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Black Pepper Chicken with rice and red bell peppers, garnished with sesame seeds in a bowl.

Black Pepper Chicken

Tender chicken pieces marinated and cooked with aromatic black pepper and savory sauce. This Asian-inspired dish delivers bold flavors with a perfect balance of heat and umami.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper coarsely ground
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
For the Sauce
  • 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp white sugar
  • 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper coarsely ground
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
For Assembly
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil for spraying
  • 1 medium green bell pepper cut into strips
  • 1 medium red bell pepper cut into strips
  • 1 medium onion sliced
  • 3 stalks green onions chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring Cups
  • Whisk

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken pieces with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, 2 tsp black pepper, and minced garlic. Mix thoroughly until all chicken is well coated. Let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
Prepare the Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together dark soy sauce, chicken broth, sugar, 1 tbsp black pepper, and sesame oil. Set aside.
Cook in Air Fryer
  1. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Spray the air fryer basket with vegetable oil.
  2. Place marinated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
  3. Add bell peppers and onions to the basket with the chicken. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, shaking once during cooking.
  4. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Cook for 2 more minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats everything well.
Final Assembly
  1. Remove from air fryer and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately over steamed rice.

Notes

For best results, use coarsely ground black pepper rather than fine powder. The chicken can be marinated up to 2 hours in advance for deeper flavor. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.