Simple Chicken and Green Beans Stir-Fry Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Chicken and green beans stir-fry represents a quick, vibrant meal that elevates ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

This classic Asian-inspired dish combines lean protein with crisp, verdant vegetables in a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

The sizzling wok creates a magical environment where ingredients dance and caramelize, releasing intense aromas that tantalize your senses.

Minimal preparation and rapid cooking make this recipe perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something delicious yet uncomplicated.

Balanced nutrition meets culinary simplicity, offering a wholesome approach to weekday dining that doesn’t compromise on taste or satisfaction.

Fresh ingredients and strategic seasoning elevate this straightforward combination into a memorable dining experience.

Grab your cooking tools and get ready to create a meal that will impress family and friends.

What Makes This Stir-Fry So Quick and Balanced

• Quickly Elevate Weeknight Meals: This stir-fry transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious and fast dinner solutions.
• Balanced Flavor Explosion: The combination of soy sauce, honey, and red pepper flakes creates a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and spicy notes that dance across your taste buds with every bite.
• Nutritious One-Pan Wonder: Packed with lean protein from chicken and fiber-rich green beans, this recipe offers a complete meal that's both healthy and satisfying, requiring minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
• Customizable Cooking Technique: The stir-fry method allows for quick cooking that preserves the crisp texture of green beans while achieving perfectly golden chicken, making it an adaptable recipe for various skill levels.

Simple Ingredients That Bring the Dish to Life

• Chicken: Lean protein source, best when using boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs for quick cooking.

• Green Beans: Fresh and crisp vegetable that adds texture and nutrition.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides depth of flavor.

• Chicken Broth: Adds liquid base and enhances overall savory profile.
• Soy Sauce: Provides saltiness and umami flavor, low-sodium version recommended.
• Honey: Balances sauce with natural sweetness.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and spiciness.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken sauce and create glossy texture.
• Water: Used to create cornstarch slurry for sauce consistency.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking oil for stir-frying.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild spiciness.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish for color and mild onion flavor.
• Sesame Seeds: Provides nutty crunch and visual appeal.

Cooking Chicken and Green Beans to Perfection

Step 1: Prepare Green Beans

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add green beans and cook until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Cook Chicken

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add remaining oil to the skillet and cook chicken until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

• Minced garlic
• Cooked green beans

Stir and warm for 2 minutes.

Step 4: Whip Up Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Red pepper flakes

Step 5: Thicken Sauce

In a separate small bowl, mix water and cornstarch to create a slurry. Pour sauce mixture over chicken and beans, cooking for 1 minute. Add cornstarch slurry and cook until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

• Chopped green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds

Serve hot and enjoy your delicious stir-fry!

Tips for Crunchy Veggies and Juicy Chicken

• Slice Chicken Evenly: Cut chicken into uniform pieces to ensure consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming overcooked or undercooked.
• Crisp Green Beans Perfectly: Briefly blanch green beans before stir-frying to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture without becoming mushy.
• Control Heat Carefully: Use medium-high heat to achieve a golden sear on chicken while keeping the meat tender and juicy inside.
• Thicken Sauce Strategically: Mix cornstarch with cold water to prevent lumps and create a smooth, glossy sauce that coats the ingredients evenly.
• Season Generously: Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to enhance the overall flavor profile of the stir-fry.

Storing Stir-Fry for Lunches That Still Pop

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled stir-fry to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat in Skillet: Warm the chicken and green beans over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out and restore moisture.
• Microwave Option: Place leftovers in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

What to Serve Alongside This Stir-Fry

• Boost Flavor with Wine Pairing: A crisp, light-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc perfectly complements the savory chicken and cuts through the dish's slight spiciness from red pepper flakes.
• Rice Makes It Complete: Serve this stir-fry over steamed jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the delicious sauce and add a comforting texture that balances the meal.
• Crisp Side Salad Companion: A simple Asian-inspired salad with cucumber, mixed greens, and a light rice vinegar dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, rich stir-fry.
• Cold Beer Refreshment: A light lager or Asian-style beer like Sapporo works wonderfully, offering a cool, crisp finish that matches the dish's bold flavors and helps cool down the slight heat.

Stir-Fry Variations That Mix Things Up

• Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fry: Replace red pepper flakes with Szechuan peppercorns and add chili oil for an intense, numbing heat. Incorporate diced bell peppers for extra crunch and color.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Swap soy sauce with lemon juice and add dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Include cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Coconut Curry Fusion: Substitute chicken broth with coconut milk and add curry powder. Introduce diced sweet potatoes and spinach for a creamy, exotic variation that balances spice and sweetness.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Replace green beans with riced cauliflower for a low-carb alternative. Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to keep the dish keto-friendly and add sliced almonds for extra texture.

Chicken and Green Beans Stir-Fry Recipe

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4.5 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Chinese chicken and green beans stir-fry brings bold Cantonese flavors to your dinner table. Ginger, garlic, and soy sauce create a quick, irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 2 ½ cups fresh green beans

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• ¼ cup low sodium chicken broth
• ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking and Garnish Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons green onions, optional for garnish
• Sesame seeds, optional for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious skillet with vegetable oil over moderate temperature, introducing green beans and sautéing until they transform into a vibrant, crisp-tender state without losing their emerald brilliance.
2. Transfer the expertly cooked green beans to a temporary holding area, preserving their optimal texture and temperature.
3. Introduce additional oil into the identical skillet, preparing to transform raw chicken pieces through strategic seasoning with salt and pepper.
4. Execute precise chicken preparation, rotating the protein to achieve a golden-brown exterior while ensuring complete internal cooking through temperature monitoring.
5. Reintroduce the reserved green beans and fragrant minced garlic into the skillet, allowing them to harmonize and warm together briefly.
6. Craft a dynamic sauce by whisking together chicken broth, umami-rich soy sauce, sweet honey, and fiery red pepper flakes in a separate vessel.
7. Simultaneously create a cornstarch slurry by gently combining water and powdery cornstarch until smooth and translucent.
8. Pour the meticulously prepared sauce over the chicken and green beans, allowing flavors to meld and intensify during a brief cooking interval.
9. Incorporate the cornstarch mixture, stirring continuously to transform the liquid into a luxuriously thickened sauce with glossy consistency.
10. Elevate the dish’s visual and flavor profile by garnishing with delicately sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

• Quick weeknight meal that combines lean protein with crisp vegetables in under 20 minutes.
• Ensure chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165°F to prevent foodborne illness.
• Cornstarch slurry helps create a glossy, restaurant-style sauce that clings perfectly to meat and beans.
• Customize heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes – add more for spice lovers or omit for mild preference.
• Prep ingredients beforehand to make cooking process smooth and efficient, reducing stress in the kitchen.
• Serve over steamed rice or cauliflower rice for a complete, balanced meal that’s both nutritious and satisfying.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg