Name: Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (Copy-Cat)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
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); ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce ((for gluten-free, use Tamari soy sauce)); 3 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon honey

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This is such a yummy dish at Panda Express. It’s lightly sautéed 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. It’s just as good as Panda’s, maybe even better! Each serving has 346 calories and 10 grams of fat.

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, 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.
½ 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.
⅓ 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 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: 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 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 is 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-Blue
WW SmartPoints 6-Green
WW Points Plus

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