Copycat Panda Express Mushroom Chicken
This copycat Panda Express Mushroom Chicken is a quick and easy stir fry that's packed with tender chicken, hearty mushrooms, fresh zucchini, and a savory ginger-soy sauce. Ready in 30 minutes and made with simple ingredients, it's the perfect weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Servings: 4
Calories: 243kcal
Ingredients
For the Stir Fry
- 2 cups chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 1 zucchini cut into half moons
- 1 green pepper sliced
- ½ white onion chopped
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons Yondu Vegetable Umami
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- 3 tablespoons garlic minced
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Optional Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Add the cornstarch to a shallow dish or zip-top bag, then toss the chicken pieces until every piece is well coated.
- Heat the vegetable and sesame oil in a large wok or skillet (at least 12 inches) over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Add the onion and green pepper to the same pan and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften. Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the zucchini and mushrooms and cook for a few more minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Return the chicken to the pan and stir everything together for about a minute to warm through.
- In a small bowl, combine the Yondu, rice vinegar, and sugar. Pour the sauce over everything in the pan.
- Let everything cook together for another minute or so — the sauce will thicken as it heats through.
- Serve immediately over rice and top with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
- Use a wok or skillet that's at least 12 inches wide. Anything smaller and the ingredients will steam instead of sear.
- Make sure every piece of chicken is fully coated in cornstarch before it hits the pan.
- Have your sauce mixed and ready to go before you start cooking. Stir fry moves fast.
- Don't overcook the zucchini. You want it tender but still with a little bite.
- Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. We don't recommend freezing.
- Can't find Yondu? Substitute with soy sauce or a mix of soy sauce and a splash of fish sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 686mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 231IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg