If you’re craving something vibrant, wholesome, and bursting with flavor, this Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry Recipe is a true winner. It combines tender, velvety chicken strips with crisp green beans all coated in a savory, tangy sauce that’s rich with garlic, ginger, and a perfect balance of soy, hoisin, and oyster sauces. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, this dish delivers satisfying textures and bold tastes that never disappoint.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but pack a punch. Each element plays a crucial role in layering flavors, creating contrast in textures, and adding those fresh, colorful notes that make this chicken green bean stir fry come alive.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: sliced thin for fast cooking and tender bites.
- Baking soda: used in velveting to tenderize the chicken perfectly.
- Cornstarch: provides a light coating that locks in moisture for juicy chicken and helps thicken the sauce.
- Soy sauce: delivers essential salty umami flavor to both chicken and sauce.
- Sesame oil: adds a fragrant, nutty aroma that elevates the stir fry.
- Frozen green beans: convenient and crisp, they bring fresh green color and satisfying crunch.
- Garlic and fresh ginger: minced to give aromatic depth and zesty spice.
- Oyster sauce and hoisin sauce: create a sweet-salty caramelized finish to the stir fry.
- Rice vinegar: adds a subtle tang that balances the richness of the sauce.
- Green onions: sliced for a fresh, oniony garnish.
- Sesame seeds: sprinkled on top for an extra crunch and visual appeal.
How to Make Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry Recipe
Step 1: Velvet the Chicken
Velveting is an incredible technique that ensures your chicken stays juicy and tender. Start by combining the sliced chicken with baking soda, cornstarch, water, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Give it a good mix and let it marinate for 15 to 20 minutes. When time’s up, rinse the chicken under cold water to remove excess baking soda, then pat it dry carefully. This step is the secret to creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
Mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and a bit of cornstarch if you want a thicker sauce in a small bowl. This sauce is where all those rich, tangy, and savory flavors come together to coat both green beans and chicken perfectly.
Step 3: Stir-fry the Chicken
Heat one tablespoon of sesame oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and stir-fry them until they’re cooked through and have a lovely light brown sear. This process should take just a few minutes. Once done, remove the chicken and set it aside to keep warm.
Step 4: Stir-fry the Vegetables
Next, add the remaining sesame oil to the same skillet. Throw in minced garlic and ginger, letting them sizzle and release their heavenly fragrance. Then add the frozen green beans. Stir-fry until they’re heated through but still maintain a slight crunch for the best texture contrast.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
Return the chicken to the skillet with the green beans, then pour the prepared sauce over everything. Stir-fry together until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken and beans beautifully. This is the moment all those flavors meld into one delicious dish.
How to Serve Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top before serving. These little touches add fresh brightness, subtle crunch, and an inviting appearance that makes this meal even more special.
Side Dishes
This Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry Recipe pairs wonderfully with fluffy steamed jasmine rice or even a simple bowl of noodles. If you want a low-carb option, cauliflower rice or a crisp cucumber salad are fantastic companions that keep the meal light and balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive twist, serve this stir fry inside crisp lettuce cups, or pile it over warm quinoa for a unique texture play. Another fun idea is to sprinkle a handful of crushed peanuts or toasted cashews on top for an extra nutty crunch that guests will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken green bean stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or a speedy dinner the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Just be sure to cool the dish completely before freezing to preserve flavor and texture.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it feels dry. Reheating in the microwave works too, though a quick stovetop toss keeps the crispness of the green beans intact.
FAQs
Can I use fresh green beans instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh green beans work wonderfully in this recipe. Just blanch them briefly before stir-frying to help maintain their vibrant color and tender-crisp texture.
What is velveting and why is it important in this recipe?
Velveting is a Chinese cooking technique used to tenderize meat, making it silky and juicy. It involves marinating the chicken with baking soda, cornstarch, and other ingredients, then rinsing it before cooking. This step ensures your chicken stays beautifully tender instead of drying out.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
You can easily swap the chicken for firm tofu or tempeh, using the same velveting marinade technique for tofu to keep it moist. The sauce and green beans remain the same, delivering all those fantastic flavors.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, just use gluten-free soy sauce and check that the oyster and hoisin sauces are gluten-free as well. This way, you can enjoy the Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry Recipe without worry.
How spicy is this dish? Can I add more heat?
This stir fry is mild and packed with savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. If you want a kick, feel free to add some red pepper flakes, fresh sliced chili, or a splash of chili oil when cooking garlic and ginger.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly satisfying about making and sharing this Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry Recipe. It’s a perfect blend of textures and flavors that feels both comforting and exciting on your plate. Trust me, once you try it, this will become one of your go-to dishes for a delicious, speedy meal that never feels ordinary. Enjoy every bite!
Print
Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry recipe is a quick and flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring tender velvetted chicken strips and crisp green beans tossed in a savory sauce made with soy, oyster, and hoisin sauces. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner that balances protein and vegetables with a delicious garlic-ginger kick.
Ingredients
For Velveting the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
For the Stir Fry:
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
- 1 pound frozen green beans
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Velvet Chicken: Combine the sliced chicken with baking soda, cornstarch, water, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a bowl. Mix well and let marinate for 15-20 minutes. After marinating, rinse the chicken under cold water thoroughly to remove the baking soda and pat dry with paper towels.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch (if using). Set aside for later use.
- Stir-fry Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the velvetted chicken strips and stir-fry until cooked through and lightly browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Stir-fry Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to the skillet. Sauté the minced garlic and ginger until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds. Add the frozen green beans and cook, stirring frequently, until heated through and slightly tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the green beans. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and vegetables evenly.
- Serve: Garnish the stir fry with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve the dish hot over steamed rice or noodles if desired.
Notes
- Velveting the chicken helps keep it tender and juicy during stir frying by protecting it from direct high heat.
- Be sure to rinse the chicken well after marinating with baking soda to avoid any soapy taste.
- Frozen green beans work well and save prep time, but fresh green beans can be used if preferred—just adjust cooking time accordingly.
- The cornstarch in the sauce is optional but helps thicken it for a better coating.
- This stir fry can be customized with other vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles to make a complete meal.
