Description
A delicious and nutritious high-protein sesame chicken recipe featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces cooked in a flavorful, glossy sesame sauce with green beans, served over fluffy white rice. This dish balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors enhanced by fresh ginger, garlic, and lime, offering a satisfying and well-rounded meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 1.25 lbs chicken, cut into 1-inch bite-sized cubes
- 0.75 tbsp avocado oil
For the sauce:
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 1.5 tbsp honey
- 1.25 tbsp sesame oil
- 0.75 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
For serving:
- 2 cups green beans, trimmed and snapped into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup white rice
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes for even cooking. Trim the green beans and snap them into 2-inch pieces. Mince garlic and grate fresh ginger. Begin cooking white rice according to package instructions so it’s ready alongside the chicken. Proper prep ensures smooth cooking and juicy chicken.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together coconut aminos, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, lime zest, lime juice, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. This mixture balances sweet, salty, acidic, and aromatic flavors for the perfect coating.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow chicken to sit undisturbed briefly to develop a light brown color and deepen flavor.
- Add Aromatics and Sauce: Push cooked chicken to one side of the pan. Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the empty side. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour the prepared sauce into the pan; stir constantly for 3-5 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Add Green Beans and Finish Cooking: Stir green beans into the skillet mixture. Cook together for 2-3 minutes until beans are tender-crisp and chicken is fully coated in glossy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove pan from heat and sprinkle sesame seeds over chicken and green beans. Stir gently to distribute evenly. Serve the sesame chicken and green beans over the cooked white rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For best results, do not overcrowd the pan to allow chicken to brown properly.
- Using fresh ginger and garlic adds the most vibrant flavor to the dish.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Serve with steamed or fried rice alternatives for variation.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: high protein sesame chicken, sesame chicken recipe, healthy sesame chicken, Asian chicken stir fry, gluten free chicken dish, sesame chicken with green beans
