A Clean, Flavor-Packed Dinner That’s Better Than Takeout!
When it comes to crave-worthy meals that check all the boxes—healthy, satisfying, and bursting with flavor—this Healthy Sesame Chicken with Green Beans and Rice is a true weeknight champion. Tender pieces of chicken are stir-fried until golden, tossed in a sticky-sweet sesame glaze, and paired with vibrant green beans and fluffy rice for the ultimate balanced bowl.
It’s the perfect way to satisfy that takeout craving without the excess oil, sugar, or sodium, and it comes together in under 30 minutes! Whether you're meal prepping for the week or whipping up a fresh dinner for the family, this dish brings color, nutrition, and bold flavor to the table.
🛒 Ingredients
Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total: 25 mins
For the Chicken:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – 500g, diced
- Cornstarch – 20g (2 tbsp)
- Salt – ½ tsp
- Black pepper – ¼ tsp
- Olive oil or avocado oil – 1 tablespoon (15ml)
For the Sauce:
- Low sodium soy sauce – 60ml
- Honey – 45g (3 tbsp)
- Rice vinegar – 15ml (1 tbsp)
- Toasted sesame oil – 1 tablespoon (15ml)
- Garlic – 3 cloves (9g), minced
- Fresh ginger – 1 teaspoon (5g), grated
- Cornstarch – 1 tsp, dissolved in 1 tablespoon water
- Red pepper flakes – optional, for heat
For the Veggies & Rice:
- Fresh green beans – 250g, trimmed and halved
- Cooked jasmine or brown rice – 300g (about 75g dry per serving)
- Toasted sesame seeds – 1 tablespoon (optional)
- Scallions – 2, chopped
👨🍳 Instructions
🥬 Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch slurry. Set aside.
🔥 Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Toss diced chicken with salt, pepper, and cornstarch until coated.
- Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 6–8 minutes, flipping to brown all sides until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
🫘 Step 3: Cook the Green Beans
- In the same skillet, add a splash of oil and green beans.
- Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until bright green and slightly blistered. Add a splash of water and cover for 1–2 minutes to steam until tender-crisp.
🍯 Step 4: Combine & Glaze
- Return chicken to the skillet with green beans.
- Pour in the sesame sauce and toss to coat everything. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken.
🍚 Step 5: Assemble Bowls
Spoon rice into bowls, top with sesame chicken and green beans, and garnish with sesame seeds and scallions.
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 620mg
💡 Tips & Tricks
- Use chicken thighs if you prefer juicier meat.
- Trim the green beans in advance to save time on busy nights.
- Add extra veg like bell peppers or carrots for more color and nutrients.
- Meal prep ready: Divide into containers with rice and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Go gluten-free: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
🌀 My Twist: Make it a Power Bowl!
Want to supercharge this dish? Add a soft-boiled egg, a few slices of avocado, and a spoonful of kimchi for a nutrient-dense power bowl with probiotic and healthy fat benefits. It turns your meal into a restaurant-quality experience at home.
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