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
Scale
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.
