Panda Express Mushroom Chicken Copycat

Panda Express Mushroom Chicken is one of the most flavor packed stir fries and one of their most popular menu items! A sweet and savory sauce coats chicken, mushrooms and zucchini for the ultimate dinner. Making this stir fry at home is even better than takeout.

Panda Express Mushroom Chicken Recipe

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We love recreating popular restaurant dishes. Panda Express is one of the most popular Asian takeout restaurants. Mushroom chicken is one of their most popular dishes and we know why... it's simply delicious! What's not to love about tender chicken stir fried with mushrooms and zucchini and a rich savory sauce?! Yum!

What is Panda Express Mushroom Chicken

This is a copycat recipe of mushroom chicken from the restaurant Panda Express. The stir fry is made with chicken, mushrooms, zucchini, and an irresistible sweet and savory sauce. The sauce is packed with flavor from soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar. Served over rice this is a quick and easy dinner you will be making on repeat!

What to Serve with

Ingredients

Chicken - Panda Express uses boneless skinless chicken breast for their famous dish. It's a great option as it keeps the dish healthier and leaner. You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
Mushrooms - this dish is made with white mushrooms. Baby bella, or brown mushrooms, can also be used but to keep the recipe authentic to Panda Express we use white mushrooms.
Zucchini - this versatile vegetable is perfect for stir fries. We love the pop of green color it adds and it is packed with nutrients so it's a great way to sneak in some extra veggies into your diet!
Soy Sauce - used to marinate the chicken and is part of the irresistible stir fry sauce!
Cornstarch - this is used in the marinade for the chicken. It helps tenderize the chicken and keep it moist while it cooks. Cornstarch is also part of the sauce which thickens the sauce.
Chicken Broth - part of the stir fry sauce. You can use store bought or homemade or even a bone broth for added nutrients and protein!
Brown Sugar - gives the sauce a rich sweetness.
Garlic and Ginger - two staples in Asian stir fries. They add an aromatic flavor to the sauce.
Sesame Oil - adds a rich sesame flavor to both the chicken marinade and the stir fry sauce.
Oyster Sauce - this is a secret weapon in the kitchen! Oyster sauce is a key ingredient in many fan favorite stir fries. It adds a rich umami flavor.
Cooking Oil

How to Make Panda Express Mushroom Chicken

Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of page

a three step photo showing marinating chicken, then pan frying it in a wok on a wood cutting board to make panda express mushroom chicken copycat

In a medium sized bowl or Ziploc bag add all of the chicken marinade ingredient stir until evenly combined.
Add in the thinly sliced1 lb chicken breast. Set the chicken aside to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.
Tip: place the chicken in the freezer for 15 minutes to harden slightly, this will make it easier to thinly slice.
In a small bowl or measuring cup add all the sauce ingredients. Whisk together or stir with a fork until evenly combined. Set aside.
Over medium-high heat, heat a wok or large frying pan. Add in the 1 tablespoon oil. Working in batches, add only enough chicken to lay flat in a single layer on the bottom of the pan. Use the spatula to press the chicken down to ensure contact with the pan. Do not touch the chicken, allow it to sear for 30 seconds to 1 minutes, or until the edges start to look cooked then flip the chicken and repeat. Once both sides are seared, stir fry the chicken for about 2-3 minutes or until cooked through (internal temperature 165℉). Remove the chicken from the pan and place on a plate. Add additional oil between batches as needed. Repeat with remaining chicken.

a three step photo showing making the sauce and then stir frying it with vegetables in a wok to make panda express mushroom chicken copycat

Once all the chicken is cooked and set aside, add in the white mushrooms, zucchini, garlic, and ginger. Sauté for 4-5 minutes or until the veggies are tender and browned. Add the chicken back to the pan.
Stir the sauce as the cornstarch will settle to the bottom of the bowl. Pour the sauce into the pan and stir everything together for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
Once the sauce has thickened you can serve the stir fry over a bowl of rice and garnish with Sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Mushroom Chicken

Variations - this is a copycat recipe of the famous mushroom chicken stir fry from Panda Express. However, you can customize the vegetables to your liking. A variety of vegetables that work great for this stir fry include bell peppers, asparagus, snow peas, snap peas, broccoli, carrots, and more. The possibilities are endless!
Chicken - to get a good sear on the chicken to lock in the moisture and flavor it's important to preheat your frying pan and add the chicken in batches. Add only enough chicken at a time to create a flat single layer on the bottom of the pan. Do not touch the chicken for at least 30 seconds to 1 minutes before flipping them. This will ensure a good sear on each side!
Stir Fry - when making a stir fry things move quick! To make sure nothing gets over cooked, be sure to prep all the ingredients before you start cooking. Make sure all your veggies are washed and chopped, chicken is cut, and the sauce has been stirred together in a bowl.

FAQ

How to reheat?

Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. Just add a little bit of water or chicken stock to keep it from drying out.

How to store?

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days in an airtight container.

Can I freeze this recipe?

You can freeze for up to 3 months. Be sure to let it cool completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container or bag.

Can I make this ahead?

You can prep the chicken in advance as well as prepare all the vegetables and marinate so that it is all ready to cook when you’re ready.

Can I make this vegetarian?

To make this dish vegetarian, you can substitute the chicken with tofu or your favorite meatless protein alternative.

Is this recipe gluten free?

For a gluten free recipe be sure to use a certified gluten free soy sauce as some may contain gluten.

How to make this dairy free?

This recipe is dairy free.

More Easy Stir Fry Recipes

Enjoy!

- Sab