Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (Copy-Cat)

This is such a yummy dish at Panda Express. Itโ€™s lightly sautรฉed zucchini, mushrooms, and chicken in a light ginger soy sauce. My version has much more chicken, and veggies including onions, which makes it even more flavorful. My remake is extremely delicious. Itโ€™s just as good as Pandaโ€™s, maybe even better!ย Each serving has 346 calories and 10 grams of fat.
Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (Copy-Cat)

Why Youโ€™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, healthier 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.
Breading and Coating:
  • 1 large egg: Acts as a binder for the cornstarch or flour coating.
  • ยฝ cup cornstarch or flour: Creates a crispy coating for the chicken.
Flavorings:
  • 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.
  • โ…“ 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.
These ingredients work together to create a dish that closely resembles the popular Panda Express Mushroom Chicken.

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 sautรฉed 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: The finished dish is served over rice.
Ingredient roles:
  • 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.
Overall, the instructions offer a clear method for creating a homemade version of the popular Panda Express dish.
Potential improvements:
  • Adding a small amount of water or broth to the sauce while simmering can help create a smoother consistency.
  • Experimenting with different types of mushrooms or vegetables can create variations of the dish.
  • Adjusting the cooking times based on personal preference can alter the texture of the ingredients.
By following these steps, you can create a delicious and satisfying copycat version of Panda Express Mushroom Chicken at home.

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 4 servings. Each 1ยฝ cups

Shopping Tips

You can buy all these ingredients at most supermarkets. I was able to buy all these ingredients at Trader Joeโ€™s except the ginger, in a jar. Most supermarkets sell this is the produce section.

Serving Tips
This dish tastes great served with either of these cauliflower rice recipes.

Pandaโ€™s Fried Rice with Cauliflower Rice (Copy-Cat)

Fantastically Healthy, Cauliflower Rice (Paleo and Gluten-free)

ย 
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 5-Blue
WW SmartPoints 6-Green
WW Points Plus
ย 
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 (Copy-Cat)

Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (Copy-Cat)

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Asian, Chinese
Servings 4
Calories 346 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups mushrooms (8 ounces)
  • 3 cups zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, then inย ยฝย inch slices
  • 2 cups onions, chopped
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • ยฝ 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
  • โ…“ 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 wine vinegar, and honey.ย ย 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!

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