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Sir frying black pepper chicken in a wok.
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5 from 84 votes

Black Pepper Chicken - Copycat Panda Express Recipe

This black pepper chicken recipe is a tasty copycat Panda Express recipe that's not only healthier but also ready to serve in just 30 minutes.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: wok
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Black Pepper Sauce:

Cornstarch Slurry:

Instructions

  • Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a wok to 350 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.

Prepare the Chicken:

  • Cut chicken breast into 1-inch pieces of equal size and thickness. Add to a large mixing bowl. Add cornstarch, pepper, salt, garlic, and ginger powder to the bowl and toss to coat.
  • Carefully add chicken to the hot oil, careful not to overcrowd and working in batches.
  • Fry the chicken for 4 minutes per batch. Place onto a wire rack lined baking sheet as you work.
  • Once all the chicken pieces are fried, place the baking sheet into the oven to keep warm. Clean the wok and return to the stove over medium heat.

Make the Sauce:

  • Prepare the sauce. Add vegetable oil to the pan.
  • Next, add minced garlic, ginger, and shallot. Stir fry for 2 minutes to soften.
  • Pour in the Shaoxing wine and stir. Cook for 2 minutes to reduce, then remove from heat. Pour the contents of the wok into a food processor and puree for 10 to 15 seconds.
  • Return the wok to the stove over medium heat. Add the pureed shallot mix to the wok and combine with oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar, dark soy sauce, low sodium soy sauce, and black pepper. Whisk well, and cook until the liquid starts to boil. Once boiling, stir in the cornstarch slurry. Lower the heat to a simmer.
  • Next, add chopped celery, chopped onions, and chicken. Toss to coat in sauce and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Serve hot with rice.

Notes

Equal chicken pieces: When cutting your chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces, aim for uniformity in size and thickness. This will guarantee even cooking and a consistent texture throughout your dish.
Work in stages: When frying your chicken, avoid overcrowding the wok. Working in batches will allow each piece to cook evenly and achieve a deliciously crispy exterior.
Keep your chicken warm: After frying, keep your chicken warm in a preheated oven while you prepare the sauce. This will guarantee that your chicken remains hot and crispy until serving.
Don't rush the simmer: Once your sauce starts to boil, lower the heat and let it simmer. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken which makes a huge difference!
Finish with freshness: Add your chopped celery and onions towards the end of cooking. This will make sure that they retain their crunch and fresh flavor, providing a nice contrast to the rich sauce and tender chicken.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 1327mg | Potassium: 426mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

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