If you’re yearning for a homemade meal that’s packed with flavor, lightning-quick to make, and healthy enough for a weekday dinner, your search ends here with Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken. Picture tender bites of juicy chicken coated in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce, with crisp green beans adding the perfect snap. This dish checks every box: colorful, vibrant, and brimming with Asian-inspired charm, yet impossibly easy. Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken is my go-to for days when takeout tempts but home-cooked comfort wins.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of staple ingredients transform this simple dish into a restaurant-worthy weeknight favorite. Each element has a role, whether it’s adding richness, crunch, or a punch of flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to bring Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken to life:
- Chicken breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for bite-sized pieces that cook quickly and stay tender.
- Green beans: Trimmed fresh beans give a crisp bite and bright, garden-fresh color to every forkful.
- Vegetable oil: Divided for sautéing green beans and searing the chicken, choose an oil with a high smoke point for perfect stir-frying.
- Garlic: Minced garlic infuses every corner of the dish with savory fragrance.
- Fresh ginger: Grated ginger brings unmistakable warmth and a hint of zingy flavor.
- Hoisin sauce: The star of the show, hoisin is sweet, salty, and adds instant depth to the sauce.
- Soy sauce: Adds umami balance and a savoriness you can’t skip.
- Honey: It brings just the right touch of sweetness and a beautiful glaze on the chicken.
- Rice vinegar: A splash of acid lifts and brightens the entire sauce.
- Sesame oil: Just a bit is enough for that signature toasty, nutty aroma.
- Cornstarch (optional): Combined with water, it thickens the sauce if you love it extra glossy and clinging to every bite.
- Sesame seeds & green onions: (Optional) Sprinkle these over the finished dish for extra crunch, flavor, and color.
How to Make Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken
Step 1: Whisk Together the Sweet and Savory Sauce
Let’s get started by mixing the flavor-packed sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until it’s smooth and glossy. Set this aside—it’s the magic that brings Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken to life with every bite.
Step 2: Sauté the Crisp Green Beans
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Toss in the fresh green beans and sauté for just 4–5 minutes, stirring often so they stay bright and keep their satisfying crunch. Once they’re beautifully tender-crisp, transfer them to a plate and set aside for later.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken Until Golden
In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for about 5–7 minutes, turning them so all sides brown and the meat is cooked through. Don’t rush this part; that golden exterior is all about flavor.
Step 4: Layer in Garlic and Ginger
Once your chicken is cooked, stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Sizzle these aromatic ingredients for just 1 minute—you’ll smell the transformation right away as they perfume the entire dish.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Return the green beans to the skillet with the chicken, and pour the sauce over everything. Stir well to coat every piece and bean in that sweet, sticky, savory glaze. If you prefer a thicker sauce, stir in your cornstarch slurry, and continue to cook until the sauce bubbles and thickens, about 1–2 minutes.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve Hot
Take the skillet off the heat and top your Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onions. Serve it hot, and bask in the mouthwatering aroma that guarantees no leftovers!
How to Serve Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken
Garnishes
Garnishing this dish isn’t just about looks—it adds texture, flavor, and that final restaurant-worthy touch. A generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds offers nuttiness, while sliced green onions bring fresh color and a mild oniony bite.
Side Dishes
Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken pairs beautifully with fluffy steamed jasmine rice or nutty brown rice. If you’re in the mood for noodles, try serving it over a tangle of soba or rice noodles that soak up every drop of sauce. For added vegetable power, a side of steamed broccoli or a crisp Asian-style slaw works wonders.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t be afraid to get playful with your presentation! Try serving the chicken and green beans piled high in a large serving bowl family-style, or plate individually with a dome of rice and drizzle extra sauce on top. For a fun twist, wrap leftovers in lettuce leaves for quick, flavor-packed wraps.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken keeps exceptionally well. Let it cool, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen as it rests, making lunch the next day irresistible.
Freezing
You can easily freeze this dish for up to 2 months. Store cooled portions in freezer-safe containers, leaving just a bit of space at the top. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick. You can also microwave individual servings; cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid for even heating and to prevent drying out.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great alternative and bring even more juiciness to Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces and follow the same steps.
Is it okay to use frozen green beans?
Frozen green beans will work in a pinch—just make sure to thaw and pat them dry so they sauté rather than steam in the pan. Fresh green beans offer the best crunch and color.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Definitely. Whisk the sauce ingredients together and refrigerate in a jar or covered bowl up to 2 days ahead. Give it a quick stir before pouring over the chicken and green beans.
What else can I add to Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken?
Feel free to get creative with other veggies, like bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha if you like some heat.
Is this dish gluten-free?
It can be! Double-check your hoisin sauce and soy sauce labels, and opt for gluten-free versions if needed. Everything else in Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken is naturally gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to shake up your dinner routine, give Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken a whirl. It’s flavorful, fuss-free, and guaranteed to win over everyone at the table. Your next weeknight dinner hero is just thirty minutes away!
Print
Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A delicious and easy-to-make Honey Hoisin Green Bean Chicken recipe that combines tender chicken, fresh green beans, and a flavorful sweet and savory sauce. Perfect for a quick Asian-inspired dinner!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
For the Green Beans:
- 2 cups fresh green beans (trimmed)
Other Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
- Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Sauté Green Beans: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet, sauté green beans until tender-crisp. Set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Brown chicken in remaining oil, add garlic and ginger. Return green beans to the pan.
- Add Sauce: Pour sauce over chicken and beans, stir to coat. Thicken with cornstarch if desired.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Notes
- For extra heat, add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
- Can use broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers instead of green beans.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
