Hey guys! Are you ready to dive into a super tasty and incredibly easy chicken black bean sauce recipe? This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something flavorful but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen. We're talking restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort. So, grab your apron, and let’s get cooking!

Why You'll Love This Chicken Black Bean Sauce Recipe

This chicken black bean sauce recipe is a winner for so many reasons. First off, the combination of savory, slightly sweet, and umami flavors is just irresistible. The black bean sauce itself is a powerhouse of taste, and when paired with tender chicken and crisp veggies, it's a match made in culinary heaven.

Ease of Preparation: Seriously, this recipe is a breeze. Even if you're not a seasoned chef, you can totally nail this. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, and the cooking process is straightforward. You'll be amazed at how quickly it comes together.

Versatility: Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking. Add your favorite veggies, adjust the spice level, or even swap out the chicken for tofu or shrimp. The possibilities are endless!

Healthy and Delicious: This dish is packed with protein from the chicken and fiber from the veggies. Plus, it's a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients into your meal. And let's be honest, anything that tastes this good and is relatively healthy is a win-win.

Perfect for Meal Prep: This recipe is fantastic for meal prepping. You can make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy it throughout the week. It reheats beautifully, and the flavors meld together even more over time. Imagine having a delicious, home-cooked meal ready to go whenever you need it. No more sad desk lunches!

Ingredients You'll Need

Before we get started, let's gather all the ingredients you'll need. Don't worry, most of these are common pantry items, and anything you don't have can easily be found at your local grocery store.

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 4 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup black bean sauce
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• Optional: chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Ingredient Breakdown

Chicken: We're using chicken breasts for this recipe because they're lean and cook quickly. However, you can also use chicken thighs if you prefer a richer flavor. Just make sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

Soy Sauce: This adds a salty and umami flavor to the chicken. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the salt level.

Cornstarch: This helps to tenderize the chicken and thicken the sauce.

Garlic and Ginger: These aromatic ingredients are essential for adding depth of flavor to the dish. Freshly minced garlic and ginger are always best.

Bell Peppers and Onion: These veggies add color, crunch, and sweetness to the dish. Feel free to use any color of bell pepper you like.

Mushrooms: These add an earthy and savory flavor to the dish. You can use any type of mushroom you like, such as shiitake, cremini, or button mushrooms.

Black Bean Sauce: This is the star of the show! Black bean sauce is made from fermented black beans and has a rich, salty, and slightly sweet flavor. You can find it in the Asian aisle of most grocery stores.

Chicken Broth: This helps to thin out the sauce and add moisture to the dish. Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt level.

Rice Vinegar: This adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the sauce.

Sugar: This balances out the saltiness of the black bean sauce and adds a touch of sweetness.

Sesame Oil: This adds a nutty and aromatic flavor to the dish. A little goes a long way!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and start cooking this amazing chicken black bean sauce recipe. Follow these simple steps, and you'll be enjoying a delicious meal in no time!

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce and cornstarch. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. This will help to tenderize the chicken and add flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

While the chicken is marinating, prepare the black bean sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the black bean sauce, chicken broth, rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. Set aside.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Chicken

Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until it's cooked through and lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables

Add the garlic and ginger to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, add the bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms. Stir-fry until the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Return the chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the black bean sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve the chicken black bean sauce over rice or noodles. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Chicken Black Bean Sauce

To ensure your chicken black bean sauce turns out perfectly every time, here are some handy tips and tricks.

• Use High Heat: Stir-frying is all about cooking quickly over high heat. This helps to seal in the flavors and keep the vegetables crisp.
• Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken and vegetables in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding will lower the temperature of the pan and result in steamed, rather than stir-fried, ingredients.
• Prepare Ingredients in Advance: Since stir-frying is a quick cooking process, it's important to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
• Adjust the Sauce to Your Liking: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more sugar. If you like it spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic, ginger, and vegetables will always give you the best flavor.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about this chicken black bean sauce recipe is how versatile it is. Here are some variations and substitutions you can try to customize it to your liking.

• Vegetarian: Substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh. Press the tofu to remove excess water before stir-frying.
• Seafood: Use shrimp or scallops instead of chicken. Be careful not to overcook the seafood.
• Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil to the sauce for a spicy kick.
• Vegetables: Add other vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, carrots, or zucchini.
• Noodles: Serve the chicken black bean sauce over noodles instead of rice. Lo mein or chow mein noodles work well.

Serving Suggestions

This chicken black bean sauce is delicious on its own, but here are some serving suggestions to make it a complete meal.

• Rice: Serve over steamed white or brown rice.
• Noodles: Serve over lo mein or chow mein noodles.
• Spring Rolls: Serve with fresh spring rolls for a light and refreshing appetizer.
• Soup: Serve with a bowl of hot and sour soup for a comforting meal.
• Salad: Serve with a side of Asian-inspired salad for a balanced meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave or heat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! An easy and delicious chicken black bean sauce recipe that's perfect for any night of the week. With its flavorful sauce, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Don't be afraid to get creative with the ingredients and customize it to your liking. Happy cooking, and enjoy!