• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Savory With Soul
  • Fall Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Fall Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Fall Recipes
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Copycat Recipes

    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (Copycat Recipe)

    Published: Feb 27, 2020 · Modified: Sep 8, 2020 by Sally · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

    8223 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    If you like Panda Express Mushroom Chicken, I believe you'll find that this copycat recipe is close to the original but is actually better ... in my humble opinion.

    Tender chicken, mushrooms, and zucchini in a thick, rich soy ginger sauce ... such depths of flavor!

    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken copycat recipe over rice

    Pairs perfectly with your favorite rice. Or you can make up a batch of my Panda Express fried rice with scrambled eggs and mixed vegetables.

    Sometimes I will serve simply with short-grain brown rice. Sometimes I go all out with fried rice. Either way, it turns out perfectly delicious!

    What You'll Need

    2 tablespoon olive oil (or other oil)

    1 tablespoon sesame oil

    1 pound chicken breast , cut into ½- to 1-inch pieces

    6 medium mushrooms , 2-3 cups, thick sliced (I used cremini)

    1 medium zucchini , 1-½ to 2 cups, thick sliced

    For the Marinade

    ¼ cup soy sauce

    2 tablespoon fresh ginger , peeled and minced

    1 tablespoon garlic , minced

    2 tablespoon rice vinegar (plain without seasonings)

    2 tablespoon white wine (dry or not so dry will do - I used Pinot Grigio)

    2 tablespoon corn starch

    1 tablespoon honey

    1 teaspoon sesame seeds

    So how is this "copycat" recipe deemed better, you may ask?

    I believe it's better due to the ooey-gooey, thick sauce versus brothy and runny that I've experienced at the restaurant.

    Also, much more flavor. Think more soy, more ginger, more "I can't tell what it is" flavor ... it's just that good!

    Also, I used chicken breast instead of thigh meat. Thigh meat can be very flavorful in itself. However, if you don't trim the fat, even though fat adds flavor, it messes with the whole experience (in my opinion).

    Plus, when you use chicken breast meat, you can make it just as tender if you marinate and cook it right (as I'll show you in a minute).

    How to Make Mushroom Chicken

    The first key to making a delicious Panda Express chicken mushroom dish is to marinate the chicken while heating up the pan.

    This only takes about 10 minutes, so you're not waiting around and you don't have to prep early in order to develop the flavors.

    I take the fresh chopped ginger and garlic and add to a medium-sized bowl along with the soy sauce, rice vinegar, white wine, and corn starch. With a whisk, I blend it all together until corn starch is smooth.

    To the marinade, I add the cut-up chicken pieces and stir together to coat all the pieces. I let this mixture sit while I heat up a heavy skillet to medium heat for about 10 minutes.

    When the pan has heated for about 10 minutes, I will add the olive oil (or other oil) along with the sesame oil to the skillet. I then move the skillet around to coat the entire bottom of the pan.

    Then I drain most of the liquid from the marinade into another bowl. I do this with my hand to ensure that the chicken doesn't escape.

    Then I will drop the chicken by handfuls into the hot skillet, leaving most of the liquid behind in the bowl.

    Naturally, some of the marinade liquid will end up in the skillet, which is fine, but you don't want a lot. You want only what naturally goes there when transferring with your hands.

    Note that you will use the rest of the marinade near the end of the cook time, so don't discard it.

    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken copycat recipe with rice on plate

    You will cook the chicken for about 10 minutes, turning halfway through the cook time. This should cook the chicken at least most of the way.

    Next, you will turn down the heat a bit and add the mushrooms. Then you will stir, cover the pan, and cook for about 5 minutes.

    While the mushrooms are cooking, you will add the honey and sesame seeds to the residual marinade. Then you will blend with a whisk until incorporated.

    After cooking the mushrooms for five minutes, you will then add the zucchini and rest of the marinade to the skillet and stir.

    Cover and cook only slightly (no more than 2 minutes) in order to lightly cook zucchini but keep it from going to mush.

    Enjoy this delicious Panda Express mushroom chicken over your favorite rice or all by itself! Let me know what you think about it in the comments below!

    Pairs fantastically with my Panda Express Fried Rice! You may also love my Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken (especially if you like spicy).

    Tips & FAQs

    This mushroom chicken Panda Express recipe is quite simple, but you may have some questions.

