String Bean Chicken - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

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By Chris Joe

4.94 from 29 votes

Apr 09, 2023

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String Bean Chicken is most commonly known from Panda Express. This copycat version is so delicious and SUPER easy to make! restaurant dish has been requested so many time and for good reason – it’s so good and easy to make, you’re never going to want to order it at a restaurant again!

Watch the String Bean Chicken Recipe Video Below!

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Ingredients for String Bean Chicken

I love this String Bean Chicken recipe because only a few ingredients will make crispy, juicy chicken. Firstly, here are the ingredients you will need!

  • Chicken Breast (You can also use chicken thighs for this recipe)
  • Light Soy Sauce
  • White Pepper
  • Salt
  • Shaoxing Wine
  • Cornstarch
  • Chicken Stock – I always recommend Kettle & Fire – use code CJPINS for 20% off your order here!
  • Oyster Sauce
  • Dark Soy Sauce
  • Sugar
  • Sesame Oil
  • MSG
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Onion
  • String Beans
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INGREDIENTS TIPS

CHICKEN
I like to use chicken breast in this recipe but if you prefer chicken thigh, feel free to sub!

LIGHT vs. DARK SOY SAUCE
Yes, they’re different! Dark soy sauce is thicker, darker, and sweeter (as well as has a higher sodium content) than regular soy sauce. Because I use these two ingredients at 1:1 ratio and there are so few ingredients in the sauce, there is not a substitute I can recommend 🙁

MSG
As always, this is optional 🙂

NEUTRAL OIL
My favorite neutral oil is avocado oil, but you can also use canola or vegetable oil! I don’t use olive oil when cooking Chinese food for two reasons: 1. It has a low burning point and 2. I find that the flavor profile does not usually go with the dish.

SHAOXING WINE
If you cannot or do not want to use wine, you can sub with sherry, mirin, or chicken stock!

CORNSTARCH SLURRY
A cornstarch slurry is a mixture of cornstarch and water that is used in cooking to thicken WITHOUT powdery lumps or additional flavors/colors! This is the secret to so many of your favorite Chinese dishes. My #1 tip is make sure your cornstarch slurry has not separated before adding it in – I always try to re-stir right before!

String Bean Chicken: Recipe Instructions

Cut the Chicken

The first step in making this recipe is cutting the chicken into 1/4″ wide pieces. Cut the chicken thinly and at an angle to create wide, disk-like strips.

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Next, place the sliced chicken into a bowl with light soy sauce, white pepper, salt, shaoxing wine, neutral oil and cornstarch. Mix well with your hands and let marinate for at least 15 mintues.

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Next, mix the sauce by combining chicken stock (I always use Kettle & Fire – get 20% off your order when you use code CJPINS!), light soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and msg. I always like to premix my sauce to have it ready to go during the fast cooking process.

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Velvet the Chicken in Neutral Oil

After the chicken is marinated, heat about a cup of neutral oil (I always prefer avocado oil) over high heat until smoking. Fry the chicken pieces (in batches if needed) for 2 minutes or until they are cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken and the excess oil to leave about 2 tbsp of oil left in the pan.

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Dry Fry the String Beans

Next, sauté the string beans until they are slightly blistered. This should only take about 1 minute over medium high heat.

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Sauté Onions

Once the string beans are blistered, add the onions and cook for another minute. Add the minced ginger and garlic, season with salt, and stir fry for another 30 seconds.

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Add Chicken and Sauce

Once the vegetables are crisp and cooked through, add back the chicken along with the sauce. Work quickly to mix the sauce together to evenly coat all the ingredients in the pan.

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Continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened and your String Bean Chicken is done! I love serving this with a freshly steamed bowl of rice.

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If you liked this String Bean Chicken recipe, check out some of the most popular Chinese Take-Out recipes on the blog!

  • Chicken Lo Mein
  • Shrimp Fried Rice
  • Beef and Broccoli
  • Sesame Chicken
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RECIPE TIPS

VELVETING
Velveting is a key Chinese cooking technique that involves marinating the protein in cornstarch and various seasonings (such as white pepper, salt, shaoxing wine, and oils) before quickly passing it through hot oil. It’s one of my favorite ways to guarantee moist and tender meat, and it’s a trick that I don’t hear home chefs talk about often. I love incorporating it into my recipes because it’s one of the best ways to make restaurant quality Chinese food at home!

VEGETABLE SIZES
In most of my recipes, I like to cut my vegetables to a similar size – this ensures that one vegetable is not ‘more’ cooked than others, and it also is more aesthetically pleasing! You can adjust the size of the vegetables to your preference (smaller or larger) – just make sure to adjust the cooking time so they are ‘done’ to your liking!

String Bean Chicken

By: Chris Joe

Servings: 3

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

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This Panda Express copy cat String Bean Chicken comes together in minutes and is so much better than takeout!

Ingredients

Chicken

Sauce

Aromatics & Oils

  • 1 tbsp ginger, chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, cut into quarters, petals separated
  • 1 lb string beans, cut into 2" strips
  • 1 cup neutral oil, I used avocado oil

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Slice chicken breast into 1/4" discs across the grain. Place in a mixing bowl and marinate with salt, white pepper, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch for 15 minutes.

