Chicken Breast And Green Beans Recipe For A Weeknight Dinner
Succulent chicken breast and green beans promise a wholesome dinner solution that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds.
Weeknight meals demand simplicity without sacrificing flavor, and this combination delivers precisely that.
Protein-packed and vibrant, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into something genuinely remarkable.
Mediterranean-inspired seasonings add depth and character to the classic protein and vegetable pairing.
Perfect for busy families wanting balanced meals that come together effortlessly, this dish offers maximum satisfaction with minimal preparation time.
Cooking smart means creating delicious experiences that nourish both body and soul – dive into this straightforward, mouthwatering recipe.
Why You’ll Love Chicken Breast And Green Beans
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The Method for Chicken Breast and Green Beans
Prep Ingredients
Grab your cutting board and sharp knife. Chop green beans into neat 1-inch pieces. Break down chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks around 1 inch each. Season the chicken chunks with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Sear Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Carefully place chicken chunks into the hot pan. Cook those pieces for exactly 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally to get a beautiful golden brown color on all sides. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate.
Cook Garlic and Green Beans
Drop 1 teaspoon vegetable oil into the same skillet. Toss in 2 teaspoons minced garlic and let it sizzle for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add green beans and sauté for 4-5 minutes until they’re crisp and bright green.
Create Sauce
Whisk together sauce ingredients in a small bowl:
Pour this mixture over the green beans. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and gets glossy.
Combine and Finish
Return chicken chunks to the skillet. Gently stir everything together so each piece gets coated with that delicious sauce. Heat for another minute to warm the chicken through. Your dinner is ready to serve straight from the pan.
Useful Kitchen Notes For Chicken Breast And Green Beans
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Chicken Breast And Green Beans Common Questions
Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?
Frozen green beans work perfectly! Just thaw and pat them dry before adding to the skillet. They’ll cook slightly faster than fresh beans, so reduce cooking time by a minute or two.
What if my chicken pieces aren’t exactly 1-inch chunks?
No worries! Aim for uniform sizes so the chicken cooks evenly. Slightly larger or smaller pieces won’t significantly impact the recipe.
Do I need a specific type of honey?
Any standard honey works great. Wildflower, clover, or raw honey all blend nicely in this sauce. Just measure carefully for balanced flavor.
Is cornstarch essential for the sauce?
Cornstarch helps thicken the sauce and create a glossy finish. If you’re out, arrowroot powder makes an excellent substitute with similar results.
Can I make this dish spicier?
Absolutely! Sprinkle some red pepper flakes or add a dash of sriracha when cooking the garlic for an extra kick of heat.
Chicken Breast And Green Beans Recipe
- Total Time: 19-21 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Succulent Chicken Breast and Green Beans make weeknight dinners a breeze when you need something quick and nutritious. Searing tender chicken alongside crisp green beans creates a simple yet satisfying meal that comes together in just minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 ½ cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoon corn starch
Seasoning:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Slice 2 ½ cups green beans into 1-inch pieces. Chop 1 pound chicken breasts into matching 1-inch chunks. Ensure pieces are uniform for even cooking.
- Sprinkle chicken chunks with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Add chicken and cook 5-6 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a plate. Add 1 teaspoon vegetable oil to the same skillet. Sauté 2 teaspoons minced garlic for 30-45 seconds until aromatic.
- Toss 2 ½ cups green beans into skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beans are bright green and tender-crisp.
- Whisk ¼ cup chicken broth, ¼ cup soy sauce, 3 tablespoons honey, and 2 teaspoons corn starch in a small bowl until smooth.
- Pour sauce over green beans. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and coats vegetables.
- Return chicken to skillet. Gently toss everything to combine, ensuring chicken gets fully coated with sauce. Heat for 1 additional minute.
Notes
- Trim green beans and chicken uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Season chicken generously with salt and pepper before searing to develop deep, rich flavor and create a golden-brown exterior.
- Use high heat when cooking chicken to achieve a nice caramelized surface without drying out the meat, which helps lock in moisture and tenderness.
- Corn starch in the sauce creates a silky, glossy coating that helps everything stick together beautifully and gives the dish a restaurant-quality finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 14-16 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 204 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg


Sophie Lane
Recipe Developer
Expertise
Family-friendly Meals, Simple Healthy Cooking, Ingredient Substitutions, Beginner-friendly Recipes, Flexible Meal Prep
Education
- Program: Professional Cook Certificate
- Focus: Online culinary training covering knife skills, cooking techniques, and plant-based and modern cooking approaches.
Schoolcraft CollegeSophie brings a calm and flexible approach to Families With Purpose. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, she creates recipes that feel simple, clear, and easy to make at home. She focuses on family-friendly meals, healthy everyday cooking, ingredient swaps, and beginner-friendly ideas. Sophie helps make each recipe approachable and easy to follow, especially for busy families who need meals that can bend with the day.