Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster Copycat Recipe

May 12, 2025

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The primary time I attempted Panda Categorical, I used to be a broke school scholar searching for a fast meal between courses. Whereas my mates gravitated towards the Orange Rooster, I used to be instantly drawn to the Mushroom Rooster. One thing in regards to the savory sauce and tender bites felt each indulgent and considerably more healthy than the fried choices.

Years later, after I moved to a small city with out a Panda Categorical, I craved that acquainted dish after a very nerve-racking workweek. The closest location was over an hour away, and supply wasn’t an possibility. Decided to fulfill my craving, I scoured my pantry and fridge, pulling out hen thighs, mushrooms, and zucchini on its final legs.

After a number of makes an attempt and tweaks to the sauce, I lastly created a model that happy my craving and tasted higher than what I remembered from the restaurant. The very best half? It value lower than half what I might have spent on takeout, and I may management precisely what went into it. At any time when I’m tempted to order Chinese language meals, I remind myself how rapidly I can whip up this dish from components I normally have readily available – saving each time and money within the course of.

Copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken over rice in a bowl.

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What makes Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster so good?

Overlook costly takeouts and make the Mushroom Rooster Panda Categorical served at their eating places in your kitchen. This copycat recipe will make it easier to get monetary savings and eat more healthy with out sacrificing taste. You may even prep it prematurely, permitting you to have a do-it-yourself dinner in minutes!

Your loved ones will love the tender hen, comfortable mushrooms, and tender zucchini in a savory sauce. Don’t fear; you’ll be able to supply all of the components for this Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster recipe out of your native grocery store, however you’ll nonetheless get that genuine style you understand and love!

Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster components

For the sauce, you’ll want:

Rooster broth – gives a taste base for the sauce.
Soy sauce – offers the sauce an umami taste.
Seasoned rice vinegar – lends a light acidity and a contact of sweetness.
Garlic, minced – provides a pungent fragrant style.
Recent ginger, finely grated – contributes some heat and freshness to the sauce.
Cornstarch – thickens the sauce.
Water – used to dissolve the cornstarch

For the hen, you’ll want:

Mushrooms – bulk up the dish and add extra umami taste.
Zucchini – gives colour and texture together with a light sweetness.
Boneless, skinless hen thighs – are the primary protein within the dish.
Cornstarch offers the hen a slight crust and helps it brown higher.
Sesame oil -supplies a novel nutty, toasted aroma and uniquely “Asian” style.

Keep away from substituting hen breasts. Rooster thighs keep tender and juicier on this Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster recipe.

Copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken ingredients on a tray.

Easy methods to make Mushroom Rooster like Panda Categorical

To make the sauce.

Mix all of the sauce components in a medium saucepan.
Place the saucepan over medium warmth.
Whisk repeatedly till the sauce thickens and involves a boil.
Take away the saucepan from the warmth and canopy to maintain heat.

To complete the Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster copycat recipe:

Brush off the mushrooms with a moist kitchen towel and slice them into 1/4-inch slices. Reserve for later.
Wash and dry the zucchini. Slice it in half lengthwise, then lower the halves into 1/4-inch half-moons. Put it apart.
Reduce the boneless hen thighs into 3/4 to 1-inch chunks.
Place the cornstarch in a big mixing bowl. Toss the cubed hen within the cornstarch and shake off the surplus. Place the coated hen on a wire rack to arrange for no less than 5 minutes.
Warmth two tablespoons of sesame oil in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the hen to the skillet, however don’t overcrowd it. Prepare dinner in batches, if obligatory. Pan-fry the hen till evenly browned on all sides and cooked by way of. Drain the cooked hen on paper towels.

Making Panda Express mushroom chicken sauce and cooking the chicken.

Wipe out the skillet and warmth two extra tablespoons of sesame oil over medium warmth. Add the mushrooms, once more, don’t overcrowd the pan. Prepare dinner the mushrooms for about two minutes, or till they’re evenly coloured.
Add the zucchini and stir. Prepare dinner till simply tender.
Return the hen to the skillet and toss to heat.
Take away the skillet from the warmth and add the nice and cozy sauce. Stir effectively.
Serve instantly.

Cooking copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken and zucchini.

What to serve with mushroom hen

Spoon Mushroom Rooster Panda Categorical fashion over white or brown rice and add a number of aspect dishes for a correct Asian-inspired meal. Listed below are a number of solutions:

Egg Drop Soup. Don’t worry this recipe. It is likely one of the best soups to prepare dinner, and it tastes even higher than the stuff you get at your native Chinese language restaurant. Home made Egg Drop Soup is mild and flavorful, making it best to pair with any Asian-inspired hen dish. You may even make it a meal by including some cooked veggies and rice or noodles.

Egg Foo Younger. Egg Foo Younger is a lot greater than only a Chinese language omelet. You may simply customise the eggs together with your alternative of protein and veggies, however it’s the addictively scrumptious gravy that makes this a easy must-try dish.

Combined Veggies. Certain, copycat Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster has some greens. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to by no means have too many, particularly when they’re as scrumptious as these Panda Categorical Combined Greens. The key to their wonderful taste is the savory sauce made with hen inventory, garlic, ginger, with a contact of soy sauce and sesame oil.

Copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken over rice and wood serving utensils.

Leftover storage and reheating directions

Let the leftovers cool and retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as three days. If you wish to freeze it, unfold it on a rimmed baking sheet and freeze earlier than transferring to a freezer-safe container. Mushroom Rooster will last as long as a month within the freezer.

Place the thawed meals in a pan and place it over medium warmth. Sprinkle a number of tablespoons of water on high and stir effectively. Prepare dinner till the hen is sizzling, 5 to 10 minutes relying on how a lot meals you might be reheating. Stir often to stop the meals from burning.

Copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken over rice in bowl.

Extra copycat Panda Categorical hen recipes:

Discover a lot of simple recipes for Chinese language meals and one of the best quick meals copycat recipes right here on CopyKat!