Sophie Bennett
Panda Express's String Bean Chicken is a Chinese-style stir-fry dish that combines tender chicken breast, fresh green beans, and white onions in a mild ginger-garlic soy sauce. The dish is a healthier alternative to traditional Chinese takeout, offering lean protein and vegetables. The recipe is versatile and can be customised with various vegetables, spices, and sauces to suit individual tastes and preferences. The sauce, a mix of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, is what makes this dish so fantastic and flavourful.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | Chicken breast, green beans, onions |
| Chicken Seasonings | Salt, garlic powder, baking soda, olive oil, coconut aminos, tapioca or arrowroot starch |
| Sauce Ingredients | Chicken broth, soy sauce, white wine, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, cornstarch, water |
| Nutritional Information (per 5.6 oz serving) | 190 calories, 9g fat, 2g saturated fat, 14g protein, 13g carbohydrates |
| Health Benefits | Vitamins, minerals, fiber, circulation, lower cholesterol, cancer prevention |
| Customizations | Spicy (garlic chili sauce), extra vegetables, savory (vegan oyster sauce), sweet (gluten-free hoisin sauce) |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken breast preparation
Step 1: Thinly Slice the Chicken Breast
Use a sharp knife to thinly slice the chicken breast into uniform pieces. The ideal thickness is about 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch. This ensures that the chicken cooks quickly and evenly.
Step 2: Prepare the Marinade
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ingredients for the marinade. This typically includes soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and ginger. You can also add a little baking soda to help tenderize the meat and some starch to retain moisture. Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
Add the thinly sliced chicken breast to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to overnight. The longer it sits, the more flavourful and tender the chicken will be.
Step 4: Sear the Chicken
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon or two of oil, such as vegetable oil or olive oil, to the pan. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 5: Combine with Other Ingredients
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside. If you're following the traditional Panda Express recipe, you'll now add in the green beans and onions and saute for a few minutes. Then, add the chicken back into the pan and pour in the sauce. Toss everything together until evenly coated.
Preparing the chicken breast for Panda Express green bean chicken is a simple process, but it's important to follow these steps to ensure the chicken is cooked properly and infused with flavour from the marinade. This dish is a quick and easy weeknight meal that's sure to satisfy your takeout cravings!
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Green bean preparation
Green beans are a key ingredient in Panda Express's String Bean Chicken. They can be fresh or frozen, but they should be crunchy and colourful. Before cooking, trim and dice the green beans into three equal-sized sections.
To cook the beans, first, microwave them with 1 tablespoon of water on high for 1.5 minutes. Then, rinse them under room temperature water and set them aside to drain. The beans should still be a bit firm and crisp.
Next, heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of oil. Add the green beans and onions to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes. You can also add other vegetables like Chinese broccoli, cauliflower florets, carrots, or bell peppers for extra nutrition and flavour.
Once the beans are tender but not overcooked, they are ready to be combined with the chicken and sauce. This dish is a quick and easy way to enjoy a healthy, takeout-inspired meal from the comfort of your own home.
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Sauce ingredients
The sauce is a key component of Panda Express's green bean chicken, providing an addicting flavor that makes the dish so fantastic. It is an Asian-inspired sauce with a savory, garlicky flavor and a touch of sweetness. The sauce is made with a blend of ingredients that create a mild ginger-soy flavor profile.
The sauce ingredients include chicken broth, soy sauce, white wine, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar. These ingredients are whisked together in a medium-sized skillet and brought to a simmer for about 5 minutes, creating a flavorful base. To thicken the sauce, a slurry is made by combining cornstarch and water, which is then gradually added to the sauce until it reaches the desired consistency.
The soy sauce in the dish is a staple in Asian cuisine, providing umami flavor, saltiness, and a hint of sweetness. The rice vinegar balances the saltiness of the soy sauce with its tartness, adding a bright note to the dish. The ginger and garlic in the sauce also enhance the overall flavor, providing a savory and mildly spicy kick.
