Crunchy Sesame Chicken Green Bean Rice Bowl Recipe

Weeknight dinners get a delightful upgrade with this crispy sesame chicken that brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.

Crunchy, golden-brown chicken pieces coated in a tangy sesame sauce create an irresistible main dish.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of textures and zesty seasonings.

The green beans add a fresh, vibrant touch to the plate, complementing the rich chicken beautifully.

Serving this meal over fluffy rice transforms a simple protein into an exciting culinary experience.

You’ll love how quickly this crowd-pleasing recipe comes together with minimal effort.

One forkful and everyone at the table will be asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Sesame Chicken Skillet Ingredient List

• Chicken: Tender meat that absorbs marinade beautifully, choose fresh boneless skinless pieces for even cooking.

• Soy Sauce: Adds deep umami flavor, select low-sodium version for better control of saltiness.
• Cornstarch: Creates silky coating and helps chicken stay juicy, ensure it's fresh and lump-free.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and complexity, freshly ground offers best flavor.

• Honey: Brings natural sweetness and helps sauce caramelize, choose raw honey for richer taste.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness, look for clear, mild variety.
• Water: Helps balance sauce consistency.
• Sesame Oil: Delivers authentic nutty aroma, use toasted version for deeper flavor.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth, fresh cloves preferred over pre-minced.
• Ginger: Offers zingy warmth, select firm, smooth root without wrinkles.

• Green Beans: Adds crisp texture and nutritional balance, choose bright green, firm pods.

• Sesame Seeds: Provides nutty crunch and visual appeal, toast lightly before garnishing.
• Green Onions: Introduces fresh, mild onion flavor, select bright green stalks with firm white bases.

• Cooking Oil: Enables smooth sautéing, use neutral oil with high smoke point like vegetable or canola.

Tools to Sauté Chicken With Beans and Rice

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken, green beans, and combining ingredients with sauce.
• Mixing Bowls: Perfect for marinating chicken and preparing sauce ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping garlic, ginger, and green onions.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients during cooking.
• Small Bowl: Useful for creating cornstarch slurry and mixing sauce components.

How to Make a One-Pan Sesame Chicken Meal

• Kickstart the Rice

Boil those rice grains until fluffy and perfect, then set aside ready for the grand finale.

• Jazz Up the Chicken

Splash chicken pieces with flavor boosters like soy sauce and seasonings. Let them mingle and get delicious for about 10 minutes.

• Whip Up Magical Sauce

Blend tangy and sweet ingredients in a bowl – soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and aromatic spices create your flavor explosion.

• Sizzle the Protein

Crank up the heat in your skillet and transform chicken into golden, crispy nuggets of deliciousness. Cook until each piece looks stunning and done.

• Dance with Green Beans

Toss those vibrant green beans into the same pan. Make them sizzle and soften while keeping their awesome crunch.

• Merge the Magic

Reunite chicken and green beans, then drench everything in your amazing sauce. Stir until every morsel is beautifully coated.

• Thicken the Drama

Stir in a secret weapon to make your sauce clingy and luxurious. Let it simmer until perfectly glossy.

• Plate with Pizzazz

Crown your rice with this flavor-packed chicken and green bean masterpiece. Sprinkle some sesame seeds for that extra wow factor.

Sauce and Seasoning Tweaks to Try Next

• Let chicken sit in marinade for up to 30 minutes for deeper flavor absorption and tenderer meat texture.
• Pat green beans dry before cooking to ensure they sear instead of steam, creating a delightful slightly charred exterior.
• Adjust cornstarch slurry quantity to make sauce thicker or thinner based on personal preference without compromising taste.
• Swap chicken with tofu for vegetarian version or use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce to accommodate gluten-sensitive diners.
• Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for extra heat, transforming the dish into a zesty Asian-inspired meal that tingles taste buds.

Serve This Dish With a Sprinkle of Sesame

• Sesame Seed Sprinkle: Scatter toasted sesame seeds over the dish for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that enhances the overall texture and appearance.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve the chicken and green beans in a large communal dish, allowing everyone to scoop their own portion over steaming rice for a cozy, interactive meal.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Chop fresh green onions or cilantro and sprinkle on top to add a bright, zesty note that cuts through the rich, savory sauce.
• Spice Level Boost: Place a small dish of sriracha or chili oil on the side, letting diners customize their heat level and add an extra kick to the meal.

Best Way to Store Chicken Skillet Leftovers

• Marinate chicken up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator to enhance flavor depth and save cooking time.
• Keep leftovers in sealed containers for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and taste when reheated gently in a skillet or microwave.
• Package cooled chicken and green beans in freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best texture and flavor.
• Double the recipe and create multiple meals throughout the week, saving time and enjoying consistent delicious dinners without daily cooking stress.

Crispy Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sesame chicken with green beans and rice delivers a delightful Asian-inspired culinary journey packed with crispy, tender chicken and vibrant flavors. Savory sesame glaze and perfectly cooked green beans complement steamed rice, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) chicken thighs or breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cups (300 g) green beans, fresh, trimmed
• ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey or brown sugar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) rice vinegar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) water
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
• 1 tbsp (8 g) cornstarch
• 1 tbsp (8 g) cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps (30 ml) water (slurry)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp (2 g) ginger, fresh, grated (optional)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups (340 g) rice, white or brown, cooked
• 1 tbsp (10 g) sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, sliced

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Instructions

1. Rice Preparation: Unleash perfectly fluffy rice following package guidelines, setting it aside to await its flavorful companion.
2. Chicken Marinade: Immerse chicken pieces in a harmonious blend of soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, and pepper, allowing flavors to meld for 10 minutes.
3. Sauce Crafting: Whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, water, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger into a luscious, aromatic elixir.
4. Chicken Searing: Ignite a large skillet with oil over medium-high heat, transforming chicken into golden, succulent morsels within 5-7 minutes. Extract and reserve.
5. Green Bean Transformation: In the same skillet, sauté green beans until they achieve a vibrant, crisp-tender texture, approximately 4-5 minutes.
6. Flavor Fusion: Reunite chicken with green beans, cascading the sesame sauce over the ingredients. Stir and allow a gentle simmer to marry the flavors.
7. Sauce Elevation: Introduce cornstarch slurry, stirring continuously until the sauce achieves a gloriously glossy, clingy consistency.
8. Plating Artistry: Crown rice with the glistening sesame chicken and green beans, sprinkling sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a final flourish.

Notes

• Let chicken sit in marinade for exactly 10 minutes to enhance flavor absorption without making meat tough.
• Use medium-high heat to achieve golden chicken exterior without burning or drying out meat.
• Quickly sauté beans for 4-5 minutes to preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture.
• Create cornstarch slurry separately and stir gradually to prevent lumps and ensure smooth, glossy sauce coating.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg