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- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces - 2 cups green beans, trimmed and cleaned - 3 tablespoons sesame oil, divided - 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, divided - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 2 tablespoons water - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 inch fresh ginger, grated - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (for enhanced flavor) - Salt and pepper, to taste - Cooked rice, for serving (optional) The marinade gives the chicken a great taste. Use 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix it well with the chicken. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes. This will make the chicken juicy and flavorful. To make this dish even better, serve it over warm rice. Rice helps soak up the tasty sauce. You can also add fresh cilantro or sliced green onions on top. This adds color and a fresh taste. Enjoy your meal with friends or family for a fun time! {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by cutting the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, add the chicken. Pour in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well to coat each piece. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes. This helps boost the flavor. In another small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth. This sauce will give your dish a tasty glaze. Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces once the oil is hot. Cook the chicken for about 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown. Stir occasionally for even cooking. Once done, remove the chicken and keep it warm on a plate. In the same skillet, add the other 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. When it heats up, add minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté for about 30 seconds until you smell the aroma. Next, toss in the trimmed green beans. Stir-fry for 5 to 6 minutes until they turn bright green and tender but still crisp. Now, add the cooked chicken back to the skillet with the green beans. Pour the prepared sauce over everything. Stir well to coat all the ingredients evenly. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Make sure everything is heated through before serving. Transfer the sesame chicken and green beans onto serving plates. For a complete meal, serve it over warm cooked rice. You can also garnish with extra toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions for added flavor and color. Enjoy your delicious creation! - Always marinate the chicken for at least 15 minutes. This makes it juicy and flavorful. - Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best taste. They add depth to the dish. - Stir-fry the green beans quickly over high heat. This keeps them crisp and bright. - Don’t skip the marinating step. It enhances the chicken's flavor. - Avoid overcrowding the skillet. Cook in batches if needed for even cooking. - Don’t overcook the green beans. They should be tender but still have a crunch. - Serve the dish in a large, bright bowl for a feast for the eyes. - Garnish with extra toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions. This adds color and flavor. - Pair the dish with white or brown rice for a complete meal. It balances the flavors well. Pro Tips Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes if possible. This enhances the flavor and tenderness of the chicken significantly. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and ginger will provide a more vibrant flavor compared to powdered versions. Always opt for fresh where possible. Adjust Sauce Thickness: If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer for a few extra minutes after adding it to the chicken and green beans. Serve with Color: Garnish with sliced green onions or fresh cilantro for extra color and freshness. This not only enhances the look but adds a burst of flavor. {{image_4}} You can change the chicken for other meats. Try shrimp or tofu for a twist. Beef or pork also work well. Each protein brings a unique taste. Just adjust cooking times to suit the meat. Use shrimp for quick cooking. Tofu takes in all the flavors you add. Green beans are great, but you can mix in other veggies. Bell peppers add color and crunch. Broccoli gives a nice texture. Snap peas or carrots are tasty choices too. Just cut them to the same size. This way, they cook evenly. You can use any veggie you love. The sauce is key to this dish. You can tweak it to your taste. Add chili paste for heat or peanut butter for creaminess. Try lime juice for a zesty kick. Mix in fresh herbs like cilantro for brightness. These small changes can make a big difference. Be creative and have fun with flavors! To keep your sesame chicken and green beans fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container. Place the container in the fridge. It will stay good for up to three days. Make sure it cools down before sealing. This helps maintain flavor and texture. You can freeze this dish for longer storage. First, let it cool completely. Then, place it in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. This dish will last up to three months in the freezer. Label the container with the date for easy tracking. When ready to eat, thaw the dish in the fridge overnight. To reheat, use a microwave or a skillet. If using a microwave, cover it loosely. Heat for about two to three minutes, stirring halfway. If using a skillet, add a splash of water to keep it moist. Warm it on medium heat until heated through. This keeps the chicken juicy and the green beans crisp. You can make this recipe healthier by using less oil and sodium. Here are some tips: - Use skinless chicken breast. This reduces fat content. - Choose low-sodium soy sauce. This helps cut back on sodium. - Add more veggies. Try bell peppers or broccoli for extra nutrients. - Serve with brown rice or quinoa. These options offer more fiber than white rice. Yes, you can use frozen green beans! Here’s how: - Thaw them first. This helps avoid excess water in the dish. - Add them during the sauté step. Cook them a bit longer to ensure they’re heated through. If you don’t have sesame oil, try these substitutes: - Olive oil for a lighter flavor. - Peanut oil adds a nice nutty taste. - Canola oil is a neutral option that works well. Experiment with these oils for a tasty dish! This post covered the key ingredients for a delicious dish, from marinating the chicken to serving. You learned step-by-step instructions to make cooking easy and fun. I shared tips to enhance your cooking and common mistakes to avoid. Variations let you customize your dish to fit your taste. Finally, I included storage tips to keep leftovers fresh. With these insights, you can master this recipe and impress everyone at your table.

Sesame Chicken & Green Beans Delight

A flavorful dish featuring marinated chicken and sautéed green beans, enhanced with sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cups green beans, trimmed and cleaned
  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, divided
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Cooked rice, for serving (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Marinate the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, place the bite-sized chicken pieces. Pour in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure the chicken is well-coated. Allow it to marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature to enhance the flavor.
  • Prepare the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, blend together the remaining 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. Set it aside for later use.
  • Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken pieces. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate to keep warm.
  • Sauté the Green Beans: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. Once heated, add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, incorporate the trimmed green beans into the skillet. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes, or until the green beans are bright green, tender yet still crisp.
  • Combine and Glaze: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sautéed green beans. Pour the prepared sauce over the entire mixture. Stir everything together to ensure an even coating. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly and everything is heated throughout.
  • Finish with Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the top of the chicken and green bean mixture. Gently toss to combine, allowing the sesame seeds to cling to the dish.
  • Serve: Transfer the sesame chicken and green beans onto serving plates or into a large bowl. For a complete meal, serve over a bed of warm cooked rice. Garnish with extra toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions for a pop of color and additional flavor.

Notes

For an appealing presentation, serve the dish in a large bowl or on individual plates. Consider garnishing with fresh cilantro or sliced green onions.
Keyword chicken, green beans, sesame, stir-fry