If you’re craving a dish that’s bold, colorful, and bursting with flavor, this Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe is destined to become a regular in your dinner rotation. With juicy strips of chicken tossed with crisp bell peppers, sweet onions, and a savory, pepper-infused sauce, every bite delivers the perfect balance of heat, umami, and freshness. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the ultimate answer for busy weeknights, delivering the kind of taste you’d expect from your favorite takeout—only fresher and even more satisfying. Give it a try, and watch this speedy stir-fry earn a permanent spot at your family table!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe so special is how a handful of ingredients come together to create a knockout dish. Each item not only builds incredible layers of flavor but also adds beautiful color and texture to your plate—don’t skip the little details, as they really make this recipe shine!
- Chicken breasts: Thinly sliced for fast, juicy cooking and absorbs the sauce beautifully.
- Soy sauce: Adds deep savoriness and serves as the base of the marinade.
- Cornstarch: Helps tenderize the chicken and creates a silky mouthfeel.
- Oyster sauce: Delivers a rich, slightly sweet umami depth you don’t want to miss.
- Hoisin sauce: Adds a touch of sweetness and an irresistible glossy finish.
- Rice vinegar: Lifts the flavors with a hint of tang for balance.
- Black pepper: Essential for the signature “peppery” note—freshly ground tastes best.
- White pepper: Brings a subtly different heat and aromatic dimension.
- Vegetable oil: Perfect for high-heat stir-frying and keeps everything sizzling.
- Red bell pepper: Adds a pop of color and natural sweetness.
- Green bell pepper: Brings crunch and a fresh, grassy flavor.
- Yellow onion: Lends gentle sweetness and softens as it cooks.
- Garlic: Infuses the stir-fry with unmistakable warmth and depth.
- Fresh ginger: Adds zesty brightness and a touch of spice.
- Green onions: Offer a crisp, herbal garnish to finish the dish.
- Steamed rice (optional): The perfect base for soaking up all the saucy goodness.
How to Make Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Toss your thinly sliced chicken breasts with soy sauce and cornstarch in a medium bowl. This quick 10-minute marinade works wonders, locking in moisture and helping every bite come out ultra-tender, while the soy sauce starts infusing flavor deep into the meat.
Step 2: Mix the Stir-Fry Sauce
Whisk together oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, black pepper, and white pepper in a small bowl. This magical blend is what gives this Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe its signature kick and glossy finish—you’ll love the balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat half the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add your marinated chicken and stir-fry for 4–5 minutes until it’s browned and cooked through. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and keep it handy for later.
Step 4: Cook the Vegetables
In the same skillet, pour in the remaining oil and toss in your sliced red and green bell peppers along with the onion. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes—just until they’re crisp-tender and vibrant. Now, add the garlic and ginger, and give it another minute; their aroma will tell you when they’re perfectly cooked.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Return the chicken to the pan and pour that irresistibly fragrant sauce right over everything. Toss well to ensure every bite is coated, and let it bubble for another 1–2 minutes so the flavors mingle and everything gets piping hot. Sprinkle with sliced green onions for a fresh burst at the end.
How to Serve Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
Garnishes
The finishing touches make all the difference! Scatter a handful of extra sliced green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and color. A light dusting of freshly cracked black pepper just before serving really highlights the “peppery” character of this recipe.
Side Dishes
You can never go wrong serving your Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe over a bed of fluffy steamed rice—perfect for soaking up every last drop of sauce. For a lighter option, try pairing it with cauliflower rice or a crisp side salad. Quick sautéed bok choy or snap peas make lovely green accompaniments as well.
Creative Ways to Present
Hosting a dinner? Spoon the stir-fry into individual bowls over rice for a modern, bistro-style presentation. You can also wrap the peppery chicken and veggies into lettuce cups for a playful, low-carb twist that’s great for sharing. Or, serve family-style on a big platter so everyone can help themselves—perfect for gatherings!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftovers of your Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. It’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 3 days. If you’re storing with rice, keep them in separate containers so both retain their best texture.
Freezing
This dish freezes nicely! Let it cool completely before portioning into freezer-safe bags or containers. It’s helpful to freeze the chicken and veggies without rice, so you can reheat everything without any sogginess. Label with the date and try to enjoy within 2 months for peak flavor.
Reheating
For best results, reheat the stir-fry gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce if needed. The microwave works in a pinch, too—just cover loosely and reheat in short bursts, stirring often to keep the chicken juicy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are fantastic here—they’re a bit juicier and just as flavorful, making your Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe extra succulent and tender.
Is this dish spicy?
This recipe is more peppery than spicy, with plenty of black and white pepper for a zesty kick. If you love heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or toss in a sliced chili pepper when cooking the veggies.
Can I add more vegetables?
Yes! Feel free to toss in mushrooms, snap peas, broccoli, or even carrots. The Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe is endlessly adaptable—just make sure not to overcrowd the pan so everything stays crisp.
What’s the best way to slice the chicken?
For the quickest, most even cooking, slice your chicken breasts thinly against the grain. It helps to use a sharp knife, and slicing while the chicken is still slightly frozen makes the task even easier.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Definitely. Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce, and check that your oyster and hoisin sauces are wheat-free. With those swaps, your Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe can fit gluten-free diets beautifully.
Final Thoughts
Once you see how fast, fresh, and irresistible this Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe turns out, you’ll want to whip it up again and again. Whether you’re feeding hungry teens or impressing guests, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that proves just how tasty homemade can be. Give it a try this week and savor every peppery, saucy bite!
Print
Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Peppery Chicken Stir-Fry recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken slices with a medley of peppers and savory sauces. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, this Asian-inspired stir-fry is easy to make and sure to please your taste buds.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
For Stir-Fry:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 small yellow onion (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- Steamed rice for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Toss the sliced chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch; let marinate for 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce: Whisk together oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, black pepper, and white pepper in a small bowl; set aside.
- Stir-Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet, stir-fry the chicken until cooked through, then set aside.
- Vegetable Stir-Fry: In the same skillet, stir-fry bell peppers and onion until tender. Add garlic and ginger.
- Combine and Serve: Return chicken to the skillet, pour in the sauce, and cook until heated through. Garnish with green onions and serve hot over rice.
Notes
- You can use chicken thighs for juicier results.
- Add mushrooms, snap peas, or broccoli for extra veggies.
- For extra heat, include a pinch of red pepper flakes or a sliced chili pepper.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
