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### **How to Make Panda Express String Bean Chicken at Home**
Now that we’ve covered the essential ingredients, let’s break down the step-by-step process of making Panda Express’s String Bean Chicken at home.
#### **Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients**
Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Start by washing and trimming the string beans, cutting off the ends, and cutting them into shorter lengths if desired. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips.
In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch. Add about 2 tablespoons of water to the mixture to create a slurry. Set the sauce mixture aside.
#### **Step 2: Cook the Chicken**
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Stir the chicken occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
#### **Step 3: Stir-Fry the String Beans**
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the string beans to the pan and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, or until they are bright green and slightly tender but still crisp. If you prefer softer beans, cook them for an additional 2-3 minutes. Be sure to stir the beans frequently to ensure they cook evenly.
#### **Step 4: Add Garlic and Ginger**
Once the string beans are cooked to your liking, add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, allowing the garlic and ginger to become fragrant and aromatic. Be careful not to burn them, as garlic and ginger can brown quickly.
#### **Step 5: Combine Chicken and Sauce**
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the string beans. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and string beans, stirring to coat the ingredients evenly. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth to achieve your desired consistency.
#### **Step 6: Serve**
Once everything is well coated and heated through, your Panda Express String Bean Chicken is ready to serve. Serve it over a bed of steamed white or brown rice, or enjoy it on its own for a low-carb option. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for added flavor and texture.
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### **Tips for the Best Panda Express String Bean Chicken**
To ensure your homemade Panda Express String Bean Chicken turns out perfectly every time, here are a few tips:
– **Use Fresh Ingredients**: Fresh string beans, garlic, and ginger will give the dish the best flavor. If using frozen string beans, be sure to thaw them before cooking to avoid excess moisture in the dish.
– **Don’t Overcook the Chicken**: Overcooking chicken can result in dry, tough meat. Keep an eye on the chicken and remove it from the pan as soon as it’s no longer pink in the center.
– **Adjust the Sauce**: The sauce should have a balance of salty, savory, and tangy flavors. Taste the sauce and adjust the soy sauce, vinegar, and oyster sauce to suit your preferences. You can also add a little sugar if you prefer a sweeter sauce.
– **Use High Heat**: Stir-frying requires high heat to ensure that the chicken and vegetables cook quickly and maintain their texture. Make sure your skillet or wok is hot before adding the ingredients.
– **Meal Prep**: Panda Express String Bean Chicken is perfect for meal prepping. You can cook the chicken and string beans ahead of time, store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and reheat them for an easy meal throughout the week.
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### **
Variations and Customizations**
While the traditional Panda Express String Bean Chicken recipe is delicious on its own, you can easily customize it to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are some variations you can try:
– **Add More Vegetables**: While string beans are the main vegetable in this dish, feel free to add other veggies like bell peppers, onions, carrots, or baby corn to the stir-fry. This will add more color, texture, and nutrition to the dish.
– **Spicy Version**: If you like a bit of heat, add some red pepper flakes or chopped fresh chili peppers to the sauce or stir-fry. You can also try adding chili paste or Sriracha for extra spiciness.
– **Use Tofu for a Vegetarian Version**: For a vegetarian or vegan version, replace the chicken with tofu. Press the tofu to remove excess moisture, then cut it into cubes and stir-fry it in place of the chicken. This will provide a plant-based protein alternative that works perfectly with the sauce.
– **Gluten-Free Option**: If you’re following a gluten-free diet, make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in the recipe. Additionally, check the oyster sauce to ensure it’s gluten-free, as some brands contain wheat.
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### **Conclusion**
Panda Express String Bean Chicken is a fantastic, flavorful, and healthy dish that’s easy to make at home. By using fresh ingredients and a savory ginger-garlic sauce, you can recreate this lighter, more nutritious version of a takeout favorite in no time. With lean chicken, fiber-rich string beans, and a well-balanced sauce, this dish offers the perfect combination of taste and health benefits.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, meal prep option, or a healthier alternative to fried Chinese food, Panda Express String Bean Chicken is sure to satisfy. With its savory flavors, crispy vegetables, and tender chicken, it’s no wonder that this dish has become a go-to favorite. So why not try making it yourself today? You’ll be enjoying a wholesome, delicious meal in no time!