    Here are some tips to help you achieve the most flavorful recipe possible.

    How do I best replicate the chicken mushroom recipe from Panda Express?

    You want a tender, flavorful chicken with mushrooms and zucchini in a delicious soy ginger sauce.

    Ideally, the sauce will be thick and rich instead of thin and brothy. This is achieved with corn starch, which is added to the marinade.

    If you want to use chicken thighs like Panda Express does, by all means do so. You will have a fattier meat that has a good amount of flavor.

    You can also have the same flavor with chicken breast meat but without the extra fat. I'm not opposed to fat, but, personally, I don't like the "mouth feel" of the soft, fatty meat in the end product.

    I like tender meat, though, so the key to tender meat is to cook it fast on a high heat so it browns and seals in the juices.

    Marinating your chicken in the marinade while preheating the pan is also a crucial part of making this recipe a success.

    Then, as already mentioned, you will cook the chicken quickly, sealing in the juices, which equates to more tender, flavorful chicken pieces.

    Please let me know how your Chicken Mushroom turns out in the comments below!

    Recipe

    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken copycat recipe over rice

    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken (copycat recipe)

    If you like Panda Express Mushroom Chicken, I believe you'll find that this copycat recipe is close to the original but is actually better ... in my humble opinion. Tender chicken, mushrooms, and zucchini in a thick, rich soy ginger sauce ... such depths of flavor!
    4.93 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Meat
    Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 17 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 32 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 277kcal
    Author: Sally

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon olive oil (or other oil)
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1 pound chicken breast , cut into ½- to 1-inch pieces
    • 6 medium mushrooms , 2-3 cups, thick sliced (I used cremini)
    • 1 medium zucchini , 1-½ to 2 cups, thick sliced

    Marinade

    • ¼ cup soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoon fresh ginger , peeled and minced
    • 1 tablespoon garlic , minced
    • 2 tablespoon rice vinegar (plain without seasonings)
    • 2 tablespoon white wine (dry or not so dry will do - I used Pinot Grigio)
    • 2 tablespoon corn starch
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Heat a heavy skillet to medium heat (5-6) on the stove top.
    • For the marinade, take the fresh chopped ginger and garlic and add to a medium-sized bowl along with the soy sauce, rice vinegar, white wine, and corn starch. With a whisk I blend it all together until corn starch is smooth.
    • To the marinade, I add the cut-up chicken pieces and stir together to coat all the pieces. Let this mixture sit while heating up the skillet for about 10 minutes.
    • When the pan has heated for about 10 minutes, add the olive oil (or other oil) along with the sesame oil to the skillet and move the skillet around to coat the entire bottom of the pan.
    • Drain most of the liquid from the marinade into another bowl. I do this with my hand to ensure that the chicken doesn't escape. Then I drop the chicken by handfuls into the hot skillet, leaving most of the liquid behind in the bowl. (Don't discard the extra marinade liquid.)
    • Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes, turning halfway through the cook time. This should cook the chicken at least most of the way.
    • Turn down the heat a bit (about 3) and add the mushrooms, stir, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes.
    • While the mushrooms are cooking, add the honey and sesame seeds to the residual marinade and blend with a whisk until incorporated.
    • After cooking the mushrooms for five minutes, add the zucchini and rest of the marinade to the skillet and stir. Cover and cook only slightly (no more than 2 minutes) in order to lightly cook zucchini but keep it from going to mush. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 949mg | Potassium: 679mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 132IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Share it Today!Mention @SavoryWithSoul or tag #savorywithsoul!

    Don't Forget to Pin For Later!

    Panda Express Mushroom Chicken Pin

    More Copycat Recipes

    • Panera Broccoli Mac and Cheese (copycat)
    • Panera Turkey Chili Recipe (copycat)
    • Bojangles Dirty Rice Recipe (easy copycat)
    • Panera Thai Chicken Salad (copycat)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karli

      May 16, 2022 at 1:37 am

      Delish! I used chicken broth instead of wine and it was great

      Reply
      • Sally

        May 16, 2022 at 5:32 am

        Awesome!

