Black Pepper Chicken

Ingredients

FOR THE MARINATED CHICKEN

• 3 tbsp. 

  low-sodium dark soy sauce

• 3 tbsp. 

  rice wine (dry sherry works too)

• 1 tsp. 

  sesame oil

• 3 

  cloves garlic, minced or grated

• 1 tsp. 

  freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 tsp. 

  kosher salt

• 3/4 c. 

  cornstarch, divided

• 1 1/2 

  boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into ½” pieces 

FOR THE SAUCE

• 1/3 c. 

  oyster sauce

• 1/3 c. 

  rice wine or dry sherry

• 1 tbsp. 

  freshly ground black pepper

• 1 

  clove garlic, minced or grated

• 1/3 c. 

  cup low-sodium chicken stock

• 1 tbsp. 

  low-sodium dark soy sauce

FOR THE STIR-FRY

• 3 tbsp. 

  neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable

• Kosher salt

• 1 

  yellow or orange bell pepper, cut into ½” pieces

• 3 

  stalks celery, sliced ¼” thick

• 2 

  cloves garlic, sliced

• 3 

  scallions, sliced, greens and whites separated

• Steamed white rice, for serving

Description

1. Step 1Make the marinade: In a large shallow dish, add the soy sauce, rice wine (or sherry), sesame oil, garlic, black pepper, and salt and whisk to combine. Add 6 tablespoons of cornstarch and whisk to combine, breaking up any lumps of cornstarch. Add the diced chicken to the cornstarch mixture and toss to combine. Spread into a single layer and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes. 
2. Step 2Make the sauce: Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk to combine all of the sauce ingredients.  Set aside.
3. Step 3When chicken is done marinating, sprinkle the pieces with remaining 6 tablespoons of cornstarch, tossing to coat. (Some of the pieces may stick together, which is fine.) Heat a wok or a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of neutral oil. Working in batches, add the chicken pieces to the hot oil, separating any pieces that are stuck together. Continue to cook until chicken is golden brown with a thin crispy crust and is completely cooked though, 4 to 5 minutes. Place chicken pieces in a single layer on a paper towel-lined sheet pan.
4. Step 4Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the wok/skillet and heat over high until you see a wisp of smoke. Add the bell peppers and celery and season with a pinch of salt. Cook, tossing frequently over high heat for about 2 minutes. (The bell peppers should begin to blister.)
5. Step 5Add sliced garlic and scallion whites and cook for another 2 minutes, continuing to toss and stir to make sure the heat is evenly distributed. Add the stir fry sauce and bring to a rapid boil so that sauce begins to reduce. Continue cooking until the sauce has reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
6. Step 6Working in batches, return chicken to wok/skillet, tossing to coat with sauce after each addition. Top with scallion greens and serve with steamed white rice.