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Healthy Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 68 reviews
  • Author: Diane
  • Prep Time: 0h 15m
  • Cook Time: 0h 25m
  • Total Time: 0h 40m
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

This Healthy Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice is a flavorful, nutritious meal featuring tender chicken breast pieces coated in a tangy sesame sauce, served alongside perfectly steamed green beans and fragrant jasmine rice. The dish combines a balance of savory, sweet, and slightly tangy flavors with a delightful crunch from toasted sesame seeds, making it an excellent choice for a wholesome weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Sauce

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Green Beans

  • 2 cups green beans, trimmed

Rice

  • 1 cup jasmine rice
  • 2 cups water (for rice)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for rice)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (for rice)

Instructions

  1. Heat sesame oil: Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large pan over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
  2. Cook chicken: Add the chicken breast pieces to the pan and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Remove chicken: Take the cooked chicken out of the pan and place it on a plate to rest.
  4. Add olive oil: In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to sauté aromatics.
  5. Sauté garlic and ginger: Add minced garlic and ginger to the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and aromatic.
  6. Mix sauce ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, water, and cornstarch until the mixture is smooth.
  7. Add sauce to pan: Pour the soy sauce mixture into the pan with the garlic and ginger.
  8. Simmer sauce: Stir the sauce and let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to thicken to a glaze consistency.
  9. Combine chicken with sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss it in the thickened sauce until evenly coated.
  10. Add sesame seeds: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the chicken, stirring gently to combine for added texture and flavor.
  11. Prepare rice water: In a separate pot, combine 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
  12. Cook rice: Once boiling, add jasmine rice, stir briefly, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is fully cooked and water absorbed.
  13. Steam green beans: While the rice cooks, bring another pot of water to a boil, add trimmed green beans, and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
  14. Drain green beans: Remove green beans from boiling water and drain well. Set aside.
  15. Serve the dish: Plate the sesame chicken alongside jasmine rice and steamed green beans for a balanced meal.

Notes

  • Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt content in the dish.
  • For extra flavor, you can toast the sesame seeds before adding them.
  • Make sure not to overcook green beans; they should remain crisp and vibrant green.
  • You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan option, but the recipe is not fully vegan due to chicken.
  • Leftover chicken and rice can be refrigerated and reheated within 2 days for best quality.

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Find it online: https://savorytablerecipes.com/healthy-sesame-chicken-with-green-beans-and-rice-recipe/