Honey Garlic Chicken and Green Beans Recipe

A Simple, Happy Supper

I love a meal that comes together in one pan. It feels so simple and smart. This honey garlic chicken is one of those perfect weeknight dinners.

The smell fills your whole kitchen. It makes everyone hungry. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

The Little Secret to Golden Chicken

Coating the chicken in arrowroot powder is my favorite trick. It gives the chicken a lovely, light crust. It holds all the saucy goodness later on.

I still laugh at that one time I used flour instead. The sauce got so gloopy. This little step matters because it makes the texture just right.

A Sauce to Make You Smile

The sauce is just a few things whisked together. Sweet honey, salty soy, and a kick from the garlic and ginger. It’s a happy dance of flavors.

Fun fact: Honey is the only food that never spoils. They found pots of it in ancient Egyptian tombs! When the sauce bubbles and thickens, it coats everything beautifully. This matters because a good sauce brings the whole dish together.

Cooking With My Grandson

My grandson Leo helped me make this last week. He was in charge of trimming the green beans. He said it was like giving them a haircut.

We talked about school while the chicken cooked. It was our little moment. What’s your favorite thing to cook with someone else?

Your Turn in the Kitchen

This recipe is very forgiving. Don’t have fresh ginger? A little ground ginger works just fine. The goal is a tasty dinner, not perfection.

I love seeing green onions on top. They add a fresh, bright finish. Do you have a favorite garnish you like to add to your meals?

A Dish for Sharing

This dish always makes a lot. It’s perfect for sharing with family around the table. Or, you can pack the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Food tastes better when we eat it together. It’s a simple truth. What’s a meal that always makes you think of your family?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Boneless skinless chicken breasts		Cubed
Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)		For coating chicken and for sauce slurry
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt		To taste
Black pepper		To taste
Olive oil		Divided
Fresh green beans		Trimmed
Green onions		Chopped, for garnish
Sesame seeds		Optional, for garnish
Chicken broth
Low-sodium soy sauce
Honey
Garlic		Minced
Fresh ginger (or ground ginger)
Water		For slurry with arrowroot

My Favorite Honey Garlic Chicken & Beans

This dish always reminds me of my grandson, Leo. He calls it “the sticky chicken.” He would eat it every single day if he could. The smell of garlic and honey fills the whole house. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It makes everyone come running to the kitchen. I love how simple it is to make. You probably have most of the things in your pantry already. Let’s get cooking together.

Step 1: First, let’s get our chicken ready. Cut your chicken breasts into little bite-sized cubes. Now, toss them in a bowl with the arrowroot powder and those good spices. I use garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a good shake until every piece is coated. This makes the chicken get all golden and crispy later. (A hard-learned tip: Don’t skip the arrowroot! It makes the sauce thick and shiny later on.)

Step 2: Heat up half of your olive oil in a big skillet. Carefully add your chicken pieces. You should hear a happy little sizzle. Cook them until they are golden brown on all sides. Make sure there’s no pink inside. Then take the chicken out and set it aside on a plate. I still laugh at how my cat, Whiskers, watches this step. He thinks it’s all for him!

Step 3: Now, using the same pan, add the rest of your oil. Toss in your fresh green beans. A little salt and pepper will make them sing. Cook them until they are tender but still have a nice crunch. You want them to be a bright green color. Do you like your green beans soft or with a little snap? Share below!

Step 4: While the beans are cooking, let’s make our magic sauce. Just whisk it all together in a bowl. You need chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, and your minced garlic and ginger. In a tiny separate cup, mix your arrowroot with a bit of water. This is our slurry. It will thicken our sauce beautifully. This is the secret to that glossy, restaurant-style finish.

Step 5: Time to bring the family back together! Put the cooked chicken right into the skillet with the green beans. Pour that lovely sauce over everything. Give it a good stir. Now, add your arrowroot slurry. Bring it all to a boil, then turn the heat down low. Let it bubble gently until the sauce gets thick and coats everything. Oh, it looks so good already.

Cook Time	25–30 minutes
Total Time	35–40 minutes
Yield	4 servings
Category	Dinner

Let’s Mix It Up!

This recipe is like a good friend. It’s wonderful just as it is, but it’s also happy to change. Feel free to play around with it. You can make it new every time you cook it. Here are a few of my favorite twists to get you started. I’d love to hear which one you like best.

• Sweet & Spicy: Add a big spoonful of chili paste or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• Veggie Lover’s: Swap the chicken for big, meaty mushrooms or cubes of firm tofu. It’s so good!
• Pineapple Sunshine: Toss in a cup of fresh pineapple chunks with the sauce. It adds a sweet, tropical touch.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve Your Masterpiece

Now, let’s talk about what to serve with your beautiful chicken. A fluffy bed of white rice is my go-to. It soaks up that delicious sauce perfectly. You could also use brown rice or even noodles. Don’t forget your final toppings! A sprinkle of chopped green onions and sesame seeds makes it look so pretty. It adds a little crunch, too.

For a drink, a cold glass of iced green tea is just right. It’s nice and refreshing. If you’re having a special night, a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio pairs wonderfully. It cuts through the sweetness of the honey. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Honey Garlic Chicken Fresh

This dish keeps well in the fridge for three days. Just pop it in a sealed container. You can also freeze it for up to three months.

I love making a double batch for easy meals. It saves so much time on a busy week. I remember my grandson visiting on a snowy day.

I pulled this from the freezer for a quick, warm lunch. He said it tasted just as good. This is why batch cooking matters. It gives you a homemade meal with no fuss.

Reheat it gently in a pan on the stove. Add a tiny splash of broth or water. This keeps the chicken from drying out. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups

Is your sauce too thin? Make sure your slurry is well-mixed. A lumpy slurry will not thicken properly. I once added my slurry too fast.

The sauce became gloppy instead of smooth. Now I whisk it in slowly. This matters because a smooth sauce coats everything beautifully.

Are your green beans soggy? You might be crowding the pan. Cook them in a single layer. This lets them get tender-crisp and browned.

Is the dish too salty? Try using low-sodium soy sauce next time. You can also add a teaspoon more honey. Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use tamari instead of regular soy sauce. It tastes just the same.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. You can coat the chicken hours before. Keep it covered in the fridge until cooking.

Q: What if I don’t have arrowroot? A: Cornstarch works perfectly. They both thicken the sauce in the same way.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You sure can. Use a very large skillet so everything cooks evenly.

Q: Are the sesame seeds needed? A: They are optional. But they add a lovely little crunch. *Fun fact: A teaspoon of sesame seeds has more calcium than a glass of milk!* Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this recipe becomes a favorite in your home. It is a simple, happy meal. I love hearing your stories and seeing your creations.

Your photos and notes always make my day. Please share your own kitchen adventures with me. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Olivia Hartwell.