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    Home » Recipes » Mains

    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken

    Modified: Apr 17, 2024 · Published: Nov 1, 2023 by Christie Lai · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Video

    Tender chicken stir fried with hearty mushrooms, zucchini in a delicious stir-fry sauce. This quick and easy Panda Express mushroom chicken is made with simple ingredients in one pan! It's better-than-takeout saving you money!

    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients & Substitutes
    • Expert Tips
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Pairing Suggestions
    • FAQ
    • Other Copycat Panda Express Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken features ultra-tender chicken stir fried with mushrooms and zucchini in a light ginger soy sauce. Bursting with a savory flavor, this copycat version is better than the original!

    Panda Express is a Chinese-American fast food chain in the United States. Famous for serving popular Chinese Takeout dishes like their Mongolian Chicken, Orange Chicken, or Honey Walnut Shrimp.

    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken

    This chicken stir fry is a great main dish serving best with white rice or brown rice! But I share many pairing suggestions below.

    After having Panda Express' Mushroom Chicken, I personally think my version is better and authentic to Chinese cuisine because the chicken is velveted leading to a very tender bite!

    Ingredients & Substitutes

    Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements. 

    key ingredients to make this recipe

    Note: Most Asian grocers will carry these ingredients. You may find some at your select local grocery store or online, like on Amazon.  

    • Boneless skinless chicken breasts or skinless boneless chicken thighs. If you're worried that the white meat in chicken breasts will go dry, they won't with my velveting technique in using oil, cornstarch and baking soda! Dark meat is obviously more flavorful so use what you enjoy! 
    • Green Zucchini: or substitute with yellow zucchini
    • Mushrooms: white mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, or shiitake mushrooms all work
    • Neutral oil: like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil. Avoid olive oil, coconut oil or any heavy scented oils. 
    • Water

    Chicken Marinade

    ingredients to marinate chicken
    • Regular soy sauce: or substitute with low sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce. If you’re gluten-free, substitute with tamari sauce, coconut aminos or a gluten-free soy sauce.
    • Neutral oil
    • Cornstarch: or substitute with potato starch
    • Shaoxing wine: a Chinese rice cooking wine. Or substitute with Dry Sherry. For a non-alcoholic or gluten-free version, substitute with any broth.
    • White pepper: or substitute with black pepper 
    • Baking soda: the key ingredient to tenderize the meat as it raises the acidity preventing protein bonds.

    Stir-Fry Sauce

    ingredients to make stir fry sauce
    • Garlic cloves
    • Fresh Ginger 
    • Regular soy sauce
    • Oyster sauce: or substitute with vegetarian stir fry sauce if you don't like oysters. If you're gluten-free: substitute with a gluten-free version.
    • Corn starch
    • White Sugar or Brown Sugar 
    • Sesame oil
    • Shaoxing wine
    • Low-Sodium Chicken broth: or substitute with beef stock, vegetable stock or as a last resort, water

    Equipment

    • Cutting board
    • Measuring set
    • Sharp knife
    • Large skillet or wok 

    Expert Tips

    • Thinly slice the chicken on a bias (which means against the grain on a 45 degree angle) for tender chicken.
    • Do not skip on the baking soda or cornstarch when marinating the chicken! This makes the meat very tender! Don't worry you can't taste the baking soda.
    • Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 20 minutes.
    • Cut zucchini into half moons for easier consumption!
    • Prepare all the ingredients in advance as the cooking process is quick!

    Instructions

    Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make Panda Express Mushroom Chicken:

    Marinate Chicken and Make Sauce

    marinate sliced chicken with marinade ingredients

    Transfer sliced chicken into a large bowl. Add Marinade ingredients as listed above. Mix well and let this marinate for at least 20 minutes. 

    in a small bowl combine stir fry sauce ingredients

    In a small bowl, combine Stir Fry Sauce ingredients as listed above. 

    Cook Chicken and Vegetables

    fry chicken until cooked and remove from pan

    In a large pan on medium high heat, add 2 tsp vegetable oil. Once hot, fry chicken until cooked through with a golden brown sear on the edges, about 2-3 minutes. The chicken cooks relatively fast so closely monitor it. Remove and set aside. 

    fry vegetables and add ¼ cup water to speed up the process

    Reduce to medium heat, add 1 tsp vegetable oil. Fry zucchini and mushrooms for 1 minute to let them brown. Then add ¼ cup water to help cook them until softened. Cook until water has completely evaporated. 

    Simmer Sauce and Add Chicken

    simmer the sauce

    Pour in sauce, and mix with vegetables. Allow this to simmer to thicken. 

    toss back in cooked chicken

    Once sauce is thickened, add in cooked chicken. Toss to mix. Enjoy! 

    Storage

    • Leftovers will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat: microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot or reheat in a pan on medium heat.
    • Freezer friendly? I don't recommend freezing mushroom chicken as the vegetables will become mushy.

    Pairing Suggestions

    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken serves well with:

    • starters like egg rolls, crab rangoons, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup
    • white or brown rice, cauliflower rice, fried rice, chow mein, lo mein, or plain noodles
    • cooked vegetables like bok choy, garlic green beans or stir fried snow pea leaves.

    FAQ

    Can I add additional vegetables to this stir fry? 

