Stir-Fried Chicken with Black Bean Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken pieces stir-fried with fermented black bean sauce, garlic, and bell peppers for a classic savory Chinese entrée. This Chinese-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs chicken breast, fermented black beans, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced chicken breast with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, mixing well to coat; set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 1 tbsp mashed fermented black beans, stir-frying for 30 seconds until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated chicken to the wok, stir-frying for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced green bell pepper, stir-frying for another 2-3 minutes until the peppers are tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 2 tbsp soy sauce, stirring well to coat all ingredients. Cook for an additional 1 minute until sauce is evenly distributed and heated through.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 2 chopped scallion stalks. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Chicken with Black Bean Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Stir-Fried Chicken with Black Bean Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Chicken with Black Bean Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Stir-Fried Chicken with Black Bean Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Stir-Fried Chicken with Black Bean Sauce?

Chinese chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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