Description
Chinese-inspired chicken and green beans stir-fry delivers bold flavors through quick, high-heat cooking techniques from Sichuan province. Savory soy sauce, garlic, and ginger combine with tender chicken and crisp green beans, making you crave another bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2.5 cups fresh green beans
- ¼ cup (60 ml) low sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup (60 ml) low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsps honey
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tsps cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps green onions, optional for garnish
- Sesame seeds, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Skillet Preparation: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, adding green beans and sautéing until they reach a vibrant, crisp-tender texture while maintaining their bright green color.
- Protein Transformation: Remove green beans and set aside, then add more oil to the same skillet. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, cooking until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, ensuring no pink remains in the center.
- Flavor Integration: Return green beans to the skillet, introducing minced garlic and allowing ingredients to mingle and warm through briefly.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, and red pepper flakes in a separate bowl, combining the elements that will elevate the dish’s complexity.
- Thickening Process: Create a smooth cornstarch slurry by blending water and cornstarch, then pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and green beans, stirring continuously to develop a glossy, rich coating.
- Final Presentation: Complete the stir-fry by garnishing with finely sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, bringing visual appeal and additional layers of flavor to the completed dish.
Notes
- Crisp Bean Technique: Quickly sauté green beans over high heat to maintain their bright color and crunchy texture, avoiding overcooking that leads to mushy vegetables.
- Chicken Browning Mastery: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure perfect golden-brown searing, which locks in flavor and creates appetizing caramelization.
- Sauce Balance Magic: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to create a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and savory notes that complement the chicken and green beans.
- Thickening Sauce Pro Tip: Mix cornstarch with cold water first to prevent lumps, ensuring a smooth, glossy sauce that coats ingredients evenly without clumping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg