Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry

Imagine the sizzle of tender chicken strips hitting a hot wok, the crisp snap of fresh green beans, and the aromatic blend of garlic and ginger filling your kitchen. This Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry is a weeknight wonder that combines protein-packed chicken with nutrient-rich green beans in a savory sauce that coats every bite perfectly. Quick enough for busy evenings yet impressive enough for guests, this Asian-inspired dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just minutes. You’ll learn how to create the perfect balance of tender meat, crisp vegetables, and a sauce that will make this stir fry a regular in your meal rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry deserves a permanent spot in your dinner lineup for so many reasons. First, it’s incredibly quick – ready in under 30 minutes from prep to plate, making it perfect for those hectic weeknights when time is precious. The textural contrast between the tender, juicy chicken and the crisp-tender green beans creates a satisfying mouthfeel with every forkful.

Health-conscious cooks will appreciate that this dish packs a nutritional punch while delivering big on flavor. The lean protein from the chicken combines with the fiber and vitamins from the green beans, creating a balanced meal in one pan. The sauce strikes that perfect balance of savory, slightly sweet, and umami notes without being overly complicated.

Perhaps best of all, this stir fry is incredibly versatile. You can adjust the spice level to suit your preference, substitute ingredients based on what you have on hand, and serve it multiple ways – over rice, with noodles, or even wrapped in lettuce cups for a low-carb option.

Ingredients

For this delicious Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry, you’ll need:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 1 lb (450g) fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 green onions, sliced diagonally
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
• ¼ cup chicken broth or water

The chicken provides lean protein while the fresh green beans offer a satisfying crunch and loads of nutrients. The combination of garlic, ginger, and soy sauce creates that authentic Asian flavor profile that makes this green bean chicken stir fry so irresistible.

Pro Tips

Prepare Everything Before Cooking
The single most important tip for any stir fry, including this Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry, is to have all ingredients prepped and ready before you heat the wok. Stir-frying happens quickly, and there’s no time to chop vegetables or mix sauce once you’ve started cooking. Arrange your ingredients in small bowls in the order they’ll be added to the wok for a smooth cooking process.

Velvet the Chicken for Restaurant-Quality Texture
For exceptionally tender chicken, use the Chinese technique called “velveting.” Simply mix your sliced chicken with 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes before cooking. This breaks down the proteins and creates that silky, tender texture you enjoy in restaurant-quality chicken stir fries.

Blanch the Green Beans
For perfectly crisp-tender green beans that retain their bright color, blanch them first. Boil for just 2 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process. Dry thoroughly before adding to your stir fry. This extra step ensures your beans cook evenly and maintain that ideal texture that makes this chicken and green bean stir fry so satisfying.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, honey or brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Stir until well mixed and set aside. This flavor-packed sauce will be the finishing touch that brings your Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry together, so don’t skip any ingredients if possible.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Slice your chicken breasts against the grain into thin, even strips – about 1/4 inch thick. Place in a bowl and season lightly with salt and pepper. For extra tenderness, you can toss the chicken with 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of the sauce mixture you prepared. Let it sit for 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables.

Step 3: Blanch the Green Beans

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Add your trimmed green beans and cook for just 2 minutes until bright green but still crisp. Immediately drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. After a minute, drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. This technique ensures your beans stay crisp in the final dish.

Step 4: Start the Stir Fry

Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until very hot. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and swirl to coat. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 1 minute to get some caramelization, then stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until just cooked through. Transfer to a clean plate.

Step 5: Cook the Aromatics and Vegetables

Return the wok to high heat and add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring quickly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the blanched green beans and red bell pepper (if using) and stir-fry for 2 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.

Step 6: Combine and Finish

Return the chicken to the wok with any accumulated juices. Pour in the prepared sauce and the chicken broth or water. Stir-fry everything together for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats all ingredients evenly. Toss in the sliced green onions and cook for another 30 seconds.

Step 7: Serve

Transfer your Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry to a serving plate, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve immediately while hot and fragrant. This colorful, nutritious dish is perfect over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Variations

Spicy Szechuan Style
For heat lovers, transform this Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry into a fiery Szechuan-inspired dish. Add 1-2 tablespoons of chili oil, 1 teaspoon of Szechuan peppercorns (crushed), and 2-3 dried chilis to the oil when cooking the aromatics. The numbing heat of Szechuan peppercorns paired with the fresh green beans creates an exciting flavor contrast that spice enthusiasts will love.

Vegetarian/Vegan Option
This stir fry adapts beautifully to a plant-based diet. Replace the chicken with 14 ounces of extra-firm tofu (pressed and cubed) or 2 cups of tempeh. For the sauce, substitute vegetarian oyster sauce (made from mushrooms) or hoisin sauce for the traditional oyster sauce. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and you’ll have a delicious vegan green bean stir fry that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Thai-Inspired Twist
For a Thai flavor profile, add 1 tablespoon of red curry paste when cooking the aromatics, substitute fish sauce for half of the soy sauce, and add 1/3 cup of coconut milk along with the broth. Finish with fresh Thai basil leaves and a squeeze of lime juice just before serving for a fragrant, slightly creamy version of this versatile dish.

Storage and Serving

This Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. Once cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making day-two stir fry sometimes even better than fresh! To reheat, simply microwave until hot or quickly stir-fry in a hot pan with a splash of water to refresh the sauce.

For freezing, place cooled stir fry in a freezer-safe container, leaving some room for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Note that the green beans may lose some of their crispness after freezing, but the flavor will remain delicious.

For serving, present this colorful dish over fluffy jasmine rice or rice noodles for a traditional approach. For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice or in lettuce cups for fun hand-held wraps. This versatile chicken and green bean stir fry also pairs wonderfully with a simple side of miso soup or a crisp Asian cucumber salad for a complete meal.

FAQs

Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen green beans in this Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry. No need to blanch them first – simply thaw them completely, pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, and add them to your stir fry as directed. They won’t be quite as crisp as fresh beans but will still taste delicious.

How do I prevent my stir fry from becoming soggy?
The key to avoiding sogginess is high heat, not overcrowding your pan, and removing excess moisture. Make sure your wok is very hot before adding ingredients, cook in batches if necessary, and thoroughly dry your green beans after blanching. Also, avoid stirring too frequently – give ingredients time to sear before moving them.

Can I make this ahead for a party?
Yes! You can prepare all components up to a day ahead and then quickly stir-fry just before serving. Blanch and dry the green beans, slice the chicken and vegetables, and mix the sauce – store everything separately in the refrigerator. This preparation makes final cooking a quick 10-minute process.

What’s a good substitute for oyster sauce?
If you don’t have oyster sauce, you can substitute hoisin sauce mixed with a splash of soy sauce, or a mixture of 1 part soy sauce to 1 part honey with a dash of Worcestershire sauce. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious in your green bean chicken stir fry.

How can I make this dish gluten-free?
Simply substitute tamari or gluten-free soy sauce for regular soy sauce and use a gluten-free oyster sauce (available at many specialty stores). Double-check all other sauce ingredients for hidden gluten, and your Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry will be safely gluten-free without sacrificing any flavor.

Conclusion

This Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry is weeknight cooking at its finest — quick, nutritious, and bursting with fresh flavors that make takeout unnecessary. It’s the kind of dish that solves the “what’s for dinner” dilemma while still feeling special enough to serve to friends. With its perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and savory sauce, this stir fry demonstrates that healthy eating doesn’t require sacrificing flavor or spending hours in the kitchen. Master this versatile recipe, and you’ll have a reliable go-to meal that adapts to whatever ingredients you have on hand while always delivering delicious results.

Print