Some variations and additions to the sauce ingredients include using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, adding sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and sugar to the marinade, and substituting white cooking wine for Shaoxing wine. These adjustments can be made to suit personal preferences and taste profiles.
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Marinade ingredients
The marinade for Panda Express Green Bean Chicken is made by combining a variety of ingredients, including soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. Here is a detailed breakdown of the marinade ingredients:
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is a staple ingredient in Asian cuisine, providing a savoury umami flavour along with a touch of sweetness. It serves as the base of the marinade, adding a distinct savoury taste to the dish.
Vinegar
Rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar is typically used to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce. It adds a tart and bright flavour note to the marinade, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
Ginger and Garlic
Freshly grated ginger and garlic are key ingredients in the marinade. They contribute to the distinct flavour profile of the dish, adding a savoury and slightly spicy kick. Ginger is known for its mild spiciness, while garlic provides additional health benefits.
Sweetness
A touch of sweetness is often added to the marinade to balance the other flavours. This can be achieved through the use of brown sugar, regular sugar, or even honey, depending on personal preference.
Spiciness
For those who enjoy a spicy kick, red pepper flakes or chilli sauce can be incorporated into the marinade. Adjust the amount according to your preferred level of spiciness.
Oil
Oil is an important component of the marinade as it helps to carry the flavours and coat the chicken pieces evenly. Sesame oil or olive oil are common choices, adding their unique aromatic qualities to the dish.
These marinade ingredients are combined and mixed with thinly sliced chicken breast pieces. The chicken is then allowed to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to overnight, ensuring that the flavours are thoroughly absorbed. This marination process is a crucial step in creating the signature taste of Panda Express Green Bean Chicken.
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Nutritional information
Panda Express String Bean Chicken is a Chinese-style stir-fry made with sliced chicken breast, green beans, and onions, stir-fried in a savoury Asian-inspired sauce. The sauce is made with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and other seasonings.
The dish is a good source of lean protein and vegetables. Chicken breasts are a lean protein source, providing essential amino acids for muscle repair and growth. Green beans are nutrient-dense, rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as dietary fibre. They also contain plant-derived micronutrients and minerals, boosting the immune system and aiding digestion.
The sauce also adds nutritional value to the dish. Garlic promotes circulation and lowers cholesterol, while also containing sulfur compounds that may help prevent cancer growth. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can aid digestion. Soy sauce provides umami flavour and saltiness, while rice vinegar balances the saltiness with its tartness.
A 5.6 oz serving of Panda Express String Bean Chicken has approximately 190 calories, 9g of fat, 2g of saturated fat, and 14g of protein. The dish is also estimated to contain 262 calories, 12g of carbohydrates, 27g of protein, 11g of fat, 2g of saturated fat, 73mg of cholesterol, 778mg of sodium, 596mg of potassium, 2g of fibre, 5g of sugar, 319IU of vitamin A, 10mg of vitamin C, 33mg of calcium, and 1mg of iron.
This dish is a healthy option, providing a well-rounded meal with a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals. It is also a budget-friendly option, as it can be made with simple and easily accessible ingredients.
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Frequently asked questions
Panda Express String Bean Chicken is made of chicken breast, green beans, and a sauce made with soy, ginger, and garlic.
The sauce is a savory, garlicky soy sauce with a touch of sweetness. It is made by adding chicken broth, white wine, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar to a skillet and whisking everything together.
Panda Express Green Bean Chicken is a healthy option, packed with protein and fiber. Green beans are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and plant-derived micronutrients, as well as dietary fiber. Garlic in the dish promotes circulation and lowers cholesterol.
This dish can be made in as little as 15 minutes. It is a quick and easy weeknight dinner option.
Yes, this recipe is very versatile and can be customized with various ingredients. You can add more vegetables, such as Chinese broccoli or other types of Chinese vegetables. You can also make it spicier by adding garlic chili sauce or sweeter by using gluten-free hoisin sauce.
