Green Beans Chicken Recipe

Green Beans chicken combines juicy chicken breast and crisp green beans for a unique blend of Cantonese and Sichuan flavors. Bursting with taste, it has become a family favorite. 

Slightly spicy yet also garlicky and sweet, the dish highlights the freshness of seasonal green beans. I sear thin strips of chicken to perfection before tossing them into the wok along with the green beans. 

Green Beans Chicken Recipe in dish

In just minutes, the green beans char lightly as they absorb the chicken’s savory pan juices. A touch of oyster sauce adds richness while rice vinegar lends brightness. Red chili peppers offer a subtle kick balanced by sweetness from sugar or honey.

For extra nutrition, I like to stir in other seasonal veggies towards the end of cooking. Mushrooms, bell peppers and carrots meld their flavors within the lively mixture. 

Steamed rice soaks up every drop, making it the perfect companion. Whether customized with additions or enjoyed simply as is, this quick stir-fry never fails to please diverse palates with its balanced yet bold tastes.

Green Beans Chicken Ingredients 

The ingredients which I used to make green bean and chicken recipe 

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 lb green beans
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  •  1 teaspoon chili oil
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • Optional: Additional vegetables such as 1 bell pepper, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 1 cup snow peas, 1 cup broccoli, or 1 cup asparagus (quantities can be adjusted based on preference)

How I Made Green Beans Chicken 

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, salt, and cornstarch. Add the chicken to the marinade and mix to coat evenly. Let the chicken marinate for about 15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.

Step 2: Prepare the Green Beans

Wash and trim the green beans, slicing them into 1-inch pieces. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Toss the green beans into the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender but still crisp. Remove the beans from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Add more oil to the pan if necessary, then place the marinated chicken into the pan. Sear the chicken pieces for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. You may need to do this in batches if your pan isn’t large enough.

Once the chicken is done, add the minced garlic to the pan and stir it for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant.

Step 4: Combine and Make the Sauce

Return the cooked green beans to the pan with the chicken. In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, honey, and soy sauce. Pour this sauce over the chicken and green beans, stirring to coat everything evenly.

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with a little water to form a slurry. Stir the slurry into the pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and green beans.

Step 5: Add Finishing Touches

Drizzle sesame oil, oyster sauce, and fish sauce over the stir fry. Stir everything together, allowing the flavors to meld. If you’re using chili oil for heat, add it at this point to give the dish a spicy kick.

Step 6: Serve

Garnish with additional sesame seeds or green onions if desired, and serve the stir fry over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. Enjoy your delicious Green Beans Chicken stir fry!

Pro Tips 

Cutting Chicken for Stir Fry: To ensure even cooking and a tender texture, slice the chicken against the grain into thin, bite-sized pieces. This helps the chicken stay juicy and cook faster.

Customize with Veggies: Feel free to add extra vegetables to the stir fry. Bell peppers, onions, carrots, snow peas, broccoli, and asparagus are all great additions for extra flavor and texture.

Use High Heat: Stir-fries cook quickly, so make sure your pan is hot before adding the chicken and vegetables. This helps to sear the meat and vegetables, locking in flavor and moisture.

Adjust Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a little more cornstarch slurry. For a thinner sauce, add a bit more chicken broth.

Ingredient Substitutes

Chicken: If you prefer a different protein, feel free to use shrimp, beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.

Soy Sauce: For a gluten-free version, opt for tamari or coconut aminos.

Honey: If you prefer a different sweetener, you can substitute maple syrup or agave nectar.

Oyster Sauce: Use hoisin sauce or vegetarian oyster sauce if you need a vegetarian version.

Chili Oil: If you don’t have chili oil, substitute with red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce for a bit of heat.

Ingredient Notes

Soy Sauce: The primary seasoning agent in this recipe, soy sauce is rich in umami and adds depth to the dish. Use a low-sodium version to control the salt content.

Cornstarch: This is used to help thicken the sauce and give the chicken a velvety coating.