        Reply
    2. Sandra

      October 22, 2021 at 1:42 am

      4 stars
      I thought the chicken was amazing, tender and flavorful.The mushrooms should have gone in with the zucchini, they were overcooked, maybe they just needed to be cut thinker! The zucchini had to cook far longer than given, but it turned out perfectly. All minor adjustments. The big adjustment was the sauce. make at least 4 times what the recipe calls for if you want any for your rice. Overall, it was easy to make, and had an amazing flavor. I will tweek it a little, and definitely make again. Very delicious!!

      Reply
      • Sally

        October 22, 2021 at 6:54 pm

        Sandra - Thank you for your thoughtful and thorough review! I will make a note of your suggestions. The cook times are definitely based on the thickness of the veggies as well as personal preference.

        Reply
    3. Belinda

      August 13, 2021 at 12:26 am

      5 stars
      This recipe was sooo good. I fallowed it step by step. Turned out terrific. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Sally

        August 13, 2021 at 3:07 am

        Excellent! Thanks for letting me know, Belinda!

        Reply
    4. Brenda Rowton

      October 21, 2020 at 3:34 am

      i dont use any alcohol in my cooken. Can you give me a subsition

      Reply
      • Sally

        October 21, 2020 at 4:56 am

        Brenda - You could use chicken stock in place of the wine. Thanks for your question - let me know how yours turns out!

        Reply
    5. Tammy

      April 04, 2020 at 9:23 pm

      What can you substitute for the wine? Sounds delicious! 🙂

      Reply
      • Sally

        April 04, 2020 at 11:39 pm

        Thanks for stopping by, Tammy! You could leave it out, or possibly add lemon juice in place of the wine. I haven't tried any variations, so I really don't know. Probably safest to just leave it out if you don't have it. Let me know what you do and how it turns out!

        Reply
    6. Danielle

      March 05, 2020 at 11:29 am

      5 stars
      The first closeup of this chicken is so delicious. I should definitely make this recipe over the weekend - I just can't miss it!

      Reply
      • Sally

        March 05, 2020 at 7:24 pm

        Thanks Danielle ... the flavors are out of this world!

        Reply
    7. Dannii

      March 05, 2020 at 9:19 am

      5 stars
      The marinade for this sounds delicious. Such a great easy chicken dish.

      Reply
      • Sally

        March 05, 2020 at 7:24 pm

        It is, Dannii! You will love it!

        Reply
    8. Anita

      March 05, 2020 at 7:32 am

      5 stars
      Such an easy and simple dish, perfect for busy midweek days. And this is as good if not better than the original. 🙂

      Reply
      • Sally

        March 05, 2020 at 7:25 pm

        Thanks Anita! We agree!

        Reply
    9. Farah Abumaizar

      March 05, 2020 at 7:16 am

      5 stars
      The chicken is absolutely coated with sauce. Looks so good! I love a good copycat dish. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Sally

        March 05, 2020 at 7:25 pm

        Thanks Farah! It's a great recipe (if I do say so myself 😉 )

        Reply
    10. Sadia Malik

      March 05, 2020 at 4:09 am

      5 stars
      Love chicken and mushroom combination. I also like chicken breast rather than the thigh.

      Reply
      • Sally

        March 05, 2020 at 4:46 am

        Me too, Sadia! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I'm Sally, and I love great food! Whole foods, specifically, and savory, yummy eats! I love using spices and trying new combinations - in fact, I consider it an art form, as I smell and taste my way through each dish.

    More about me →

    Fall Recipes

    • Cast Iron Skillet Potatoes with bacon
    • Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
      Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
    • Slow Cooked Chicken and Corn Soup
    • Chicken Spaghetti Crock Pot Recipe with Cream Cheese
    • Cooked beef roast on platter with fork.
      London Broil Crock Pot Recipe
    • Pumpkin and Mushroom Risotto with Sage

    Trending Recipes

    • Butter biscuits with extra butter - Southern style
      Easy Homemade Biscuits Recipe (Southern Style)
    • Crock Pot Great Northern Beans - Southern Style
    • Green beans and potatoes with ham chunks on plate
      Crockpot Ham Green Beans and Potatoes
    • Creamy linguini with chicken and bacon served on plate with salad
      Creamy Chicken Bacon Pasta (quick & easy)
    • Creamy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
      Creamy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
    • Bojangles Dirty Rice Recipe (easy copycat)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility

    SIGN UP for emails and updates

    Recipe Index

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Savory With Soul, All Rights Reserved

    8223 shares