String Bean Chicken Recipe: Quick and Easy Dinner Idea

Last Updated on: 24th March 2024, 10:14 am

String bean chicken is a classic Chinese dish that is easy to make and delicious to eat. It is a stir-fry dish that typically consists of chicken, green beans, and a savory sauce. The dish is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, and it can be served with rice or noodles for a complete meal.

To make a string bean chicken recipe, you will need a few essential ingredients. Chicken breast is the most common protein used in the dish, and it is typically sliced into thin pieces for quick cooking. Green beans are the other main ingredient, and they should be trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces. The sauce for the dish usually consists of soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, and a sweetener such as honey or sugar.

If you’re looking to make a delicious and healthy meal at home, string bean chicken is a great option. It’s easy to customize the dish to your liking by adjusting the amount of sauce or adding other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of protein and veggies in one tasty dish.

Key Takeaways

• String bean chicken is a classic Chinese dish that is easy to make and delicious to eat.
• The essential ingredients for the dish include chicken breast, green beans, and a savory sauce.
• String bean chicken is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet and can be easily customized to your liking.

Essential Ingredients

When it comes to making a delicious string bean chicken recipe, the ingredients you use can make all the difference. In this section, I’ll go over the essential ingredients you’ll need to make a fantastic string bean chicken dish.

Chicken

The star of the show in this recipe is, of course, the chicken. You’ll want to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. Cut the chicken into thin, bite-sized pieces to ensure that it cooks quickly and evenly.

String Beans

The second most important ingredient in this recipe is the string beans. Look for fresh, crisp string beans at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. You’ll want to trim the ends of the beans and cut them into bite-sized pieces before cooking.

Sauces and Seasonings

To give your string bean chicken dish its signature flavor, you’ll need a few key sauces and seasonings. Here are the sauces and seasonings I recommend:

• Soy sauce: This savory sauce adds depth of flavor to the dish.
• Shaoxing wine: This Chinese rice wine adds a subtle sweetness to the dish.
• Cornstarch: This helps to thicken the sauce and coat the chicken.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a pungent, aromatic flavor to the dish.
• Ginger: Fresh ginger adds a warm, spicy flavor to the dish.

In addition to these essential sauces and seasonings, you can also add other ingredients to customize the flavor of your dish. For example, you might add a bit of honey for sweetness, or red pepper flakes for heat. Be creative and experiment with different combinations of sauces and seasonings to find the perfect flavor for your string bean chicken dish.

Cooking Instructions

Preparation Steps

Before we start cooking, we need to prepare the ingredients. Here are the steps to prepare the ingredients for our string bean chicken recipe:

1. Cut the chicken breast into 1/4″ discs across the grain and place them in a mixing bowl.
2. Marinate the chicken with salt, white pepper, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch for 15 minutes.
3. Cut the green beans into 3″ pieces and quarter the onion, separating the petals.
4. Chop the garlic and ginger and set them aside in separate bowls.

Cooking Process

Now that we have prepared all the ingredients, let’s start cooking our string bean chicken recipe:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
2. Spread the chicken in the skillet in a single layer. Sear until the bottom turns golden without moving it, 1 minute or so. Stir and flip to cook the other side, until golden, another minute or so.
3. Move the chicken to a separate plate or bowl. Leave any remaining oil in your pan.
4. Add the remaining vegetable oil to your pan and add in the green beans. Sauté the green beans for 1-2 minutes, then add in 1/4 cup of water to the pan, cover, and steam the green beans until they are tender (1-2 minutes).
5. Remove the lid and add the garlic and ginger. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
6. Add the chicken back into the pan and toss to coat.
7. Pour the sauce into the pan and toss to coat. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
8. Serve over cooked rice, if desired.

And that’s it! Our string bean chicken recipe is ready to be served. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to serving string bean chicken, there are many options to choose from. Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy this delicious dish:

1. Over Rice

One of the most popular ways to serve string bean chicken is over a bed of rice. This simple and classic combination is both filling and satisfying. You can use white rice, brown rice, or even quinoa for a healthier twist. To make it even more flavorful, you can sprinkle some sesame seeds or chopped scallions on top.

2. With Noodles

If you’re in the mood for something a little different, try serving your string bean chicken with noodles. This is a great option if you’re looking for a heartier meal. You can use any type of noodles you like, such as udon, soba, or even spaghetti. To add some extra flavor, you can toss the noodles with a little soy sauce or hoisin sauce.

3. As a Salad

For a lighter option, try serving your string bean chicken as a salad. Simply toss some cooked string beans and chicken with your favorite greens, such as spinach or arugula. You can also add some other veggies, such as cherry tomatoes or sliced cucumbers. For a dressing, I like to use a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, and honey.

No matter how you choose to serve it, string bean chicken is a delicious and versatile dish that is sure to please. So why not give it a try and see what you think?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some easy steps to make string bean chicken at home?

Making string bean chicken at home is easy and straightforward. First, marinate chicken breast strips in a mixture of soy sauce, cornstarch, and rice wine vinegar for at least 15 minutes. Next, heat a wok or skillet over high heat and add oil. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken and cook until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside. In the same pan, add garlic, ginger, and green beans and stir-fry for a few minutes. Add the chicken back to the pan and stir-fry for another minute or two. Serve hot with steamed rice.

How can I recreate the Panda Express string bean chicken?

To recreate the Panda Express string bean chicken, start by marinating chicken breast strips in a mixture of soy sauce, cornstarch, and rice wine vinegar for at least 15 minutes. Heat a wok or skillet over high heat and add oil. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken and cook until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside. In the same pan, add garlic, ginger, and green beans and stir-fry for a few minutes. Add the chicken back to the pan and stir-fry for another minute or two. Finally, add a sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and chicken broth to the pan and stir-fry until the sauce thickens. Serve hot with steamed rice.

What ingredients can I add to string bean chicken to enhance its flavor?

To enhance the flavor of string bean chicken, you can add ingredients such as chili flakes, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, or Szechuan peppercorns. You can also add vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms to the stir-fry for added texture and flavor.

What is the healthiest way to prepare chicken and green beans?

The healthiest way to prepare chicken and green beans is to stir-fry them in a small amount of oil. Use lean chicken breast and add plenty of green beans for a healthy dose of fiber and vitamins. You can also add other vegetables such as broccoli, snow peas, or carrots for added nutrition.

How do I make a spicy chicken and green beans stir fry?

To make a spicy chicken and green beans stir fry, add chili flakes or Szechuan peppercorns to the stir-fry. You can also add diced jalapenos or red pepper flakes for added heat. For a more complex flavor, add garlic, ginger, and soy sauce to the stir-fry.

Is there a difference in cooking methods for green beans versus string beans?

Green beans and string beans can be cooked using the same methods. The only difference is that string beans may take slightly longer to cook due to their thicker texture. To ensure even cooking, cut the string beans into smaller pieces before stir-frying.