This copycat string bean chicken is like Panda Express, (but even way better) and so fast to make! Fresh string beans with sautéed chicken, and garlic soy sauce mix creates a lip-smacking, healthy dish for meal prep, dinners, and everyday type recipes.
Updated on February 17, 2025
Table of contents
Making String Bean Chicken Copycat Panda Express Style
You can make this a string bean chicken breast recipe similar to Panda Express and also incorporate thighs and other vegetable add-ons, making this dish a versatile and great foundation base for your recipe repertoire.
I only used chicken and string beans for this variation, and guess what, it was loaded with flavor and was less than 20 minutes to make and very little prep.
Easily add onion as you wish, but yes you read that right, a main two ingredient entree dish with lots of wow factor. This recipe is on my “everyday” meals rotation.
Adding white onion would make this dish more like Panda’s (but still better), but it is optional as the recipe is already very flavorful. If you do add it, just add it in with the string beans.
Better-than-Takeout
Bring takeout style enjoyment into your own kitchen by cooking up delectable, tender chicken, perfectly crisp string beans and the tasty compliments of ginger, garlic, soy, and a touch of oyster sauce to round it all out.
I love spicy, so I add some chili sauce on the side, and there you have it, a beautiful string bean chicken recipe. Serve with a side of rice, and dinner is served.
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Ingredients
The technique is in the adding of ingredients, not really the ingredients themselves. That’s what I always say about most Asian food, it’s the order in which things are cooked, how they are cut, and the process to each ingredient that makes the aromatics, texture, and sauces all come together.
Main Ingredients
- chicken thighs
- Haricot vert / string beans
- white onion (optional)
- avocado oil
Chicken Marinade
- Shaoxing Wine
- Soy Sauce
- Brown Sugar
- a touch of garlic
- Cornstarch
SAUCE INGREDIENTS
- minced garlic
- minced ginger
- low sodium soy sauce
- oyster sauce
- brown sugar
- rice vinegar
- sesame oil
- cornstarch
- pepper to taste
Equipment
Instructions
You’ll want to cut the ends of the beans and make sure they are dry. The onions (optional) should be lengthwise and about a half inch thick. Then the chicken, cut small and uniformly cut.
First, cut the chicken into small bite-sizes and then marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours, up to overnight.
Marinate the Chicken
I use chicken thighs (though you can use chicken breast too) and I do this around lunch, and then the marinated chicken is ready for dinner.
This creates the tender moistness to make this a memorable dish, you’ll want to replicate it again and again.
Making String Bean Chicken
Then you’ll need to heat some oil over medium heat and sauté your chicken. I use avocado oil or you can use vegetable oil when you are using high heat temperatures.
The key to getting a good sear, is drop your chicken in and let it be! Don’t move it, this way you get that browning that makes it delicious.
Once the chicken is just done, move it out so you can add some oil over high heat, and then sauté the beans and onions. Let them sit! This way they get a nice little sear.
Then, add the sauce. Mix and toss till the beans are cooked, but crisp.
This only takes several minutes…because nothing worse than overcooked veggies, so drop in the sauce right away, add the cooked chicken right before you are ready to be done cooking. Mix till the sauce is thicker. Remove from the heat source as soon as ready.
This recipe does not need added salt, but you can sprinkle ground black pepper to taste.
Then serve and enjoy!
It’s quick and easy.
Rice or Asian noodles pair nicely with stir fried string beans and chicken. You can add in other vegetables. Garnish with chilis or chili sauce for some heat. Have a side of chili sauce, shrimp paste for umami salty goodness, or just make more of the sauce you made with the actual dish to spoon over rice.
Yes, in an airtight container.
Marinate the chicken.
Yes, omit the chicken and sub firm tofu or Shitake mushrooms.
Just use gluten-free soy sauce and gluten-free oyster sauce. I love and use those ingredients and they still come out with a tasty dish.
String Bean Chicken Panda Express
Equipment
- mixing bowl for sauce
- 1 wok or large braiser pan
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 1 lb string beans
- 1 cup white onion Optional – cut lengthwise ½" thick
- 4 tbsp avocado oil or high heat oil
Marinade
- ½ cup Shaoxing Wine
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tsp cornstarch
Main Sauce Mixture
- ¾ tbsp garlic minced
- ¾ tbsp ginger minced
- 4 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tbsp rice vinegar
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Mix all marinade and marinate the cut up chicken for at least 4 hours1 lb chicken thighs, ½ cup Shaoxing Wine, ½ cup low sodium soy sauce, 1 tbsp garlic, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 tsp cornstarch
- Mix all Main Sauce ingredients in bowl and set aside for later.¾ tbsp garlic, ¾ tbsp ginger, 4 tbsp low sodium soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, ½ tbsp rice vinegar, ½ tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp cornstarch
- When ready, heat 3 tablespoons avocado oil in your wok or thick bottomed braiser pan. Medium-high heat.4 tbsp avocado oil
- Pull chicken from the marinade (discard leftover marinade) and lay chicken pieces in the pan. Do not move the chicken so it begins to sear and get browned. Finish sautéing once they look nicely seared. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add a a little oil, about a tablespoon, to the same pan. Medium-high heat. Drop in the beans (and onions if you decide to included those).1 cup white onion, 1 lb string beans
- Let the beans sit and sear. Once they look seared, toss around and add in the Main Sauce Mixture.
- Add back in the chicken and keep mixing everything until the sauce thickens. About 1-2 minutes.
- Immediately remove from heat and sprinkle ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- serve with a side of rice
- serve with a side of Asian noodles
- add in eggplant or tofu
- add in chili garlic sauce to make it spicy
- add in shrimp paste to make it more umami
- garnish with toasted sesame seeds
- have a side of crunchy chili oil
- try just using chicken breast
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