String Bean Chicken: Better than Panda Express

Sharing is caring!

Ready to make a quick and easy mouthwatering dinner for the whole family?

Don’t sit on this string bean chicken recipe, you’ll even get the little ones to voice their pleasure with this dish.

It’s one of our favorite meals on the Panda Express menu.

I like to say this is better than Panda because you can use high-quality ingredients at home while saving money, and I don’t recall as many Mmmmm’s.

Follow these simple instructions to make the perfect juicy chicken and tender string beans.

Ingredient Profile

This recipe requires simple ingredients that you most likely already have at home.

Chicken

The best cut of meat for this recipe is boneless skinless chicken breast.

To make the perfect chicken pieces, cut the chicken breast horizontally to create 2 flat breasts.

Be sure to cut against the grain into small pieces for the best results.

You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe.

This recipe is quick because you don’t need to let the chicken sit and marinate for a long time.

Once the marinade ingredients are incorporated into the chicken, you are ready to cook.

String Beans

String Beans, also known as green beans, pair well with the chicken to create this nutritious and delicious meal.

I highly recommend using fresh ingredients however, don’t skip out on this meal if all you have are frozen!

You can use frozen green beans in a pinch, you can even use canned green beans at that rate.

If you’re looking for crunchy string beans, you can blanch your fresh string beans in hot water for a minute or two and drain. Do not boil them.

They will turn a bright green color and will be ready to cook for a few more minutes in the pan.

I like mine just soft enough to not have that stringy texture so I blanch my string beans for about 3 minutes total.

Ginger

Ginger is one of those superfoods you want to add to your diet. It has many health benefits such as:

• Helps with digestion.
• Relieves nausea and upset stomach.
• Boosts your immune system.
• May even relieve pain.

I’ve got a couple of ginger hacks up my sleeve that will help make prepping easy. 

Panda Express String Bean Chicken Recipe

This copycat string bean chicken is an easy, quick, and delicious recipe that the whole family will love. Some might say it is better than the restaurant version 😉

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs Chicken Breasts
• 1 tbsp Avocado Oil + more for saute
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 2 Garlic Cloves (pressed or minced)
• 2 tbsp Corn Starch
• 1 tsp Baking Soda

Vegetables

• 1lb String Beans (chop into thirds)
• 1 Onion (large, roughly chopped)
• 1 qt Water (to blanch beans)

Sauce

• 8 Garlic Cloves (pressed or minced)
• 1tbsp Ginger (grated)
• 2 tbsp Chicken Broth (or chicken stock)
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce (regular soy sauce or dark soy sauce)
• 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
• 1 tbsp Brown Sugar

Suggested 

• White rice or brown rice
• Sriracha Chili Sauce
• ​Sambal Chili
• Chili oil

Instructions

1. In a medium-sized pot, bring water to boil.

2. Cut your chicken breast pieces or chicken thigh pieces and add them into a medium bowl.

3. Combine soy sauce, avocado oil, garlic, cornstarch, and baking soda with your chicken.

4. Chop your string beans and onions, and keep them separate.

5. Add your string beans to boiling water and cook for only 1-3 minutes at medium heat. Do not bring it back to a boil. Drain and set aside.

6. Preheat a wok or large skillet at high or medium-high heat. 

7. Add 1 tbsp of avocado oil to the wok and disperse throughout the pan. Add chicken pieces right away into the hot oil in a single layer and do not disturb for 4 minutes.

8. Meanwhile mix the savory sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

9. After 4 minutes, turn chicken pieces and cook for another 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the wok and set aside. 

10. Saute onions for 2 minutes, add blanched string beans, chicken, and sauce. Cook on medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

11. Serve with a side of rice. Enjoy!

​Recipe Variations

You can prepare this Asian-inspired recipe in various ways! 

Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker String Bean Chicken Instructions

1. Cut your chicken breast pieces or chicken thigh pieces and add them into the insert pot.

2. Combine soy sauce, avocado oil, garlic, cornstarch, and baking soda with your chicken.

3. Chop your string beans and onions, and add to the pot.

4. Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and pour into the pot. Combine all of the ingredients.

5. Close the lid and set the valve to “seal”.

6. Pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.

7. Let the pressure release naturally.

Slow Cooker String Bean Chicken Instructions

1. Cut your chicken breast pieces or chicken thigh pieces and add them into the crockpot.

2. Combine soy sauce, avocado oil, garlic, cornstarch, and baking soda with your chicken.

3. Chop your string beans and onions, and add to the pot.

4. Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and pour into the pot. Combine all of the ingredients.

5. Cook on high for 4 hours.

Make-Ahead Freezer Meal String Bean Chicken

1. Cut your chicken breast pieces or chicken thigh pieces and add to a mixing bowl.

2. Combine soy sauce, avocado oil, garlic, cornstarch, and baking soda with your chicken.

3. Add your chicken into a freezer-safe ziplock bag. 

4. Chop your string beans and onions.

5. Mix the sauce ingredients in the mixing bowl. Combine the sauce and vegetables.

6. Place the veggies above the meat in the ziplock bag. 

7. Remove excess air, seal the bag, and keep it in the freezer for 3-6 months.

8. Thaw completely before cooking. Cook chicken first then veggies as instructed above.

Recipe Tips for String Bean Chicken

String Bean Chicken Conclusion

Next time you have a Panda Express craving, give this simple copycat recipe recipe a try!

Your family will thank you for it.