Panda Express Mushroom Chicken Copycat: Easy & Delicious!
If you love Panda Express Mushroom Chicken, wait until you try this easy homemade version! Tender chicken is tossed with zucchini, mushrooms, and onions in a light and flavorful ginger-soy sauce. And my version is loaded with more chicken and veggies, making it hearty enough for a satisfying dinner.It comes together quickly, tastes every bit as delicious as takeout, and is perfect for those nights when you're craving Chinese food without leaving home.Each generous serving has 346 calories and 10 grams of fat. Easy, flavorful, and seriously yummy!
Why You’ll Love My Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (Copy-Cat)
My Panda Express Mushroom Chicken copycat is great for those who enjoy the flavors of Chinese cuisine but prefer a homemade option. This dish offers a satisfying combination of tender chicken, savory mushrooms, and a flavorful sauce. By preparing this dish at home, individuals have control over the ingredients and can adjust the recipe to suit their dietary preferences. The convenience and taste of this copycat recipe make it a popular choice for home cooks.Ingredients for Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (Copy-Cat)
This recipe aims to recreate the popular Panda Express Mushroom Chicken dish. Here's a breakdown of the ingredients:Main Ingredients:- 3 cups mushrooms: Provides a meaty texture and earthy flavor to the dish.
- 3 cups zucchini: Adds a healthy and refreshing element, plus a similar texture to the mushrooms.
- 2 cups onions: Offers sweetness and savory flavor.
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks: Provides the protein content.
- 1 large egg: Acts as a binder for the cornstarch or flour coating.
- ½ cup cornstarch or flour: Creates a light coating and helps the chicken brown
- 1 tablespoon canola oil: Used for cooking the chicken and vegetables.
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil: Adds a distinct nutty flavor.
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic: Provides a strong savory flavor.
- 1 tablespoon ginger, from a jar or fresh minced ginger: Offers a warm and spicy flavor profile.
- â…“ cup plus 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce: Provides saltiness and umami flavor.
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar: Adds a tangy balance to the sweetness of the dish.
- 1 tablespoon honey: Provides a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
How to Make Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (Copy-Cat)
Key steps:- Preparing the vegetables: The recipe begins by microwaving the mushrooms, zucchini, and onions to soften them.
- Preparing the chicken: The chicken pieces are coated in a mixture of egg and cornstarch before being cooked in a pan.
- Cooking the chicken and vegetables: The chicken is cooked in a pan, followed by the sautéed vegetables.
- Creating the sauce: The sauce ingredients are combined and heated in the same pan used for cooking the chicken and vegetables.
- Combining ingredients: The cooked chicken is returned to the pan with the sauce and mixed together.
- Serving: Serving over rice is optional. I do like brown rice.
- Mushrooms, zucchini, and onions: Provide the base for the dish, offering a variety of textures and flavors.
- Chicken: Serves as the main protein source.
- Egg and cornstarch: Create a crispy coating for the chicken.
- Garlic and ginger: Add depth of flavor to the dish.
- Soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey: Combine to form the sauce base.
Helpful Tips About this Recipe
Makes 4 servings. Each 1½ cups
Shopping Tips
You can buy all these ingredients at most supermarkets. I was able to buy all these ingredients at Trader Joe’s except the ginger, in a jar. Most supermarkets sell this in the produce section.
Serving Tips
This dish tastes great served with either of these cauliflower rice recipes.
WW SmartPoints 6-Green
Shopping Tips
You can buy all these ingredients at most supermarkets. I was able to buy all these ingredients at Trader Joe’s except the ginger, in a jar. Most supermarkets sell this in the produce section.
Serving Tips
This dish tastes great served with either of these cauliflower rice recipes.
Panda’s Fried Rice with Cauliflower Rice (Copy-Cat)
Fantastically Healthy, Cauliflower Rice (Paleo and Gluten-free)
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 5-BlueWW SmartPoints 6-Green
| SKINNY FACTS: for 1 serving 346 calories, 10g fat, 1g sat. fat, 122mg chol, 31g prot, 33g carbs, 4g fiber, 925mg sod, 11g sugar |
|
FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints 136 calories, 1g sat. fat, 0g protein, 4g sugar |
Panda Express Mushroom Chicken Copycat: Easy & Delicious!
Ingredients
- 3 cups mushrooms (8 ounces)
- 3 cups zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, then in ½ inch slices
- 2 cups onions, chopped
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ½ cup cornstarch or flour (for gluten-free use cornstarch)
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon ginger, from a jar or fresh minced ginger
- â…“ cup plus 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce (for gluten-free, use Tamari soy sauce)
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Add mushrooms, zucchini, and onions to a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in microwave for 4-5 minutes to soften. Set aside.
- Place the beaten egg in one shallow bowl and cornstarch in another bowl. Toss the chicken in beaten egg and then lightly coat each piece with cornstarch.
- Coat a large nonstick pan with cooking spray. Heat canola and sesame oil in pan. Add chicken and cook on medium-high until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from the pan and leave drippings in pan. Set chicken aside.
- To the same pan, add garlic and ginger and stir often for 30 seconds. Add the softened mushrooms/zucchini/onions and continue to cook for 4-5 minutes until zucchini is cooked through.
- In a small bowl mix together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey.  Add chicken back pan and stir to coat. Pour in soy sauce mixture and mix everything together. Continue to cook for a few minutes while stirring.
- Serve over cauliflower rice or brown rice, if desired. See serving tips below.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 346kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 31gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 925mgFiber: 4gSugar: 11gBlue Smart Points: 5Green Smart Points: 6
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
Amazingly similar to Panda’s dish!