Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)

1 cup mushrooms (sliced, any variety)

2 tablespoons olive oil (or your preferred cooking oil)

1 medium onion (sliced)

3 garlic cloves (minced)

1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated, optional for extra depth of flavor)

1 teaspoon ground black pepper (or more to taste)

1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)

1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, for more umami flavor)

1/4 cup chicken broth (or water)

1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional, for flavor)

Fresh cilantro or green onions (for garnish)

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Instructions:

1. Prepare the chicken:

Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.

2. Cook the chicken:

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

3. Sauté the vegetables:

In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.

Add the sliced mushrooms, garlic, and grated ginger (if using). Cook for another 5 minutes until the mushrooms have released their moisture and are golden brown.

4. Season the dish:

Sprinkle the ground black pepper over the vegetables and stir well. You can adjust the pepper to your liking if you prefer a spicier dish.

Stir in the soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using), mixing well.

5. Combine chicken and sauce:

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the chicken broth. Stir everything together.

If you’d like a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a little water to form a slurry, then stir it into the dish and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.

6. Finish the dish:

Drizzle the sesame oil over the dish for added flavor (optional). Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

7. Serve:

Garnish with fresh cilantro or chopped green onions and serve over steamed rice or noodles.

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Tips:

Vegetable options: You can add other vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to make the dish even more colorful and nutritious.

Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a sliced chili pepper if you like extra heat.

This Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms is a flavorful and satisfying dish, perfect for a quick weeknight meal!