Easy Ground Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry

Ground chicken, green beans, bell pepper, and onion all simmer in a delicious sauce in this 30-minute stir fry! This entree is loaded with protein and can be served with rice, cauliflower rice, or even roasted potatoes.

Update: This recipe was originally published in 2023 and has been republished with all new photos.

Give me a quick high protein and veggie entree any day of the week and I’m happy. Some version of that combination is what I make truly 6 out of 7 nights. It’s healthy and creates minimal mess for me to clean up. You’ve gotta love a meal that’s fast enough for busy weeknights and tasty enough to make the whole family happy.

In this stir fry I’m using ground chicken. It’s low fat and really doesn’t taste like much on its own but it can wow with the right mix of seasonings. That’s what sets it apart from ground turkey which has a very pronounced flavor that you have to work hard to cover up.

Fresh green beans, red bell pepper, and onion are my vegetables of choice here. Now add a few flavorful ingredients for the sauce and you’re done!

While you can serve this alone, I recommend plating with white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, Easy Seasoned Roasted Potatoes, or Easy Diced Air Fryer Potatoes.

Craving more ground chicken recipes? Try my Ground Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry, Healthy Ground Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry, Ground Chicken Taco Meat, or Ground Chicken Burgers. You’ll also enjoy my easy recipes made with ground turkey like Ground Turkey and Potato Skillet, Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet, or The Best No Bean Low Carb Turkey Chili.

Ingredients for Ground Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry

• Ground chicken: You’ll find both ground chicken and ground chicken breast in grocery stores. Both are protein options that work well in this recipe. You can also substitute ground turkey if you prefer. Lean ground beef or ground pork work if you prefer red meat but I encourage you to try ground chicken! This stir fry is a great way to get comfortable with this lean protein!
• Olive oil or avocado oil: We’re sautéing green beans and peppers in a little oil to get them perfectly tender.
• Green beans: Fresh green beans are the vegetable of choice in this quick stir fry recipe.
• Red bell pepper: Bell peppers come in several colors and you can use whichever you prefer. I recommend a red bell pepper for this easy recipe because it has a hint of sweetness and the color is beautiful with the other veggies.
• White or yellow onion: You can use white onion or yellow onion in this easy meal.
• Coconut aminos or soy sauce: Coconut aminos is a great soy sauce substitute. It’s slightly sweet and contains a lot less sodium. Low sodium soy sauce also works well.
• Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar is made from fermented rice. It’s popular in marinades and stir fries because it has that classic tanginess you expect from vinegar but it’s a bit sweeter. You can use apple cider vinegar if you need a quick substitute. They’re not exactly the same but in small amounts it will work.
• Sesame oil: Sesame oil has a rich, almost nutty taste that’s a fantastic addition in stir fries. A small amount goes a long way.
• Sriracha: Sriracha adds flavor and a bit of heat to our stir fry sauce.
• Minced garlic: Minced garlic is delightful and pungent. You can mince your own fresh garlic or use a jarred variety.
• Arrowroot flour or cornstarch: A little arrowroot flour or cornstarch thickens the homemade sauce. Both are great options.
• Seasonings: Chili powder, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper are the only seasonings you need to give this stir fry so much flavor.

How to Make Ground Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry

Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, add the green beans, bell pepper, and sliced onion. Sauté uncovered until green beans have some browning but are still slightly crispy. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.

Add the pound of ground chicken to the now empty skillet on the stovetop. Use a spatula to crumble the meat. Cook ground chicken, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper.

While the ground chicken is cooking, add the sauce ingredients to a jar. Screw the lid on the jar and shake until well combined. You can also stir together the ingredients in a small bowl.

Add the veggies back to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low. Pour your sauce into the skillet and stir for 2 minutes. You should see the sauce thicken immediately.

Ladle this easy ground chicken stir fry into bowls with white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice. Top with sesame seeds, chopped fresh basil, or diced green onions. For a little heat you can add crushed red pepper flakes if you like.

Soy Sauce vs Coconut Aminos

Soy sauce or coconut aminos can be used in this stir fry. They have a similar flavor although coconut aminos is slightly sweeter. Coconut aminos is a soy sauce substitute that has a lot less sodium and contains no soy. It has no coconut flavor! You can find it in your local grocery store on the aisle with soy sauce or in the gluten free section. Learn more about what it is and why it’s so popular in healthy recipes here.

Arrowroot Flour vs Cornstarch

Arrowroot flour is a starch extracted from the arrowroot plant and it is a fantastic substitute for cornstarch or regular white flour for thickening. It’s a lot less processed, completely flavorless, and blends into everything. It cannot be used in exactly the same way as other thickeners so be sure to follow recipe instructions so you’re using it correctly. In this recipe I shake it in a jar with my sauce ingredients. Then I add that into the skillet at the end of my cooking time.

Both cornstarch and arrowroot flour can be used to thicken the sauce in this stir fry. Choose whichever you prefer.

What Size Skillet is Best for Stir Fries?

I recommend an 11 or 12″ skillet for all my skillet meals. You’ll be able to accommodate more food in the pan this way which ensures quick and even cooking. Using a skillet that’s too small increases your cooking time. It also makes it much more difficult to achieve the browning we want.

Is This Stir Fry Good for Meal Prep?

This recipe is delicious for meal prep because both the chicken and green beans hold up well after reheating. You can refrigerate in airtight containers in your refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Warm on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Is This Stir Fry Freezer Friendly?

Yes! You can freeze in an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy just thaw and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

How to Serve This

The best part of veggie-loaded stir fries like this one is that they are designed to be a complete meal so you can enjoy as is. I personally enjoy serving with rice (white, brown, or cauliflower) to make it heartier. You could also serve this over my Easy Seasoned Roasted Potatoes or Easy Diced Air Fryer Potatoes.

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