Easy Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry Recipe: A Quick, Healthy Weeknight Dinner

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In today’s fast-paced world, you often find yourself looking for meals that are quick, healthy, and packed with flavor. After a long day, the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen, but you also don’t want to sacrifice your health or the taste of your food. That’s where this Easy Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry recipe comes in. Not only is it ready in just 35 minutes, but it also delivers a delicious, balanced meal with just a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent with limited time, or someone looking for a quick weeknight dinner, this stir-fry is your go-to solution.

What is Velveting Chicken?

Before diving into the recipe itself, you might be wondering, “What exactly is velveting, and why should I care?” Velveting is a cooking technique widely used in Chinese cuisine, especially in stir-fry dishes. It involves marinating the meat—often chicken or beef—in a mixture of cornstarch, baking soda, and water, which tenderizes the meat, making it incredibly soft and silky. This method is essential for achieving that perfect, restaurant-quality texture in your stir-fry.

But why does it matter? Velveting ensures that your chicken stays tender and juicy, without drying out during the cooking process. It helps to lock in moisture and creates that melt-in-your-mouth sensation that takes your stir-fry from good to great.

Why This Recipe Works

This Easy Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry is a fantastic choice for many reasons:

• Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just 35 minutes from start to finish. It’s ideal for those busy weeknights when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen but still crave something delicious and satisfying.
• Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with lean protein from chicken and fiber from green beans, this stir-fry provides a balanced meal that helps you stay on track with your health goals.
• Full of Flavor: The combination of savory soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and the slight kick of fresh ginger creates a rich, flavorful sauce that brings all the ingredients together.
• Customizable: Feel free to swap out the green beans for other vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.

Ingredients for Easy Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry

To make this tasty dish, you’ll need the following ingredients. The beauty of this recipe is that most of these items are pantry staples you probably already have at home.

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)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, it’s time to start cooking! Follow these simple steps to make your Easy Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry.

1. Velveting the Chicken

The first step is to velvet the chicken, which will give it that amazing, tender texture that makes this dish stand out.

• In a bowl, combine the sliced chicken breasts with baking soda, cornstarch, water, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix everything together thoroughly so the chicken is evenly coated.
• Let the chicken marinate for 15-20 minutes. This marinating step is crucial—it helps to tenderize the meat, making it super soft and flavorful.
• After the marinating time is up, rinse the chicken under cold water to remove any excess baking soda. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure it crisps up nicely in the pan.

2. Prepare the Stir Fry Sauce

While the chicken is marinating, you can prepare the sauce. This sauce is what ties everything together, adding depth of flavor to the dish.

• In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch (if you prefer a thicker sauce). Set this mixture aside for later.

3. Stir Fry the Chicken

Now it’s time to cook the chicken!

• Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
• Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken to the skillet. Stir-fry the chicken for 5-6 minutes or until it’s cooked through and lightly browned. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan; you want to give each piece of chicken enough room to cook properly.
• Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

4. Stir Fry the Vegetables

In the same skillet, we’ll now stir-fry the green beans and aromatics.

• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to the skillet and heat it over medium-high heat.
• Add the minced garlic and ginger to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
• Add the frozen green beans to the skillet and stir-fry them for 4-5 minutes, or until they’re heated through and slightly tender. If you’re using fresh green beans, you might need to cook them a little longer.

5. Combine Chicken, Vegetables, and Sauce

Now that the chicken and vegetables are cooked, it’s time to combine everything.

• Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the green beans. Pour the prepared sauce over the top and stir everything together to coat the chicken and green beans evenly.
• Let the mixture cook for another 2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly and all the flavors to meld together. Indulge in gourmet dining at home with our https://miarecipes.com/baked-spinach-mushroom-quesadillas-3

6. Garnish and Serve

To finish off the dish:

• Transfer the stir-fry to a serving dish.
• Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a touch of crunch and flavor.

Serve this Easy Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry

To make sure your stir-fry is a success, keep these tips in mind:

• Use high-quality chicken: Fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for this recipe. If you use frozen chicken, make sure to thaw it thoroughly before marinating.
• Don’t skip the marinating step: The velveting technique is key to making the chicken tender and juicy. Skipping this step will result in a tougher texture.
• Customize your veggies: This recipe calls for green beans, but you can easily swap them out for other vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas. Use whatever you have on hand or what’s in season.
• Adjust the sauce: If you prefer a sweeter stir-fry, add a bit more hoisin sauce. If you like it saltier, increase the soy sauce. Customize the sauce to your liking.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan: To get that beautiful sear on the chicken, make sure the skillet is large enough to allow the chicken pieces to cook in a single layer. If the pan is too crowded, the chicken will steam instead of sear.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a breakdown of the nutrition for each serving:

Nutrient	Per Serving
Calories	290
Protein	35g
Carbohydrates	15g
Fat	12g
Fiber	3g

This dish is a healthy and satisfying meal with a good balance of protein and vegetables.

FAQ

What is velveting, and why is it important in this recipe?

Velveting is a Chinese cooking technique that involves marinating meat (usually chicken) in a mixture of baking soda, cornstarch, and water to tenderize it. This technique is essential in stir-fry dishes because it results in chicken that is moist, tender, and soft.

Can I use fresh green beans instead of frozen?

Yes! You can definitely use fresh green beans. Just make sure to sauté them a little longer, about 6-8 minutes, to ensure they are tender.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

While this stir fry is best when freshly made, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge, and when ready to cook, simply follow the stir-fry instructions.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make this stir-fry gluten-free, substitute the soy sauce with tamari (a gluten-free soy sauce alternative) and ensure that the hoisin and oyster sauces you use are gluten-free.

Conclusion: A Delicious, Healthy Meal in Just 35 Minutes

This Easy Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry is everything you want in a weeknight dinner—quick, healthy, and bursting with flavor. The velveting technique guarantees tender, juicy chicken, while the stir-fry sauce adds that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Whether you’re looking for a nutritious meal after a busy day or something to impress at your next family dinner, this stir fry is sure to become a new favorite.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, follow the simple steps, and enjoy a meal that’s as delicious as it is easy to make.

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