    Yes! Feel free to add any veggies you like. I recommend any crunchy veggies, such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, or snow peas.

    Can I substitute with another protein?

    Yes, beef, pork or shrimp would work well.

    Can I make this spicy?

    Yes, add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes into the sauce mixture.

    Can I make this in advance? 

    This can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To enjoy, reheat it in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop on medium heat.

    Other Copycat Panda Express Recipes

    • General Tso Chicken
    • Lemon Chicken
    • Mongolian Beef
    • Kung Pao Chicken
    • Black Pepper Beef

    📖 Recipe

    Quick & Easy Panda Express Mushroom Chicken

    Christie Lai
    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken. Tender chicken stir fried with hearty mushrooms, zucchini in a delicious stir-fry sauce. This version is better than the original. Ready in 30 minutes!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 7 minutes mins
    Total Time 27 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Chinese
    Servings 4
    Calories per serving 202 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 lb chicken breast sliced on a bias into ¼ inch thick pieces
    • 1 small zucchini cut into half circles
    • 4 oz white mushrooms or cremini mushrooms, sliced
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil
    • ¼ cup water to cook the veggies

    Chicken Marinade:

    • 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil
    • 1.5 tablespoon Cornstarch or sub with potato starch
    • 2 teaspoon Shaoxing wine or sub with Dry Sherry or omit
    • ¼ teaspoon white pepper or black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda do not skip!

    Stir fry Sauce:

    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 teaspoon ginger grated
    • 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce or vegetarian stir fry sauce
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or sub with potato starch
    • 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar or brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine or sub with Dry Sherry or omit
    • ½ cup chicken broth low sodium

    Instructions
     

    • Transfer sliced chicken into a large bowl. Add Marinade ingredients as listed above. Mix well and let this marinate for at least 20 minutes.
    • In a separate small bowl, combine Stir Fry Sauce ingredients as listed above.
    • In a large wok or large nonstick pan on medium high heat, add 2 teaspoon vegetable oil. Once oil is hot, fry chicken until cooked through with a golden brown sear on the edges, about 2-3 minutes. Do not overcook. Remove and set aside.
    • Reduce to medium heat, add 1 teaspoon vegetable oil. Fry zucchini and mushrooms for 1 minute. Then add ¼ cup water to help cook them until softened. Cook until water has completely evaporated.
    • Pour in stir fry sauce, and mix with vegetables. Allow this to simmer to thicken.
    • Once sauce is thickened, toss in cooked chicken. Enjoy!
    Enjoyed my recipe?Please leave a 5 star review (be kind)! Tag me on social media @christieathome as I'd love to see your creations!

    Suggested Equipment & Products

    • Non-stick wok
    • Measuring Set
    • Cutting Board
    • Santoku Knife
    • Mixing bowl
    • Steel Colander
    • Silicone Spatula 3-Piece Set
    Nutrition
    Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 1010mg | Potassium: 679mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 133IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Angie

      June 03, 2024 at 6:28 pm

      5 stars
      Suggestions on how to make ahead and freeze

      Reply
      • Christie Lai

        June 04, 2024 at 11:25 am

        Thanks for the positive review! That information will be updated in the blog post shortly. Stay tuned.

        Reply
    2. Tari

      April 13, 2024 at 8:15 pm

      5 stars
      My daughter just made this because we both love the Panda Express's but this is so good. We will be making this more often. Thank you for sharing!!

      Reply
      • Christie Lai

        April 15, 2024 at 7:32 pm

        Thank you so much for sharing this positive review with me! So glad you both enjoyed my recipe 🙂

        Reply
    3. TJ

      February 15, 2024 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      10/10!!!

      Reply
      • Christie Lai

        February 16, 2024 at 11:56 am

        So thrilled to read this! Thank you so much for making my recipe and for this positive review, TJ! Have a wonderful day!

        Reply
    4. Amy

      July 12, 2023 at 2:59 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious and satisfying family dinner! I have tried several of your recipes now and they are all scrumptious! My little boy is veggie so I usually do a portion with him subbing the meat for textured soy veg protein or quorn. Works well.

      Reply
      • christieathome

        July 17, 2023 at 3:28 pm

        Thanks so much for making my several of my recipes for your family! So glad you enjoyed it and happy my recipes work out for your son is who vegetarian 🙂

        Reply
    5. Dan

      May 02, 2023 at 7:04 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent. Pure Christie!

      Reply
      • christieathome

        May 02, 2023 at 7:06 pm

        Thank you so much for making my recipe, Dan! Happy you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    6. Barbi

      April 23, 2023 at 11:51 am

      5 stars
      I loved this recipe...delicious!!! It was very easy to follow.

      Thank you Christie x

      Reply
      • christieathome

        April 24, 2023 at 6:37 pm

        Thanks so much for making my recipe, Barbi! So happy you enjoyed it and that it was easy to follow!

        Reply

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    Christie

    Christie is an Recipe Blogger with an expertise on Asian recipes! She makes Asian cooking approachable with step-by-step pictures, ingredient & recipe tips and a helpful cooking video. Her quick and easy recipes have been featured on BuzzFeed Tasty, Food52, The Kitchn, The FeedFeed, Sur La Table, Yummly and more! With a following of over 1M+, her recipes are made repeatedly by her loyal readers.

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