1. Marinate the Chicken

Start by marinating the chicken pieces. In a bowl, combine the chicken with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon rice vinegar. Stir to coat the chicken evenly, then cover and refrigerate for at least 15-20 minutes. The marinade will infuse the chicken with flavor, making it tender and delicious.

2. Prepare the Vegetables

While the chicken is marinating, prepare your vegetables. Thinly slice the onions, bell peppers, and carrots. Mince the garlic and ginger, and set everything aside so that it’s ready to go when the stir-fry process begins. Having all the ingredients prepped will make cooking quicker and more efficient.

3. Cook the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer. Let them cook without stirring for about 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken starts to brown. Then stir the chicken to ensure it cooks evenly. Continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and golden brown. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the onions, bell peppers, and carrots to the skillet and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes. The vegetables should be tender yet still crisp, maintaining their color and texture. If needed, add a splash of water to prevent the vegetables from burning.

5. Add Garlic and Ginger

Add the minced garlic and ginger to the skillet with the vegetables and stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes. This step will release the flavors of the garlic and ginger into the oil, infusing the vegetables with aromatic depth.

6. Make the Stir-Fry Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. If you like your stir fry with more heat, you can also add the crushed red pepper flakes at this point. Once the sauce is mixed, pour it over the cooked vegetables and stir to coat evenly.

7. Combine Chicken and Vegetables

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss everything together until the chicken is coated in the sauce and the vegetables are evenly mixed in. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes to ensure everything is heated through and well combined.

8. Serve and Garnish

Once the stir-fry is ready, serve it immediately over a bed of cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for an added burst of freshness. The Pepper Chicken Stir Fry is now ready to enjoy!