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Southern green beans with chicken and bacon in a serving dish

Southern Style Green Beans | Savory, Sweet & Spicy

Tender Southern-style green beans slow-cooked with bacon, shredded chicken, seasoned broth, and a balanced savory, sweet, and spicy flavor.
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Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients family style
  • 50 oz Green Beans drained and rinsed
  • 5 strips Bacon cooked until extra crispy, NOT BURNED
  • 3 Chicken Thighs cooked, bone-in for flavor
  • 1 large Vidalia Onion sliced
  • ½ Red Onion sliced
  • 1 stick Butter
  • 3 cups Chicken Broth/Chicken Bouillon or water + chicken bouillon
  • Seasonings:
  • 1/2-1 cup Honey adjust to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes to taste
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp Seasoning Salt adjust carefully

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Baking sheet
  • aluminum foil
  • parchment paper
  • tongs
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Large spoon to stir
  • 2 Forks for shredding - optional

Method
 

Cook the bacon
  1. Bake bacon at 350°F until extra crispy, flipping once.
  2. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Reserve a few tablespoons of bacon grease.
Sauté the onions
  1. Add the reserved bacon grease to a large pot.
  2. Add the Vidalia and red onions and cook until softened and lightly caramelized.
Build the flavor base
  1. Add the butter, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoning salt, red pepper flakes, and honey.
  2. Stir and let everything come together.
Add the Green Beans
  1. Add the drained and rinsed green beans.
  2. Stir well so they’re coated in the seasoned broth.
Add chicken - Can use rottisserie chicken
  1. Remove the skin, fat, and bones from the cooked chicken thighs.
  2. Shred the meat and stir it into the pot.
Simmer
  1. Simmer over medium-low heat for 25–40 minutes, uncovered or partially covered.
  2. Stir occasionally and let the flavors develop.
Finish it off
  1. Crumble the cooked bacon and stir it in near the end.
Taste and adjust:
  1. more honey for extra sweetness
  2. more red pepper flakes for extra heat

Notes

  • Bone-in chicken gives deeper flavor.
  • Don’t rush the simmer.
  • Add the bacon near the end so it keeps some texture.
  • These green beans taste even better the next day.