Love Panda Express string bean chicken? Learn how to make Panda Express string bean chicken at home with this easy and delicious recipe. Perfect for a quick and tasty weeknight meal!

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Making Panda Express string bean chicken at home allows you to enjoy all the flavors of your favorite takeout dish from the comfort of your own home. You can customize the ingredients, chicken with string beans, or even chicken with bell peppers.
This was inspired by my other Chinese recipes including my Cha Siu Pork , Chinese Roast Pork , Mapo Tofu and Three Cup Chicken on this site. All these dishes pair well with my Chow Fun Noodles and Golden Fried Rice.
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๐ฅ Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- Boneless chicken thighs, sliced
- Baking soda
- Salt
- White pepper
- Cooking wine
- Sesame oil
- Soy sauce
- Cornstarch
For the Sauce Mixture:
- Soy sauce
- Shaoxing wine
- Fermented black beans
- Oyster sauce
- Chicken powder
- Water
- Cornstarch
- Sesame oil
Vegetables:
- Fresh string beans, trimmed
- Small onion, thinly sliced (optional)
Stir Fry Aromatics:
- Garlic, minced
- Slice of ginger
See recipe card for quantities.
๐ Substitutions
- Chicken Thighs: Swap with chicken breasts, tofu, or shrimp for variety.
- String Beans: Use snow peas, asparagus, or broccoli as alternatives.
- Shaoxing Wine: Replace with dry sherry or rice vinegar for a similar flavor.
๐ถ๏ธ Variations
- Spicy Version: Add a pinch of chili flakes or a drizzle of chili oil to the sauce.
- Extra Veggies: Include bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for added color and nutrients.
๐ฝ๏ธ Equipment
- Wok or large skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs or spatula
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
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๐ช Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken: Slice the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Prep green beans and aromatics and prepare sauce mixture
Step 3: Cook the Chicken: Heat a dry wok or pan over medium-high heat.
Step 4: Add oil and stir-fry in batches until lightly browned and fully cooked.
Step 5: Dry Fry the String Beans: Cook until blistered, then add aromatics
Step 6: Combine and Finish: Return the chicken back to the wok with the string beans
Step 7: Add the prepared sauce mixture, stir the sauce before pouring.
Step 8: Cook for 2โ3 minutes until heated through and sauce has thickened.
Written Instructions:
- Marinate the Chicken: Slice the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, combine baking soda, salt, white pepper, cooking wine, sesame oil, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Mix thoroughly.
- Add the chicken to the marinade and let it sit for 20 minutes to velvet while you prep other ingredients.
- Prep Green Beans and Aromatics: Wash and trim the ends (stems) of the string beans and set them aside. Mince the garlic and slice the ginger into large slices.
- Prepare the Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, fermented black beans, oyster sauce, chicken powder, water, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a dry wok or pan over medium-high heat. Heat 2 tablespoon of oil in the wok. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until lightly browned and fully cooked. Be careful not to crowd the pan, you may need to cook in batches. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- Dry Fry the String Beans: Add 1 tablespoon of oil back to the same wok or pan. Add the string beans and stir-fry until blistered but still crisp. This should take 8-10 minutes.
- Combine and Finish: Add the Aromatics until aromatic, then Return the chicken back to the wok with the string beans.
- To the wok, add the prepared sauce mixture, stir the sauce before pouring. Stir until it begins to thicken. Toss everything together, ensuring the sauce coats all ingredients evenly. Cook for 2โ3 minutes until heated through and sauce has thickened.
- Serve : Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dish.
๐ซ Storage
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
๐ก Top tip
For maximum flavor, let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes to absorb all the seasoning and baking soda to fully tenderize and velvet.
๐ญ FAQ
Yes! This dish is lower in calories and fat compared to other menu options. By making it at home, you can control the ingredients and make it even healthier by using less oil and fresh, high-quality produce.
Itโs a classic stir-fry dish featuring tender chicken, string beans, and onions in a savory soy-based sauce. Itโs a lighter option thatโs full of flavor and pairs well with rice or noodles.
Yes, the traditional dish includes onions, which add sweetness and depth of flavor. You can include or skip them depending on your preference.
Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for chicken thighs if you prefer a leaner option. However, chicken breast may not be as tender or flavorful as thighs, so you may want to marinate the breast longer to ensure it stays juicy.
Yes! You can customize string bean chicken by adding other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, or baby corn. These will add extra color, texture, and flavor to the dish.
- Mix the chicken with baking soda and the other marinade ingredients. Velveting tenderizes the chicken, giving it a soft, juicy texture.
- Always cut across the grain to maintain the meatโs natural tenderness.
- Slice chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, ensuring even thickness for quick and uniform cooking.
- When stir-frying the chicken, avoid overcrowding the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches. Overcrowding can cause the chicken to steam instead of sear, resulting in less flavorful, less crispy pieces. Give each piece enough space to brown evenly for the best texture and taste.
๐ More Chinese Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
๐ Recipe Card
Easy & Delicious String Bean Chicken - Panda Express Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs sliced
- ยผ teaspoon baking soda
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- ยผ teaspoon white pepper
- ยฝ tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- ยฝ tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ยฝ tablespoon cornstarch
For the Sauce Mixture:
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fermented black beans or black bean sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- ยฝ tablespoon chicken powder
- 1.25 cup water
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoon sesame oil
Vegetables & Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoon Cooking Oil
- 1 lb fresh string beans trimmed
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 slice ginger
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Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- Slice the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, combine baking soda, salt, white pepper, cooking wine, sesame oil, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Mix thoroughly.
- Add the chicken to the marinade and let it sit for 20 minutes to velvet while you prep other ingredients.
Prep Green Beans and Aromatics:
- Wash and trim the ends (stems) of the string beans and set them aside. Mince the garlic and slice the ginger into large slices.
Prepare the Sauce Mixture:
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, fermented black beans, oyster sauce, chicken powder, water, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Set aside.
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a dry wok or pan over medium-high heat. Heat 2 tablespoon of oil in the wok. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until lightly browned and fully cooked. Be careful not to crowd the pan, you may need to cook in batches. Remove from the wok and set aside.
Dry Fry the String Beans:
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil back to the same wok or pan. Add the string beans and stir-fry until blistered but still crisp. This should take 4-5 minutes.
Combine and Finish:
- Add the Ginger and garlic to the pan with the green beans, and saute 1-2 minutes until aromatic.
- Return the chicken back to the wok with the string beans.
- To the wok, add the prepared sauce mixture, stir the sauce to recombine before pouring. Stir until it begins to thicken. Toss everything together, ensuring the sauce coats all ingredients evenly. Cook for 2โ3 minutes until heated through.
Serve :
- Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dish.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips:
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Blanching the string beans for 1-2 minutes before stir-frying can help retain their bright green color and crisp texture.
Louisa says
loved!