  • Cut green beans into 3" pieces and onion into quarters and separate the petals. Chop garlic and ginger and set aside in separate bowls.

  • Premix your sauce by mixing together chicken stock, soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and msg.

  • Heat 1 cup of avocado oil on high to 350F. Cook chicken in oil for 2 minutes (this technique is called velveting and will keep the lean chicken nice and juicy). Remove chicken and oil, leaving about 2 tbsp left in the pan.

  • Over medium high heat, stir fry green beans for 1-2 minutes until slightly blistered, then add your onions for another 30 seconds. Add in your ginger and garlic and stir fry for 30 seconds or until fragrant.

  • Turn the heat to high, then add back your chicken and sauce and mix until combined. Continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce has coated the ingredients and thickened slightly. Serve with freshly steamed rice and enjoy!

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

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About CJ

I’m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

Read more about me

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String Bean Chicken - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is string bean chicken good for you? ›

String Bean Chicken This option of lean protein and crunchy beans is a great option for those who want a flavorful kick. It provides 14g of protein, 9g of total fat and 4g of fiber. Having both high fiber and protein will provide sustained energy that last you throughout your day.

Can chickens eat raw green beans? ›

According to The Happy Chicken Coop, chickens can eat green beans only if cooked. Raw green beans contain a protein called lectin, which is toxic to chickens. It won't kill them, but Pet Keen says that it can irritate their insides. If you let your chickens eat your leftovers, ensure the green beans aren't seasoned.

How many calories are in string bean chicken? ›

String bean chicken is healthier than other items on the panda express menu because it has less starch and sugar. String bean chicken Panda Express calories for 1 serving (5.6 oz) is 190 calories, with 13g of carbs.

When should you not eat string beans? ›

Green beans are generally safe for most people. Those who are taking blood-thinners, such as warfarin, should not suddenly change the amount of vitamin K-containing foods such as green beans because vitamin K helps blood clotting.

Do string beans raise blood sugar? ›

Cooked green string beans have a combination of simple and complex carbs that can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. But fear not; there is a way to optimize their nutritional value to avoid this issue. Cook the beans in 1 tsp of coconut oil, a healthy fat that can slow down glucose absorption.

What vegetables should chickens not eat? ›

Leafy vegetation can also pose a danger. Tomatoes, peppers and potatoes are members of the nightshade family, so their leaves are toxic to many animals. Raw, green potatoes can carry this toxin in their skins, so while the flesh is safe, chickens shouldn't be fed peelings.

Why can't chickens eat beans? ›

Ducks and chickens should never eat raw or dried beans. Beans contain phytohaemagglutinin, a toxin that is fatal to birds when not cooked, and kidney beans are the worst culprit. Keep any bean plants well away from your chickens and ducks.

Why can't chickens eat raw beans? ›

Uncooked beans contain phytohaemagglutinin, a toxic compound that can get your chickens quite sick.

Are string beans healthier than broccoli? ›

Broccoli is a great source of Vitamin K and calcium. Green bean has more alpha-carotene than broccoli, however, broccoli contains more lutein + zeaxanthin than green bean. Both green bean and broccoli are high in Vitamin C, dietary fiber and potassium. Broccoli has more pantothenic acid.

What is the best selling entree at Panda Express? ›

We doubt anyone will be surprised to see The Original Orange Chicken in the number one spot. In fact, at every Panda Express we've ever been to, the dish is served from a bowl on the counter that's nearly twice the size of all the others. It's a true testament to the food's consistent popularity.

Is Panda Express String Bean chicken breast healthy? ›

If you are trying to stay on the lighter side, don't miss the string bean chicken breast at Panda Express. This heathier entree has 190 calories, 9g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 13g carbohydrate, 14g protein, and 590mg sodium. Because it comes with a sizable dose of veggies, it packs 4g of fiber.

Is it OK to eat string beans everyday? ›

Green beans, also called, string beans and snap beans by some, are great veggies to include in your diet. They are powerful sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. They are also great sources of fiber and folic acid.

Are string beans good for your stomach? ›

Green beans are a low FODMAP food

Eating low FODMAP foods may bring considerable relief to your tummy troubles. Green beans are a low FODMAP food and can be enjoyed by many people who have chronic digestive issues.

Can you eat too many green beans? ›

Yet, if you eat them, lectins are resistant to digestive enzymes. Thus, they bind to the surface of cells in your digestive system, causing symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating if consumed in high amounts ( 2 ).

Do string beans have any health benefits? ›

Green beans, string beans, or snap beans are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K, and of folic acid and fiber. They have have various health benefits, such as helping manage depression and bone health. Bean farmers harvest green beans while the beans are still in their pod before they have had a chance to mature.

Can you eat chicken and green beans everyday? ›

While a steamed vegetables and chicken diet appears to be adequately solid, as it offers prominent fiber in the vegetables, and lean protein in the chicken, it could leave you without a few fundamental supplements. This can prompt dietary fatigue and appetite, making this a troublesome diet to maintain.

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