Chicken with Green Beans Stir Fry

This Chicken with Green Beans Stir Fry is a simple stir fry that we like to make! We marinade the chicken and then stir fry with green beans in a tasty sauce. I recommend serving with a bowl of white rice!

Jump to:

• How to trim green beans
• Dark Meat vs. White Meat
• Customization Ideas
• About Oyster Sauce
• How to cook Chicken Stir Fry with Green Beans (Step by Step)
• Storage & Reheating
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Chicken with Green Beans Stir Fry Recipe
• More Delicious Easy Green Beans Recipes!
• Pin for later!

How to trim green beans

I highly recommend trimming your green beans before cooking - it makes a big difference in texture. My mom literally refuses to eat the tough tips, and honestly, I agree!

Two easy ways to trim green beans:

1. Knife method - Line the green beans up evenly on a cutting board and slice off the tough ends in one clean cut. Flip and repeat for the other side.
2. Scissors method - Use kitchen shears and snip off the tips. Fast and fuss-free!

Dark Meat vs. White Meat

You can use either chicken thighs (dark meat) or chicken breast (white meat) for this recipe.

• Chicken thighs are juicier and more forgiving, which is why I use them most often.
• Chicken breast works just as well since you're cutting it into bite-sized pieces - just be careful not to overcook.

Either way, the cooking time is about the same. Just make sure the chicken is cooked through before serving.

Customization Ideas

This stir fry is easy to adjust based on your taste and what you have in the fridge:

Make it spicy - Add fresh or dried chilies, chili oil, or drizzle chili crisp over the finished dish!

Add more veggies - Try onions, broccoli, snow peas, or carrots. Just adjust the cooking time so everything cooks evenly.

Switch up the sauces - Play with light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, or even pre-made stir fry sauces for a different flavor profile.

About Oyster Sauce

One of the star ingredients in this stir fry is oyster sauce. Yes, it's actually made with oysters - typically oyster extract, sugar, salt, and cornstarch. But don't worry if you're not a seafood fan: it doesn't taste "fishy" at all. Instead, it adds a rich, sweet-savory depth that's classic in Chinese cooking.

👉 Vegetarian or vegan? You can use mushroom oyster sauce instead. In fact, I often prefer the mushroom version because it has a fantastic umami flavor.

On Amazon:

L.k.k Panda Brand Oyster Sauce

Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Flavored Sauce

Kikkoman Oyster Flavored Sauce

Vegetarian Mushroom Oyster Sauce (Vegan/Vegetarian - PREFERRED, the flavor is amazing!)

How to cook Chicken Stir Fry with Green Beans (Step by Step)

First gather your ingredients. You will need:

• 1 lb boneless chicken thigh, cut bite sized
• Marinade:
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • ¼ cup light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons sugar (or honey)
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (optional)
• 3 garlic, crushed and roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 lb green beans, trimmed
• ¼ cup chicken broth or water
• 2 tablespoon oyster sauce

With a knife, cut chicken in to bite size. In a mixing bowl, add the chicken marinade ingredients. Combine well and then set it aside to marinade for at least half hour (up to overnight) in the refrigerator. You can cut trim the green beans as you wait.

In a cooking pan or wok, add cooking oil, and let it heat up on medium high.

Add garlic and chicken along with all the marinade sauce, and stir fry for about 2 minutes or until chicken is slightly browned, and remove chicken and garlic from heat and set aside.

Add a little more cooking oil if your pan is too dry. Then, add green beans and stir fry for about a minute, and then add chicken broth or water, and cover with a lid for about 2 minutes. Uncover and stir fry until desired tenderness.

Return the chicken to the pan and add oyster sauce, plus salt to taste. Stir fry everything for another 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the green beans reach your preferred texture. Cook them quickly for brighter, crunchier beans, or a bit longer for darker, saucier beans - both are tasty!

Remove from heat and serve!

Note: Here you can see how the dish looks when the green beans are cooked quickly - they stay bright green and crisp.

Storage & Reheating

Storage:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• For best texture, keep the green beans slightly crisp when cooking since they'll soften a bit when reheated.

Reheating:

• Stovetop (best method): Add a splash of water or chicken broth to a skillet, then stir fry over medium heat until warmed through.
• Microwave (quick method): Place in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 45-second intervals, stirring between each until hot.
• Freezing: Not recommended. Green beans tend to lose their crisp texture after freezing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes! Both work well since the chicken is cut into small pieces. Just make sure not to overcook the chicken breast so it stays tender.

Why do the green beans look different in your photos?
The color of the green beans can vary depending on how long you cook them, how much sauce you use, and even the type of beans. Quick stir-frying keeps them brighter green and extra crunchy, while longer cooking with more sauce makes them darker and glossier with more savory flavor. Both are delicious - it just depends on your preference!

Can I make this dish spicy?
Absolutely - toss in dried red chilies, fresh chopped chilies, or finish with chili oil or chili crisp for extra heat.

Do I have to use oyster sauce?
No. Oyster sauce adds depth and umami, but you can substitute with hoisin sauce (sweeter), soy sauce with a bit of sugar, or mushroom oyster sauce if you want a vegetarian option.

What vegetables go well with this stir fry?
You can add broccoli, carrots, snow peas, onions, or bell peppers. Just adjust the cooking time depending on the veggie.

Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes - you can marinate the chicken overnight, and trim the green beans in advance. When ready to cook, it all comes together in about 15 minutes.

More Delicious Easy Green Beans Recipes!

• Another protein to your green beans and make it a meal is beef! Try my Beef and Green Beans Stir Fry - marinated beef stir fried with green beans in a tasty sauce!
• Or if you're looking for veggie side dishes, try my Chinese Green Beans Stir Fry! Made soy, honey, garlicky sauce - so tasty!
• If you need another tasty green beans veggie side dish, check out my Oven Roasted Garlic Butter Green Beans! Super tasty and easy and goes together with almost anything!
• Another tasty veggie side dish is my Green Beans and Tomatoes! This is an easy and delicious veggie dish to make! I absolutely love the flavor of the buttery garlicky tomato sauce!

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