Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice

The sauce for this sesame chicken is a sweet and savory masterpiece, coating each bite with just the right amount of glaze. The combination of soy sauce, honey, and a touch of sesame oil creates a beautiful balance of flavors, while the sesame seeds on top add that crunchy texture that makes every bite satisfying. It’s not just a sauce; it’s the star of the dish that brings everything together. You’ll want to scoop up every drop, especially when you have a bed of fluffy rice to soak it all in.

As the chicken sizzles in the pan, the aroma of garlic and ginger fills the kitchen, teasing your senses and making you eager for that first bite. The green beans add a pop of freshness and color, balancing out the richness of the chicken and sauce. They’re perfectly tender, with just the right amount of snap, making each bite a delightful contrast. The rice, soft and fragrant, provides the perfect base to soak up all those savory juices. It’s comfort food with a little extra flair—hearty, satisfying, and just a touch of excitement from the toasted sesame seeds. Trust me, this dish is going to become a favorite in your regular rotation.

Key Ingredients for Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice

Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice is all about balance, with each ingredient playing a crucial role in bringing flavor, texture, and harmony to the dish. Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients that make this recipe a winner:

• Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless chicken breasts provide lean protein and a tender, juicy texture when cooked just right. They act as the perfect canvas to soak up the sauce.
• Sesame oil: This rich, aromatic oil gives the dish its signature nutty flavor. It adds depth to the sauce and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Soy sauce: A staple in many Asian dishes, soy sauce brings a savory, salty richness that helps create the backbone of the sauce. It’s essential for that umami kick.
• Honey: The sweet counterpart to the soy sauce, honey balances out the saltiness and adds a touch of natural sweetness to the glaze. It also helps thicken the sauce for a beautiful finish.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic imparts a fragrant, savory punch that complements the sweetness of the honey and the earthiness of the sesame oil. It’s the aromatic base that makes everything smell irresistible.
• Fresh ginger: Grated ginger brings a zesty, slightly spicy warmth to the dish, adding a bright and fresh flavor that cuts through the richness of the sauce.
• Rice vinegar: A dash of rice vinegar adds a subtle tang, helping to balance the flavors of the sauce and brighten up the dish without overpowering it.
• Sesame seeds: Toasted sesame seeds are sprinkled on top for crunch and a final burst of nutty flavor, giving the dish an extra layer of texture that complements the tender chicken and veggies.
• Green beans: Tender yet crisp green beans add a fresh, vibrant pop of color to the dish, along with a mild, earthy flavor that contrasts beautifully with the rich chicken and sauce.
• Olive oil: Used to sauté the chicken and green beans, olive oil adds a light, fruity richness while allowing the other flavors to shine through.
• White rice: Soft and fluffy white rice is the perfect base to soak up all that glorious sauce, providing a neutral canvas to complement the bold flavors of the chicken and vegetables.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is essential to enhance all the other flavors and bring everything into perfect balance.
• Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper adds a bit of heat and depth, rounding out the flavors and giving the dish a little extra kick.

How to Make Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice

Serving Suggestions for Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice

1. Top it with a sprinkle of scallions: To add a burst of freshness and color, chop up some green onions and sprinkle them over the dish just before serving. Their mild onion flavor pairs beautifully with the savory sweetness of the sauce, and they give the dish a vibrant pop.

2. Serve with a side of sautéed bok choy or broccoli: If you’re looking to add even more greens, sautéed bok choy or broccoli make the perfect sidekick. The slight bitterness of the bok choy or the crunchiness of the broccoli balances out the rich chicken and sauce while keeping things light and fresh.

3. Add a dash of heat with chili flakes: For those who like a little spice, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can really take the dish to the next level. The heat will complement the sweetness of the sauce and elevate the overall flavor profile, giving your meal a nice kick without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Whatever you choose, just make sure to enjoy this delicious meal with those you love – it’s the kind of dish that’s meant to be savored and shared!

How to Store Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice

To keep your sesame chicken with green beans and rice fresh for later, storing it properly is key. First, let the dish cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. This will help prevent condensation from making the chicken and rice soggy. Once cooled, you can keep the dish in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors will continue to meld together, making it just as tasty the next day.

If you’re planning to store it for a longer period, consider freezing it. To do so, portion out the chicken, green beans, and rice into separate freezer-safe containers. This way, you can reheat each component without losing its texture. When freezing, be sure to leave some space in the container for expansion. To reheat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until everything is heated through.

When it comes to reheating, a little tip is to add a splash of water or broth to the rice before microwaving or warming it up on the stove. This helps to restore some of the moisture, ensuring that everything tastes just as good as when it was freshly made.

Conclusion

And there you have it—your new go-to recipe for sesame chicken with green beans and rice! It’s everything you could want in a dish: savory, sweet, crunchy, and comforting all in one. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing with friends and family, this meal is sure to leave everyone smiling and coming back for more. The balance of flavors, from the nutty sesame oil to the bright, tender green beans, makes every bite feel like a cozy hug in food form.

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Or if you’ve got any tweaks or tips to share, I’m all ears. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions while making it. Happy cooking!

Print Recipe

Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice

Author: Emily Roberts Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 30 mins Rest Time 5 mins Total Time 50 mins

Calories: 450

Description

Crispy, golden sesame chicken coated in a sweet-savory glaze, paired with tender green beans and fluffy rice. Each bite offers a perfect balance of crunchy, savory, and fresh flavors that will leave you craving more.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 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

• 2 cups green beans, trimmed

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• ¹⁄₂ cup white rice

• 1 cup water

• Salt, to taste

• Pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. 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.
2. Next, rinse the rice under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps the rice cook more evenly.
3. Place the rinsed rice into a medium saucepan. Add one cup of water to the saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Once the water is boiling, lower the heat to a simmer and cover the saucepan with a lid. Let the rice cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
5. While the rice is cooking, prepare the chicken breasts. If the chicken breasts are thick, you may want to slice them in half horizontally to create thinner pieces. This helps them cook more quickly and evenly.
6. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
7. Heat a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat and add one tablespoon of sesame oil. Let the oil heat up for a minute, making sure it coats the entire surface of the pan.
8. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts to the pan. Sear the chicken for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
9. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar. Stir everything together until the honey has dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
10. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and place it on a plate. In the same skillet, add the prepared sauce mixture and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Let the sauce cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
11. While the sauce is simmering, trim the ends of the green beans and set them aside.
12. Add one tablespoon of olive oil to a separate pan or skillet. Heat the olive oil over medium heat for about a minute.
13. Once the oil is heated, add the green beans to the pan. Sauté the green beans for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are bright green and tender but still slightly crisp.
14. When the green beans are done, remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
15. Return to the chicken and pour the simmered sauce over the chicken breasts in the pan. Toss the chicken around to coat it evenly in the sauce.
16. Add the cooked green beans to the skillet with the chicken and toss everything together, allowing the green beans to absorb some of the sauce and heat through.
17. Sprinkle one tablespoon of sesame seeds over the chicken and green beans before serving.
18. Once the rice is ready, fluff it with a fork and serve it alongside the sesame chicken and green beans.
19. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper, if desired.
20. Serve immediately while hot, garnished with additional sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy your meal!

Note

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger mixture for 30 minutes before cooking.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some chili paste to the sauce.
• Feel free to substitute the green beans with other vegetables like broccoli or snap peas for variety.
• Use brown rice instead of white rice for a nuttier flavor and more fiber.
• Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan before sprinkling them on for an added crunch and deeper flavor.

Keywords: sesame chicken recipe, chicken with green beans and rice, sesame chicken stir fry, easy sesame chicken dinner, healthy sesame chicken recipe