If you’re craving a dish that blends the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and nutty flavors, then this Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a glorious combo of tender, juicy chicken glazed in a luscious sesame sauce, bright green beans sautéed to just the right crunch, and fluffy white rice that soaks up all those incredible flavors. This recipe brings a comforting yet vibrant meal to your table, ideal for a weeknight dinner or impressing friends with minimal effort but maximum taste. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become one of those dishes you can’t wait to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients make a huge difference in this Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice Recipe. Each one plays a crucial role in delivering the vibrant flavors, satisfying textures, and appealing colors that transform this dish from everyday to extraordinary.
- Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless: The tender protein backbone that soaks up the sauce beautifully.
- Sesame oil: Adds an irresistible nutty aroma that’s signature to this dish.
- Soy sauce: Brings savory depth and perfect saltiness to the glaze.
- Honey: Balances the savory with a touch of natural sweetness.
- Garlic, minced: Provides a punch of fragrant boldness.
- Fresh ginger, grated: Adds a zesty warmth and fresh kick.
- Rice vinegar: Offers a gentle acidity that brightens the sauce.
- Sesame seeds: Give a lovely crunch and visual appeal over the final dish.
- Green beans, trimmed: Provide that satisfying crisp-tender texture and vibrant color.
- Olive oil: Perfect for sautéing the green beans to maintain their freshness.
- White rice: The fluffy, neutral base that soaks up all the saucy goodness.
- Water: Essential for perfectly cooking the rice.
- Salt and pepper: Used to season and enhance every single component.
How to Make Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Before diving into cooking, it’s essential to have everything ready and at hand. Gather the chicken breasts, cooking oils, soy sauce, honey, fresh aromatics like garlic and ginger, green beans, rice, and seasonings. This initial step sets the stage for a smooth cooking process, helping you stay organized and making the entire experience more enjoyable.
Step 2: Rinse and Cook the Rice
Rinsing the rice under cold water removes any extra starch, ensuring your rice cooks up fluffy and not sticky. Place the rinsed rice with one cup of water in a saucepan, bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until tender and all water is absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. The perfectly cooked rice will be the comforting base your sesame chicken and green beans will shine on.
Step 3: Prepare and Cook the Chicken
If your chicken breasts are thick, slicing them horizontally helps them cook evenly and quickly. Season both sides with salt and pepper, then heat sesame oil in a skillet until hot. Sear the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through—this step locks in moisture and forms a delicious crust that makes every bite irresistible.
Step 4: Whisk Together the Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, combine soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar in a small bowl. Stir until the honey dissolves and everything is well mixed. This sauce is where your sesame chicken gets its signature sweet, tangy, and savory punch, so take a moment to enjoy this aroma blooming in your kitchen.
Step 5: Simmer the Sauce and Cook Green Beans
Once the chicken is cooked and removed from the pan, pour the sauce into the same skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it thicken for a few minutes to coat the chicken perfectly. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a separate pan and sauté trimmed green beans for 4 to 5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp—this keeps their snap and vibrant color intact.
Step 6: Combine Everything and Add Finishing Touches
Return the chicken to the pan with the thickened sauce and toss to coat. Add the green beans and gently combine everything, allowing the beans to soak up some of that delicious sauce flavor. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top as a lovely finishing touch that adds both crunch and a nutty aroma, elevating the dish beautifully.
Step 7: Serve with Fluffy Rice
Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and plate alongside your sesame chicken and green beans. Taste everything, adding more salt or pepper if needed to perfectly balance the flavors. Serve immediately and savor every heartfelt bite of this beautiful homemade meal.
How to Serve Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes such as a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a handful of thinly sliced green onions add freshness and a pop of color. A small drizzle of extra sesame oil or a wedge of lime on the side can give a final flavor lift, making the presentation even more inviting and your dining experience more dynamic.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with light, complementary sides like a crisp cucumber salad or steamed dumplings. For a heartier meal, consider serving with egg rolls or a bowl of miso soup, which balance the savory-sweet flavors of the sesame chicken while adding textural variety at the table.
