Are you looking for a mouth-watering and easy-to-make recipe that will impress your family and friends? Look no further than this amazing recipe for Ayam Black Pepper with Black Pepper Sauce! This dish is packed with robust flavors and is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, you'll find this recipe simple to follow and incredibly satisfying.
Ayam Black Pepper is a popular Malaysian dish that combines succulent chicken pieces with a rich and aromatic black pepper sauce. The combination of tender chicken and the bold flavors of black pepper creates a dish that is both comforting and full of depth. This recipe is perfect for those who love a little heat and a burst of flavor in their meals.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 500g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for cooking
For the Black Pepper Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns, crushed
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
1. Marinating the Chicken:
Start by marinating the chicken to infuse it with flavors. In a bowl, combine the boneless chicken thighs with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and ground black pepper. Mix the ingredients well, ensuring that each piece of chicken is coated with the marinade. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
2. Stir-frying the Chicken:
Heat a large pan or wok over medium-high heat and add vegetable oil for cooking. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken to the pan. Stir-fry the chicken, ensuring that it cooks evenly on all sides. The marinade will caramelize and create a slightly browned exterior, adding depth of flavor to the dish. Cook the chicken until it is fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside.
3. Sautéing the Vegetables:
In the same pan, add more vegetable oil if needed. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Then, add the thinly sliced onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the pan. Stir-fry the vegetables until they become slightly softened, but still retain some of their crispness. The combination of the onions and bell peppers adds a delightful crunch and freshness to the dish.
4. Creating the Black Pepper Sauce:
The black pepper sauce is what gives Ayam Black Pepper its distinct flavor. To create the sauce, add the crushed black peppercorns to the pan. Stir-fry the peppercorns for a minute to release their aroma. Then, add the oyster sauce, soy sauce, and chicken broth to the pan. These ingredients will enhance the taste of the black pepper and create a rich and savory sauce. Stir the sauce well to ensure that all the ingredients are fully combined.
5. Thickening the Sauce:
To thicken the black pepper sauce, mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl until it forms a smooth paste. Gradually add the cornstarch mixture to the pan while stirring continuously. The cornstarch will help thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy and velvety texture. Continue stirring the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little more chicken broth to thin it out.
6. Coating the Chicken in the Sauce:
Once the black pepper sauce has reached your desired consistency, return the cooked chicken to the pan. Toss the chicken in the sauce, ensuring that each piece is fully coated. Allow the chicken to cook in the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld together and ensures that the chicken absorbs the delicious black pepper sauce.
7. Serving Suggestions:
Ayam Black Pepper is best enjoyed with steamed rice or noodles. The choice is yours! The fragrant black pepper sauce pairs perfectly with the fluffy rice, allowing you to savor every bite. You can also garnish the dish with sliced spring onions or cilantro for added freshness and a pop of color.
Nutrition:
Serving size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 5g
- Protein: 30g
1. Marinating the Chicken:
Marinating the chicken is an essential step that ensures the meat is flavorful and tender. The soy sauce adds a savory and slightly salty taste, while the oyster sauce lends a subtle umami flavor. The sesame oil enhances the overall aroma of the dish, while the cornstarch acts as a binder and helps to seal in the juices of the chicken. The ground black pepper adds a hint of spiciness, balancing out the flavors and giving the dish its signature taste.
2. Stir-frying the Chicken:
Stir-frying the marinated chicken allows the flavors to develop and creates a delicious caramelized exterior. The high heat of the pan helps to seal in the moisture of the chicken, ensuring that it remains juicy and tender. The vegetable oil used for cooking adds a subtle richness to the dish and helps to prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan.
3. Sautéing the Vegetables:
Sautéing the garlic, onions, and bell peppers brings out their natural flavors and adds a delightful crunch to the dish. The garlic lends a fragrant aroma, while the onions become sweet and caramelized as they cook. The green and red bell peppers provide a burst of color and a refreshing texture. The combination of these vegetables complements the bold flavors of the black pepper sauce and adds a balance of freshness to the dish.
4. Creating the Black Pepper Sauce:
The black pepper sauce is the star of this dish, and creating it requires the perfect balance of ingredients. The crushed black peppercorns are the key component that gives the sauce its robust and aromatic flavor. The oyster sauce adds depth and complexity, while the soy sauce provides a savory and salty taste. The chicken broth serves as the base of the sauce, enhancing the overall richness and allowing the flavors to meld together.
5. Thickening the Sauce:
Thickening the black pepper sauce with cornstarch creates a luscious and velvety texture. The cornstarch absorbs the liquid in the sauce and forms a smooth paste, helping to bind the ingredients together. As the sauce cooks, the cornstarch activates and thickens, creating a glossy and luxurious finish. This step ensures that the sauce coats the chicken evenly, resulting in a more flavorful and satisfying dish.
6. Coating the Chicken in the Sauce:
Coating the cooked chicken in the black pepper sauce allows the flavors to penetrate every piece of meat. The sauce adds an extra layer of richness and enhances the overall taste of the dish. Tossing the chicken in the sauce ensures that each bite is bursting with the bold and aromatic flavors of the black pepper. This step also helps to keep the chicken moist and succulent, making every mouthful a delight.
7. Serving Suggestions:
Ayam Black Pepper is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with various accompaniments. The fluffy steamed rice acts as a perfect canvas, allowing you to savor the flavors of the black pepper sauce. The rice soaks up the sauce beautifully, providing a comforting and satisfying meal. For those who prefer noodles, you can serve the Ayam Black Pepper with your favorite type of noodles, such as egg noodles or rice noodles. The noodles absorb the sauce, creating a delicious and hearty dish.
To add a touch of freshness and visual appeal, garnish the dish with sliced spring onions or cilantro. The vibrant green color of the spring onions or the vibrant leaves of the cilantro add a pop of color to the dish, making it even more inviting and appetizing.
Nutrition Information:
This Ayam Black Pepper dish is relatively low in calories and provides a good balance of macronutrients. The boneless chicken thighs used in this recipe are a lean source of protein, while the black pepper sauce adds a burst of flavor without adding excessive calories or fat. The dish also contains dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and promotes a healthy gut. As with any recipe, the nutritional values may vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.
Try this delicious recipe for Ayam Black Pepper with Black Pepper Sauce. Packed with flavors, this Malaysian dish is sure to impress your taste buds. Learn how to prepare it now!