Description
This Panda Express Mushroom Chicken Copycat recipe offers a delicious stir-fry featuring tender chicken breast, savory mushrooms, and zucchini, all coated in a flavorful sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish captures the essence of the popular restaurant favorite with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb chicken breast thinly sliced, about 1/4 inch thick
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon Shaoxing wine or cooking wine
- 2 teaspoon corn starch
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons chicken stock
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 teaspoon ginger grated
Vegetables and Garnish
- 2 cups mushrooms sliced
- 1 zucchini cut into half circles
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium-sized bowl, combine soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, corn starch, and brown sugar. Add the sliced chicken breast, mix well, and let marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best results.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together chicken stock, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until hot. Add vegetable oil, then lay the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer. Let them sear undisturbed for 30 seconds to 1 minute until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side. Remove cooked chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add sliced mushrooms and zucchini. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until tender.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over the mixture, stirring well. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens appropriately.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken slices are thin for quicker cooking and better searing.
- Marinating the chicken enhances flavor and tenderness.
- Adjust the sauce amount based on personal preference for sauciness.
- Use a hot pan to achieve a good sear and prevent sticking.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