Sesame Oil: Adds a unique, nutty flavor to the stir fry. Use toasted sesame oil for a more intense taste.

Fish Sauce: A small amount of fish sauce adds a salty, richness to the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor.

How Do You Cook Chicken for Stir Fry?

The key to cooking chicken for stir fry is slicing it thinly and marinating it in cornstarch and soy sauce. This helps the chicken stay tender and absorb the flavors better. Sear the chicken in a hot pan to get a golden-brown crust while ensuring it remains juicy inside.

What Kind of Sauce Do You Put in a Stir Fry?

The sauce in this recipe includes soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and fish sauce for umami depth. The addition of honey balances out the savory flavors with a touch of sweetness. This combination creates a rich, flavorful stir fry sauce.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Store any leftover stir fry in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: You can freeze the stir fry for up to 1 month. Reheat by thawing in the refrigerator overnight and reheating in a pan until warmed through.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen green beans? Yes, you can use frozen green beans, but be sure to thaw them before adding them to the stir fry.

2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, you can prep all the ingredients ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Stir-fry the dish just before serving for the best texture.

3. Can I add other vegetables? Absolutely! This recipe is versatile, and you can add any vegetables you like, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or snap peas.

4. Is this recipe gluten-free? You can make this recipe gluten-free by using tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and ensuring your oyster sauce is gluten-free.

More Recipes

Green Beans Chicken Recipe

Green Beans chicken combines juicy chicken breast and crisp green beans for a unique blend of Cantonese and Sichuan flavors. Bursting with taste, it has become a family favorite. Slightly spicy yet also garlicky and sweet, the dish highlights the freshness of seasonal green beans. I sear thin strips of chicken to perfection before tossing them into the wok along with the green beans. 
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course dinner,
Cuisine American
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 lb green beans trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or any neutral oil
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chili oil optional, for a little heat
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • Optional vegetables:
  • 1 bell pepper sliced
  • 1 onion sliced
  • 2 carrots julienned
  • 1 cup snow peas
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup asparagus sliced

Instructions
 

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

  • Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, salt, and cornstarch. Add the chicken to the marinade and mix to coat evenly. Let the chicken marinate for about 15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.

Step 2: Prepare the Green Beans

  • Wash and trim the green beans, slicing them into 1-inch pieces. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Toss the green beans into the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender but still crisp. Remove the beans from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

  • Add more oil to the pan if necessary, then place the marinated chicken into the pan. Sear the chicken pieces for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. You may need to do this in batches if your pan isn’t large enough.
  • Once the chicken is done, add the minced garlic to the pan and stir it for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant.

Step 4: Combine and Make the Sauce

  • Return the cooked green beans to the pan with the chicken. In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, honey, and soy sauce. Pour this sauce over the chicken and green beans, stirring to coat everything evenly.
  • In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with a little water to form a slurry. Stir the slurry into the pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and green beans.

Step 5: Add Finishing Touches

  • Drizzle sesame oil, oyster sauce, and fish sauce over the stir fry. Stir everything together, allowing the flavors to meld. If you’re using chili oil for heat, add it at this point to give the dish a spicy kick.

Step 6: Serve

  • Garnish with additional sesame seeds or green onions if desired, and serve the stir fry over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. Enjoy your delicious Green Beans Chicken stir fry!

Notes

Cutting Chicken for Stir Fry: To ensure even cooking and a tender texture, slice the chicken against the grain into thin, bite-sized pieces. This helps the chicken stay juicy and cook faster.
Customize with Veggies: Feel free to add extra vegetables to the stir fry. Bell peppers, onions, carrots, snow peas, broccoli, and asparagus are all great additions for extra flavor and texture.
Use High Heat: Stir-fries cook quickly, so make sure your pan is hot before adding the chicken and vegetables. This helps to sear the meat and vegetables, locking in flavor and moisture.
Adjust Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a little more cornstarch slurry. For a thinner sauce, add a bit more chicken broth.
Keyword Green beans and chicken