Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms
Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is a quick and flavorful one-pan dish combining tender chicken pieces and earthy mushrooms in a rich, peppery sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it delivers a bold, balanced taste that’s nutritious, satisfying, and perfect for any occasion, from busy weeknights to relaxed weekend dinners.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if tamari is used instead of soy sauce and cornstarch is gluten-free)
Proteins
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, sliced into bite-sized strips
Vegetables
- 8 oz fresh button or cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced if large
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings & Sauces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, to taste)
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable or canola oil)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Slice the chicken into bite-sized strips and clean the mushrooms. Thinly slice the onion and mince the garlic to ensure even and quick cooking.
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the sliced chicken with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Let it sit for 10 minutes to lock in flavors and promote tenderness.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until it’s almost cooked through and golden on the outside. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Mushrooms: In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Add the sliced onions and minced garlic and cook until fragrant and translucent. Then add the mushrooms and stir-fry until they release moisture and begin to brown.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the chicken to the pan and mix well with the mushrooms and onions. Add the remaining soy sauce, freshly ground black pepper to taste, and a splash (about 1/4 cup) of water or chicken broth. Stir to combine and allow the sauce to thicken slightly as it simmers.
- Final Seasoning: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt, additional black pepper, or soy sauce if desired. Once the sauce clings nicely to the chicken and mushrooms, remove from heat and let it rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Always use freshly ground black pepper for the most vibrant flavor and aroma.
- Cook over medium-high heat to quickly sear and lock in juices.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure ingredients brown properly instead of steaming.
- Make a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with cold water before adding to the sauce for perfect thickness.
- Allow the dish to rest off heat for a few minutes to let flavors meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: black pepper chicken, chicken with mushrooms, quick chicken stir fry, one pan chicken, black pepper sauce, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner