Is string bean chicken your favorite Chinese takeout dish from Panda Express? Learn how easy it is to make this popular entree in the comfort of your own kitchen.
The homemade mild ginger soy sauce is savory and garlicky with a touch of sweetness. The chicken is tender and flavorful thanks to the marinade, and the vegetables have a bit of bite to them, which makes for a very satisfying Chinese stir fry.
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Ingredients
The ingredients for this copycat Panda Express string bean chicken are easy to find in most grocery stores. Some of the pantry items will be found in the Asian section.
- Protein: Use boneless, skinless chicken breast for the original version, but boneless, skinless thighs would also work if you prefer dark meat.
- Vegetables: Fresh green string beans are best; frozen just wouldn't be the same. White onion is preferred, but yellow onion can be substituted.
- Oil: Use a high smoke oil for the stir fry, and toasted sesame oil for the sauce.
- Aromatics: Fresh garlic and fresh ginger are used in the sauce.
- Acid: Rice wine vinegar is used in both the marinade and the sauce. Substitute with Chinese black vinegar.
- Thickener: Cornstarch is used in both the marinade and the sauce. Substitute with arrowroot if you need gluten free.
- Wine: Mirin, a Japanese sweet wine, is used in small quantities. Substitute white cooking wine or Shoaxing wine.
- Soy: Reduced sodium soy sauce was used, but feel free to substitute with liquid aminos for a gluten free or soy free version.
- Umami: Gluten free Hoisin sauce was used because it's easier to find, but black bean paste found in an Asian store would be more authentic.
Questions
What is string bean chicken at Panda Express?
It is a popular entree on their fast food menu. This dish consists of thin pieces of chicken breast, fresh string beans, and white onion that are tossed in a mild ginger soy sauce.
How many carbs are in this recipe?
For a 5.6 oz or one cup serving size, the Panda Express string bean chicken breast has 190 calories, 13g carbs, 590 mg sodium, 4g fiber, and 14g protein. Our copycat recipe has 315 calories, 13.7g carbs, 459 mg sodium, 2.5g fiber, and 21.5g protein.
Is the string bean chicken at Panda Express gluten free?
No, Panda Express restaurants in the United States use soy sauce which typically have wheat in them. If you need it gluten or soy free, make our recipe. It cooks in 12 minutes.
How much does a large order of string bean chicken cost at Panda Express?
A large order contains 3 ¼ cups or 586g of string bean chicken and it costs $10.20 plus tax. A large order that comes in their classic red box can serve four adults if you have other side dishes like rice and chow mein.
How to Make
Gather all the marinade ingredients, then whisk them together in a bowl.
Pour over the thinly sliced chicken and allow it to marinate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, chop the green beans and onions.
Gather the ingredients for the sauce.
To make the sauce, whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl, except the cornstarch, which will be added later.
Heat up 2 tablespoons of oil in the wok over medium high heat, then stir fry the chicken for 3 minutes and place in a bowl. Wipe out the wok with paper towel.
Next, heat up the rest of the oil, then stir fry the onions and string beans for 2 minutes and place in the same bowl as the chicken.
To thicken the sauce, make a slurry with the cornstarch and one tablespoon of water. Whisk that into the sauce then pour the sauce into the wok and stir until it thickens, roughly a minute.
Add the chicken, onion and string beans back into the wok and heat through making sure to coat each piece with the ginger soy sauce.
Serve warm with other sides like Panda Express copycat chow mein and enjoy!
Variations
- Prefer dark meat? Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Need this vegan? Substitute the chicken for tofu cubes or cauliflower florets.
- Need this gluten free? Use liquid aminos, tamari, or coconut aminos instead of the soy. Make sure to use gluten free Hoisin sauce (affiliate) as well.
- Want this spicy? Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of hot chili oil, red pepper flakes, or sambal oelek.
- Want more vegetables? Use broccoli, carrots, red bell pepper, and zucchini.
Pro Tips
- Prep everything before you start cooking.
- Use fresh ingredients for the green beans, onion, garlic, and ginger.
- Marinate the meat for 30 minutes or overnight.
- Cook in batches so the wok doesn't get overcrowded.
Interested in other Panda Express recipes?
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Firecracker Chicken
- Sweet Fire Chicken
- Mushroom Chicken
- Black Pepper Chicken
- Eggplant Tofu
- Fried Rice
- Chow Mein
- Super Greens
Interested in other Asian recipes?
- Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Copycat Chick-fil-A Asian Salad
- Sticky Asian Chicken Thighs
- Thai Vegetable Stir Fry
- Vegetable Stir Fry with Orange Sauce
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PrintRecipe
Panda Express String Bean Chicken Breast Copycat
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
Description
Our Panda Express string bean chicken breast copycat recipe will curb your Chinese food cravings any night of the week. It's delicious and is better for you and your budget. It cooks in only 12 minutes, and is gluten free friendly.
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce (30 ml)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (30 ml)
- 1 tablespoon mirin (15 ml)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
For the Stir Fry Sauce
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce (30 ml)
- 5 teaspoons gluten free Hoisin sauce (25 ml)
- 1 tablespoon mirin (15 ml)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (15 ml)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (15 ml)
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
For the Stir Fry
- 12 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced (1 ½ cups; 350g)
- 3 cups green beans, cut into 3-inch pieces (269g)
- 1 cup white onion, sliced (100g)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided (60 ml)
Instructions
- Marinade: Whisk all the marinade ingredients together until well mixed. Pour it on top of the breast, and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge. When ready to use, drain the pieces of meat with a slotted spoon and discard the marinade.
- Sauce: Add all the sauce ingredients to a bowl, except for the cornstarch, and whisk to combine. You should have ½ cup of sauce.
- Cook Meat: Heat up 2 tablespoons of oil in the wok over medium-high heat. Add the meat and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Place in a bowl and wipe the wok clean with paper towel.
- Cook Vegetables: Heat up the other 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat and stir fry the string beans and onion for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the cooked vegetables to the bowl of cooked meat.
- Sauce: Whisk the cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then whisk the slurry into the sauce. Pour it into the wok and cook to thicken it up, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Make sure to stir the sauce constantly to prevent burning.
- Stir Fry: Add the meat and vegetables back to the wok, stir to coat each piece with the stir fry sauce, and heat it through, roughly 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve: Serve hot with white or brown rice and other Panda Express side dishes like chow mein, super greens, fried rice, or eggplant tofu.
Notes
- Have everything ready before you start cooking.
- For the best flavor, use fresh green beans, onion, garlic, and ginger that you chop yourself.
- Marinating the meat for at least 30 minutes will give you more flavor.
- Avoid overcrowding the wok by cooking in batches.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: string bean chicken, Panda Express, healthy
Alex
The chicken tastes nice with the sauce, and the green beans are really crunchy and delicious! The onions also add a chewy texture.
★★★★★
Emma
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the string bean chicken, Alex!
Beth
This chicken tastes like ginger, which goes well with the beans. The chicken is chewy and soaks up the sauce very well. The onions are crunchy and yummy. Generally, I find that the Panda Express version had more sauce and umami taste.
★★★★★
Emma
We're glad you enjoyed the chicken, Beth!