Creative Ways to Present
Present the chicken sliced into bite-sized chunks atop the rice with green beans artfully arranged around the plate. Alternatively, serve everything in a large shallow bowl for a modern, Asian-inspired look. For casual gatherings, stacked on toasted buns or as a filling for lettuce wraps can add fun and flair to your Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the dish cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the components together helps the flavors meld, but if you prefer, store the rice separately to maintain its texture.
Freezing
Although best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the cooked chicken and green beans with sauce in freezer-safe containers for up to two months. The rice can also be frozen but may change texture slightly upon thawing. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for the best results.
Reheating
Gently reheat leftovers on the stovetop over low heat to preserve texture, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce. Microwaving works well too; cover the dish to retain moisture and heat in short bursts, stirring occasionally to ensure even warming.
FAQs
Can I use other vegetables instead of green beans?
Absolutely! Broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers all work wonderfully in this recipe and provide different textures and flavors while keeping the dish fresh and colorful.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be, as long as you use gluten-free soy sauce and verify that other ingredients do not contain gluten. Regular soy sauce often contains wheat, so tamari or coconut aminos are great alternatives.
Can I substitute chicken breasts with thighs?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs add extra juiciness and a richer flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they are fully cooked without drying out.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or toss in some sliced fresh chili peppers while cooking the green beans. This will give the dish a nice kick without overpowering the sweet and savory balance.
What type of rice works best for this dish?
Simple white rice is classic, but jasmine rice or basmati work beautifully too, adding their own fragrant notes. Brown rice can be used for a nuttier flavor and extra fiber but will require longer cooking time.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely hope you give this Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice Recipe a try—you won’t regret it. It strikes a beautiful harmony between tasty simplicity and home-cooked comfort, perfect for any night of the week. Cooking this meal feels like wrapping yourself in a warm, delicious hug, and serving it will definitely brighten anyone’s day at your table. Happy cooking and even happier eating!
Print
Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 30m
- Total Time: 0h 45m
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice is a delicious and well-balanced meal featuring tender chicken breasts seared to perfection and tossed in a flavorful honey-soy sesame sauce. Paired with sautéed green beans and fluffy white rice, this dish combines savory, sweet, and nutty flavors for a satisfying home-cooked meal that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Vegetables
- 2 cups green beans, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Rice
- 1/2 cup white rice
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Begin by gathering all the ingredients: two boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, fresh ginger, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, green beans, olive oil, white rice, water, salt, and pepper.
- Rinse Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear to remove excess starch for even cooking.
- Cook Rice: Place rinsed rice in a medium saucepan, add one cup of water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer Rice: Once boiling, lower heat to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 15-20 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Prepare Chicken: If chicken breasts are thick, slice them horizontally to create thinner pieces for quicker and even cooking.
- Season Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Heat Sesame Oil: Heat one tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and coating the pan.
- Sear Chicken: Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar. Stir well until honey dissolves.
- Simmer Sauce: Remove chicken and add the sauce to the same skillet. Simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Trim Green Beans: Trim the ends of the green beans and set aside.
- Heat Olive Oil: In a separate pan, heat one tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté Green Beans: Add green beans and sauté for 4-5 minutes until bright green and tender but still slightly crisp.
- Remove Green Beans: Take green beans off the heat and set aside.
- Coat Chicken in Sauce: Return chicken to the skillet sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Toss Green Beans with Chicken: Add the cooked green beans back to the skillet, toss to combine and heat through.
- Add Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle one tablespoon of sesame seeds over chicken and green beans before serving.
- Fluff Rice: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and serve it alongside the sesame chicken and green beans.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and add more salt or pepper as desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately while hot, garnished with additional sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy your meal!
Notes
- For quicker cooking, slice the chicken breasts thinly to reduce cook time.
- Rinsing rice is important to remove excess starch for fluffier rice.
- You can substitute green beans with snap peas or broccoli for variation.
- If you prefer less sweetness, adjust honey amount to taste.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content if desired.
- Make sure to cook chicken fully until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Leftover rice can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or chopped cilantro for additional flavor.
