This Garlic Black Pepper Chicken is an easy, flavorful dish that comes together in just 20 minutes. Inspired by Taiwanese night market flavors, the combination of garlicky, spicy, and slightly tangy black pepper sauce makes this dish a favorite. With tender, crispy chicken thighs and a deliciously addictive sauce, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting meal at any time.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless, skin-on chicken thighs

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 ½ tbsp butter

For the Black Pepper Sauce:

• 3 tbsp oyster sauce

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• ½ tbsp black pepper (adjust to taste)

• 1 ½ tbsp minced garlic

• 2 tbsp honey

• 2 ½ tbsp ketchup

Directions

1. Season the Chicken:

   • Season the chicken thighs on both sides with salt and pepper.

2. Pan-Fry the Chicken:

   • In a pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken, skin side down, and pan-fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Remove and set aside.

3. Prepare the Sauce:

   • In a bowl, mix together oyster sauce, soy sauce, black pepper, minced garlic, honey, and ketchup to make the sauce.

4. Cook the Sauce:

   • Turn the heat to medium, add butter to the pan, and pour in the sauce mixture. Simmer for about 1 minute.

5. Combine and Finish Cooking:

   • Add the chicken back into the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, allowing the chicken to absorb the sauce.

6. Serve:

   • Serve hot with steamed rice and enjoy this delicious, spicy dish!

Nutrients (approximate per serving)

• Calories: 345

• Carbohydrates: 13 g

• Protein: 28 g

• Fat: 16 g

• Saturated Fat: 3 g

• Cholesterol: 68 mg

• Sodium: 923 mg

• Potassium: 740 mg

• Fiber: 2 g

• Sugar: 5 g

Why This Recipe Works

Garlic Black Pepper Chicken is the epitome of easy, flavorful cooking. The chicken thighs are seasoned simply with salt and pepper, but it’s the crispy skin that adds texture and flavor to the dish. Pan-frying the chicken allows the skin to become golden and crispy, adding a satisfying crunch to each bite. The black pepper sauce, with its savory, spicy, and slightly tangy profile, elevates the chicken and gives it the perfect amount of richness and heat.

This recipe is also highly adaptable—if you prefer a milder flavor, you can adjust the amount of black pepper in the sauce. The combination of ingredients in the sauce, including oyster sauce, soy sauce, and honey, creates a harmonious balance of umami, sweetness, and spice, making it a standout dish.

The Chicken: Crispy and Tender

The key to making the chicken so delicious is to use skin-on, boneless chicken thighs. The skin adds flavor and texture, and the thighs themselves remain juicy and tender when cooked properly. Pan-frying the chicken skin-side down first ensures that the skin crisps up and becomes golden brown, creating a satisfying crunch that complements the tender meat inside. Cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side ensures that the chicken is cooked through and beautifully crispy.

After searing, the chicken is set aside while the sauce is prepared, but it’s important to let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the meat moist and flavorful.

The Black Pepper Sauce: Sweet, Savory, and Spicy

The sauce is the star of this dish, with the perfect balance of savory, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors. The base of the sauce includes oyster sauce and soy sauce, both of which add depth of flavor and umami. The black pepper brings heat and spiciness, which is balanced out by honey, which adds sweetness. The addition of ketchup lends a subtle tanginess that rounds out the flavor profile.

The sauce is quick and easy to make—simply mix the ingredients together in a bowl and simmer them in the same pan you used to cook the chicken. This allows the sauce to pick up any flavorful bits left behind from the chicken, creating a rich, well-rounded flavor.

Cooking the Sauce: Building Flavor

To cook the sauce, first melt the butter in the pan over medium heat, allowing it to coat the bottom of the pan and infuse the sauce with a rich, velvety texture. Once the butter is melted, add the sauce mixture and bring it to a simmer. Let it cook for about a minute, allowing the flavors to meld together.

This sauce only takes a short time to cook, so it’s important to keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t over-reduce. Once the sauce is ready, the chicken is added back into the pan and cooked in the sauce for 1-2 minutes on each side, allowing the chicken to absorb all the flavors.

Serving the Dish

Garlic Black Pepper Chicken is best served hot, ideally with steamed rice. The rice absorbs the savory sauce, making each bite even more flavorful. If you prefer, you can garnish the dish with extra black pepper or freshly chopped herbs for a touch of freshness.

This dish is quick enough for a weeknight meal yet flavorful enough to serve on special occasions. It’s a wonderful dish to serve to family or guests, and its bold flavors are sure to impress.

Why You’ll Love Garlic Black Pepper Chicken

This dish is everything you want in a quick meal—flavorful, satisfying, and easy to make. The crispy chicken thighs combined with the savory black pepper sauce create a delicious balance of textures and flavors. The heat from the black pepper and the sweetness from the honey make this dish comforting yet exciting, perfect for those who love bold, savory flavors with a bit of spice.

Garlic Black Pepper Chicken is also highly customizable. If you like your food spicier, you can add more black pepper, or you can adjust the sweetness with more or less honey. The sauce can be made to suit your taste, making this recipe a flexible option for everyone at the table.

Conclusion

Garlic Black Pepper Chicken is an easy, quick, and flavorful dish that brings the bold flavors of Taiwanese night market cuisine into your home. The combination of crispy chicken thighs and a savory black pepper sauce makes for a delicious, comforting meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes. Whether you’re looking for a fast weeknight dinner or something to impress your guests, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. Serve it with steamed rice for a complete, satisfying meal that’s as flavorful as it is easy to prepare. Enjoy!