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.
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.