ChihYu Smith's Paleo Black Pepper Chicken
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ChihYu Smith's Paleo Black Pepper Chicken
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According to ChihYu Smith, who developed the original recipe for her popular blog, I Heart Umami, this dish reminds people of their favorite takeout food. The juicy chicken is tossed in a savory-sweet (but not too sweet) sauce, with a healthy dose of black and Sichuan pepper that will leave your mouth tingling with pleasant spice. Use whatever veggies you have on hand to make this quick weeknight dinner.
All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
The Medium Deep Dish
The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.
The Anyhand Mitts
Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Ingredients
For the sauce
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn powder, optional
- ¾ tablespoon peach, apricot or orange jam
- ¾ tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon chicken stock
For the chicken
- ½ lb (225g) chicken breast, diced into 1” cubes
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil, or vegetable oil
- 1½ teaspoons coconut aminos
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons tapioca starch
- ½ red bell pepper, diced into 1” cubes
- 2½ stalks of (85g) celery, sliced on diagonal
- ½ (50g) small yellow onion, diced small
- salt, to taste
Preparation
- In a separate bowl, mix the sauce ingredients together until fully incorporated. Set aside.
- Add the remaining ingredients for the chicken into the Anyday dish. Mix well. Cover with the lid (knob lifted). Cook in the microwave for 5 minutes, or until chicken is almost cooked through.
- Add the sauce and mix well. Continue cooking uncovered for 2 minutes, or until the sauce has warmed through and the chicken is fully cooked through.
Serving suggestions & tips
- Try it with shrimp, diced pork tenderloin or firm tofu (but note that it won't qualify as Paleo anymore).
- Finish the dish with thinly sliced scallions for a refreshing touch.
- If you want more vegetables, substitute part of the chicken for more celery and bell peppers or add in zucchini, eggplant, or broccoli.
Recipe notes
- Learn more about ChihYu Smith at iheartumami.com
- Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.
