Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is a savory and flavorful stir-fry dish, perfect for a weeknight meal. Tender chicken is cooked in a sauce with earthy mushrooms, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a bold kick of freshly ground black pepper. This dish is easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, making it the ideal meal for busy nights. Pair it with rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice for a healthy, balanced dinner.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 onion, chopped
2 cups sliced mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, or button mushrooms)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
¼ cup water
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Green onions, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Prepare the Chicken:
- Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips. Toss the chicken in a bowl with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook for 5-7 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
Sauté the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the chopped onion and sliced mushrooms, cooking for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
Make the Sauce:
- Add the minced garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and water to the skillet. Stir and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
Combine the Chicken and Sauce:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat the chicken with the sauce. Heat for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Season and Serve:
- Season the dish with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with green onions if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

Calories: 280 kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 3g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 12.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Sodium: 650mg
Cholesterol: 75mg

A Perfect Balance of Savory and Spicy

The key to the deliciousness of Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is the balance between the savory ingredients and the bold spice of black pepper. The chicken is marinated in a simple coating of cornstarch, salt, and pepper before being cooked in a flavorful sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. The mushrooms absorb the sauce beautifully, adding an earthy richness to the dish that complements the savory chicken.

The freshly ground black pepper is the star of this recipe. It adds a bold, aromatic heat that is both warming and flavorful. The heat is not overwhelming but provides a lovely kick that enhances the overall taste. By using freshly ground black pepper, you achieve a more intense, fragrant flavor, which elevates the dish and makes it stand out from other stir-fry recipes.

The Perfect Weeknight Meal

Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is the ideal meal for a busy weeknight. With preparation and cooking time totaling less than 30 minutes, it’s a quick and easy dish that doesn’t require any complicated techniques. The ingredients are simple and pantry-friendly, making this recipe accessible for anyone looking for a flavorful and filling dinner.

What makes this dish especially convenient is that it’s made in one skillet. After browning the chicken and sautéing the vegetables, you simply add the sauce ingredients and let everything cook together for a few minutes. This makes clean-up a breeze, which is always a plus when you’re short on time but still want to enjoy a homemade meal.

The Versatility of Mushrooms

Mushrooms are the perfect addition to Black Pepper Chicken. Their earthy, meaty flavor and tender texture provide the perfect contrast to the juicy chicken. Depending on your preference or availability, you can use a variety of mushrooms, such as cremini, shiitake, or button mushrooms. Each variety brings a slightly different flavor profile, but all work well with the savory sauce.

Mushrooms also bring a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to the dish. They are rich in B-vitamins, such as riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid, which support energy production and metabolism. Additionally, mushrooms contain selenium, an important antioxidant that helps protect the body from oxidative damage.

The Importance of the Sauce

The sauce in Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is what ties the entire dish together. It’s a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil, which adds depth and richness to the dish. Soy sauce gives the dish its salty, umami flavor, while the oyster sauce adds sweetness and complexity. Sesame oil contributes a nutty, aromatic flavor that enhances the other ingredients and rounds out the sauce.

The addition of water to the sauce helps to thin it out slightly, creating just the right consistency to coat the chicken and mushrooms without making the dish too soupy. The garlic adds an extra layer of fragrance and flavor, making the sauce aromatic and delicious.

Cooking the Chicken

The chicken is sliced into thin strips before being cooked, ensuring it cooks quickly and evenly. By tossing the chicken in a bit of cornstarch, you help it develop a golden brown sear when it hits the pan. The cornstarch also helps thicken the sauce as it simmers, making it cling to the chicken and mushrooms beautifully.

Once the chicken is cooked through and has a nice sear, it’s removed from the skillet to allow the vegetables to cook. The onions and mushrooms are sautéed in the same pan, soaking up the flavorful bits left behind by the chicken. This step ensures that the vegetables are infused with all of the savory, umami goodness from the chicken and sauce.

Serving Suggestions: Pairing with Rice, Noodles, or Cauliflower Rice

Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is versatile when it comes to what you serve it with. Traditionally, stir-fried chicken dishes like this one are paired with steamed rice. The rice soaks up the flavorful sauce, making each bite even more delicious. You can also serve the dish over noodles for a more hearty option. The noodles provide a satisfying, chewy texture that complements the tender chicken and vegetables.

For those looking for a lighter, lower-carb option, cauliflower rice is an excellent substitute. It’s a great way to enjoy the flavors of the dish while keeping it more nutrient-dense and lower in carbohydrates. The cauliflower rice absorbs the sauce just like regular rice, making it an ideal complement to the savory chicken and mushrooms.

Nutritional Benefits

This dish is not only flavorful but also provides a good balance of nutrients. The chicken provides a lean source of protein, while the mushrooms and vegetables add fiber and antioxidants. The dish is also low in carbohydrates, especially when paired with cauliflower rice, making it a great option for those on a low-carb or keto diet.

The inclusion of sesame oil adds a healthy dose of unsaturated fats, which support heart health. Additionally, the garlic, onions, and mushrooms are rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from inflammation and oxidative stress. Overall, this dish provides a healthy balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making it a well-rounded and nutritious meal.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is the kind of dish that satisfies all your cravings. It’s savory, a bit spicy, and packed with umami flavors that will leave you coming back for more. The tenderness of the chicken and the earthiness of the mushrooms create a harmonious combination that works perfectly together. Plus, the sauce is simple yet delicious, tying everything together with its rich and fragrant flavors.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or preparing a meal for your family, this dish is sure to be a hit. Its versatility makes it a great option for any night of the week, and it’s easy to prepare, even on your busiest days. With simple ingredients and a quick cooking time, Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is a dinner option that you’ll love making over and over again.

Conclusion

Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is the perfect weeknight meal—quick, easy, and bursting with flavor. The combination of savory chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a bold, fragrant sauce makes this stir-fry both satisfying and delicious. It’s a versatile dish that can be paired with rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice, depending on your preferences. The simplicity of the recipe, combined with the depth of flavor, makes this dish a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious, nutritious dinner option.

The savory, slightly spicy sauce with a hint of sesame oil and garlic makes this dish special, while the mushrooms and chicken provide the perfect texture and flavor balance. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or friends, this dish will leave everyone satisfied. So, next time you’re looking for a quick, hearty dinner, give Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms a try—you won’t be disappointed!

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