 45 grams of protein, and packed with some great greens to give you a boost of vitamins and minerals.