Panda Express Mushroom Chicken

Panda Express Mushroom Chicken is a popular copycat recipe with tender chicken, veggies, and a thick, flavorful ginger garlic sauce. The homemade version is as good as the original and will soon become a family favorite!

This copycat recipe combines fresh vegetables like chopped zucchini and hearty mushrooms with juicy chicken. Then, it smothers it in a signature sauce. Even though it looks impressive, this Panda Express mushroom chicken copycat is one of the easiest recipes you’ll make! The only thing you have to do is chop up the ingredients and cook them in the sauce. In no time, you’ll have the incredible flavors of Panda Express in your kitchen. 

So, when you’re in the mood for takeout, make this copycat Panda Express recipe instead. It’s the easiest and tastiest way to satisfy your craving for Asian food without calling Door Dash or going out to eat. 

Why You’ll Love Panda Express Mushroom Chicken

• A delicious way to reuse cooked chicken. 
• Easy to customize to the entire family loves it.
• Simple way to make Chinese takeout at home. 
• A healthy dinner full of lean protein and vegetables. 

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

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There are three parts to this simple copycat version of mushroom chicken. Here is what you’ll need for each part. 

For The Chicken: 

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Slice or chop them into small pieces. 
• Soy Sauce: This adds umami flavors to the dish. 
• Garlic Powder: This is a classic spice for any Asian-inspired recipe. 
• Onion Powder: This pairs perfectly with garlic powder. 
• Cornstarch: Use this as a thickening agent. 

For the Sauce:

• Chicken Stock: To control the saltiness, use unsalted stock. 
• Light Brown Sugar: This adds a touch of sweetness without making it too sweet or rich. 
• Soy Sauce: The soy sauce gives the sauce salty and umami flavors. 
• Oyster Sauce: This secret ingredient makes it taste just like Panda Express. 
• Rice Wine Vinegar: Rice vinegar has a light flavor that won’t overpower the sauce. 
• Cornstarch: The cornstarch thickens the sauce. 

For Assembly: 

• Vegetable Oil: Saute the veggies in either vegetable or olive oil.  
• White Mushrooms: Any type of mushrooms will work, so try it with shitake mushrooms.  
• Sliced Zucchini: The zucchini adds color, texture, and nutrition to the dish. 
• Fresh Ginger: Use more or less ginger to make it spicier or less robust. 
• Garlic: For the best flavor, chop up fresh garlic cloves.  
• Sesame Seeds: Use them as a fun garnish. 
• Scallions: Also called green onions, they are the perfect garnish at the end.       

How to Make Panda Express Mushroom Chicken

• Step One: Place the sliced chicken in a medium-sized bowl. Add the soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder, and toss to combine. Add the cornstarch and stir to combine so the chicken is coated and set aside.

• Step Two: In a small bowl, stir together the chicken stock, brown sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar, and cornstarch, and set aside.  

• Step Three: Add one tablespoon of the oil to a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken to the pan and flatten it into a single layer. Let it sit for 30 seconds to a minute to get a sear on the bottom. Start tossing the chicken around and letting it sear until it is cooked for 5-6 minutes. Set it on a plate.

• Step Four: Add another tablespoon of oil and sear the mushrooms, constantly stirring, until they soften for about 2 minutes. Place them on the plate with the chicken.
• Step Five: Add the remaining oil and sear/cook the zucchini, constantly stirring, until tender-crisp, 2-3 minutes. Place the zucchini on the plate with the chicken and mushrooms.

• Step Six: Add the ginger and garlic to the skillet, and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add the sauce, stir it around, and as soon as it bubbles, add all the ingredients back to the pan and coat in the sauce.
• Step Seven: Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until warmed through and the sauce is thickened. Serve immediately with sesame seeds and scallion garnish if using.

Equipment Needed

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• Sharp Knife – You’ll chop the chicken and vegetables with a knife. 
• Small Bowl – Use the small bowl for the sauce ingredients. 
• Wok or Large Skillet – It must be big enough to saute all ingredients together. 
• Medium Mixing Bowl – This must be big enough for the chopped chicken.  

What to Serve with Panda Express Mushroom Chicken

This mushroom chicken recipe is a complete meal in one dish. Here are some of my favorite sides to serve with copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken.    

• Rice: Serve it on top of brown rice, white rice, or even cauliflower rice. Or make some fried rice. 
• Chow mein Skillet
• Ramen Noodle and Cabbage Salad 
• Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
• Slow Cooker Chicken Lo Mein

Variations and Substitutions

• Fry the chicken in sesame oil. 
• Make this with boneless chicken thighs.     
• Use hoisin sauce instead of oyster sauce. 

Storage Instructions 

Keep any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months,

Panda Express Mushroom Chicken Tips and Tricks

• Keep the ratio of the meats/veg/sauce the same so you have the right amount of sauce to coat all of the ingredients.  
• To add a little heat, I suggest slicing up a jalapeno, Thai Chile, or serrano pepper and adding it to the step where you add the ginger and garlic.  
• Make sure the chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature should be 165F. 

What Is Panda Express Mushroom Chicken?

This chicken mushroom recipe is a popular one at Panda Express. First, the chicken is seasoned and coated in a savory sauce. Then, the veggies are added to the wok or skillet. Everything cooks together, with the sticky-sweet and bold umami flavors combining perfectly. 

FAQ

Asian Inspired Recipes    

Want more easy Asian-inspired recipes that you can make at home? Here are some of my favorites:

• Orange Chicken
• Asian Pork Tenderloin 
• Asian Chicken Noodle Soup
• Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

For more copycat recipes, try Big Mac Sauce, Copycat Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich, Copycat McDonald’s Sausage Egg McMuffins, Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls and Copycat Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich.

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