The primary time I attempted Panda Categorical, I used to be a broke faculty pupil in search of a fast meal between courses. Whereas my associates 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 aggravating workweek. The closest location was over an hour away, and supply wasn’t an choice. Decided to fulfill my craving, I scoured my pantry and fridge, pulling out rooster 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 glad my craving and tasted higher than what I remembered from the restaurant. The most effective half? It price lower than half what I might have spent on takeout, and I might management precisely what went into it. Each time I’m tempted to order Chinese language meals, I remind myself how rapidly I can whip up this dish from components I often have readily available – saving each time and money within the course of.


This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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 show you how to lower your expenses and eat more healthy with out sacrificing taste. You may even prep it upfront, permitting you to have a do-it-yourself dinner in minutes!
Your loved ones will love the tender rooster, gentle mushrooms, and tender zucchini in a savory sauce. Don’t fear; you possibly can 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 recognize and love!
Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster components
For the sauce, you’ll want:
- Rooster broth – gives a taste base for the sauce.
- Soy sauce – provides the sauce an umami taste.
- Seasoned rice vinegar – lends a gentle 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 rooster, you’ll want:
- Mushrooms – bulk up the dish and add extra umami taste.
- Zucchini – gives colour and texture together with a gentle sweetness.
- Boneless, skinless rooster thighs – are the primary protein within the dish.
- Cornstarch provides the rooster a slight crust and helps it brown higher.
- Sesame oil -supplies a novel nutty, toasted aroma and uniquely “Asian” style.
Keep away from substituting rooster breasts. Rooster thighs keep tender and juicier on this Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster recipe.


Learn how 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 constantly 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 reduce the halves into 1/4-inch half-moons. Put it apart.
- Reduce the boneless rooster thighs into 3/4 to 1-inch chunks.
- Place the cornstarch in a big mixing bowl. Toss the cubed rooster within the cornstarch and shake off the surplus. Place the coated rooster 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 rooster to the skillet, however don’t overcrowd it. Prepare dinner in batches, if obligatory. Pan-fry the rooster till flippantly browned on all sides and cooked via. Drain the cooked rooster on paper towels.


- 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 flippantly coloured.
- Add the zucchini and stir. Prepare dinner till simply tender.
- Return the rooster 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.


What to serve with mushroom rooster
Spoon Mushroom Rooster Panda Categorical fashion over white or brown rice and add a couple of facet dishes for a correct Asian-inspired meal. Listed below are a couple of strategies:
Egg Drop Soup. Don’t worry this recipe. It is among 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 ideally suited to pair with any Asian-inspired rooster 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.
Blended Veggies. Positive, copycat Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster has some greens. Nonetheless, you possibly can by no means have too many, particularly when they’re as scrumptious as these Panda Categorical Blended Greens. The key to their superb taste is the savory sauce made with rooster inventory, garlic, ginger, with a contact of soy sauce and sesame oil.


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 couple of tablespoons of water on prime and stir effectively. Prepare dinner till the rooster is scorching, 5 to 10 minutes relying on how a lot meals you’re reheating. Stir sometimes to stop the meals from burning.


Extra copycat Panda Categorical rooster recipes:
Discover plenty of simple recipes for Chinese language meals and one of the best quick meals copycat recipes right here on CopyKat!
Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster Copycat Recipe
Make Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster at residence with this simple copycat recipe. Tender rooster, mushrooms, and zucchini in a savory sauce, prepared in underneath half-hour!
Print
Pin
Price
Add to Assortment
Servings: 6
Energy: 276kcal
Substances
Sauce
- 1 cup rooster broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon finely grated recent ginger
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Rooster
- 1 1/2 kilos boneless skinless rooster thighs reduce into 3/4- to 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup sesame oil divided use
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 1 medium zucchini sliced into half-moons
Directions
-
Whisk all of the sauce components collectively in a saucepan over medium warmth. Prepare dinner till the sauce thickens and begins to bubble. Take away from the warmth and put aside.
-
Place the cubed rooster thighs and cornstarch in a bowl and toss to coat.
-
Warmth 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a big skillet. Sear the rooster till brown on one facet. Flip and sear on the second facet till utterly cooked via. Take away the rooster from the skillet.
-
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sesame oil to the skillet. With out overcrowding the pan, stir-fry the mushrooms till they start to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the zucchini and stir-fry till simply tender, about 2 to three minutes. Return the rooster to the skillet and stir.
-
Take away the skillet from the warmth. Add the sauce and blend to mix. Serve over rice.
Notes
The zucchini cooks rapidly. Including it final within the stir-frying course of ensures it doesn’t get mushy.
Vitamin
Energy: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 25g | Fats: 14g | Saturated Fats: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 5g | Monounsaturated Fats: 5g | Trans Fats: 0.02g | Ldl cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 792mg | Potassium: 517mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 93IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg