Whip Up Panda Express Mushroom Chicken in Just 5 Easy Steps!

Panda Express Mushroom Chicken is a beloved dish from the popular Asian-American fast-casual restaurant chain. With its tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and savory sauce, it’s no wonder this stir-fry has become a fan favorite. If you’re craving the flavors of Panda Express but want to make it at home, you’re in luck. This comprehensive guide will walk you through recreating the iconic Panda Express Mushroom Chicken right in your own kitchen.

Table of Contents

Uncovering the Key Ingredients for Panda Express Mushroom Chicken

At the heart of this dish are a few essential ingredients that work together to create the signature Panda Express taste. Let’s take a closer look at what goes into making Panda Express Mushroom Chicken so delicious.

The Chicken

Panda Express uses boneless, skinless chicken breast in their Mushroom Chicken, which provides a lean, tender protein that absorbs the flavors of the marinade and sauce beautifully. When replicating this dish at home, be sure to slice the chicken into thin, bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking.

The Marinade

The chicken is first marinated in a blend of light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. The soy sauce adds depth of flavor and saltiness, the rice vinegar provides a subtle brightness, the sesame oil lends its nutty aroma, and the cornstarch helps tenderize the chicken while creating a light coating.

The Savory Sauce

The savory sauce that coats the chicken and vegetables is a combination of water, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch. The oyster sauce contributes a rich, umami flavor, the brown sugar balances the saltiness, and the cornstarch thickens the sauce to the perfect consistency.

The Vegetables

Panda Express Mushroom Chicken features two main vegetables: mushrooms and zucchini. The earthy mushrooms provide texture and flavor, while the zucchini adds a refreshing crunch. Garlic and ginger are also included to enhance the aromatic profile of the dish.

Preparing the Chicken Marinade

To begin, place the sliced chicken in a mixing bowl and add the light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Gently toss the chicken until it’s evenly coated in the marinade. Let the chicken sit for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse and the cornstarch to work its magic.

Creating the Savory Sauce

In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. This will be the sauce that brings everything together at the end of the cooking process.

Cooking the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken is lightly browned and cooked through. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the skillet and set it aside.

Stir-Frying the Vegetables

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Toss in the mushrooms, zucchini, garlic, and ginger, and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.

Combining the Ingredients and Serving

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour in the savory sauce and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and coats the chicken and vegetables evenly.

Serve the Panda Express Mushroom Chicken hot, over a bed of steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy this flavorful and satisfying homemade version of a Panda Express classic!

FAQs about Panda Express Mushroom Chicken

What ingredients are in Panda Express Mushroom Chicken?

Panda Express Mushroom Chicken contains the following ingredients: boneless, skinless chicken breast, light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, water, oyster sauce, brown sugar, mushrooms, zucchini, garlic, and ginger.

Can I make Panda Express Mushroom Chicken at home?

Yes, you can absolutely recreate the Panda Express Mushroom Chicken at home with a few simple ingredients and steps. This recipe provides a detailed guide to making the dish just like the restaurant version.

What type of mushrooms work best for this dish?

For the best results, use a combination of mushroom varieties, such as button, cremini, and shiitake. The earthy flavors and varied textures of these mushrooms will closely mimic the Panda Express Mushroom Chicken.

How can I make the sauce taste like the restaurant version?

The key to replicating the signature Panda Express sauce is to balance the flavors of soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar. Adjust the amounts of these ingredients to your taste until you achieve the perfect savory-sweet balance.

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Looking for more tasty ideas? Visit Elena’s Fast & Flavorful Recipes on Pinterest for a treasure trove of easy meals, comforting bakes, and fun kitchen inspiration!

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