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Moo Goo Gai Pan made with snow peas, water chestnuts, carrots, chicken, mushrooms, in a light sauce in a white shallow bowl.
4.83 from 238 votes

Moo Goo Gai Pan Recipe

This better-than-takeout Moo Goo Gai Pan is made with tender slices of chicken, white button mushrooms, and other classic stir-fry vegetables all bathed in a delicious and simple savory stir fry sauce. 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 279kcal

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 2 teaspoon oil
  • 2 teaspoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the Sauce

For the Stir-Fry

  • 2 tablespoon oil - divided
  • 4 cloves garlic - minced
  • 5 stalks green onions - chopped and divided
  • 10 ounces white button mushrooms - sliced
  • 2 carrots - sliced
  • 1 cup snow peas
  • 1 (5 ounce) can bamboo shoots - drained
  • 2 (5 ounce) cans water chestnuts - drained
  • sesame seeds - to garnish

Instructions

  • Prepare the chicken- Slice the chicken against the grain into pieces approximately 1/4-inch thick. Transfer to a medium-sized mixing bowl and combine with the oil, cornstarch, and salt. Use your hands to coat the entire surface of the chicken with a thin layer of cornstarch.
  • Mix the sauce- Add all ingredients for the sauce (sesame oil, low-sodium chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch) to a small mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine. Set aside.
  • Cook the chicken- heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for approximately 30 seconds, or until the bottom is golden. Carefully flip each piece of chicken over and cook the other side for an additional 20-30 seconds. Immediately remove to a clean plate (the chicken will still be raw in the middle- that’s ok).
  • Sauté the aromatics- return the skillet to medium heat. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and half of the green onions to the pan. Mix to combine and sauté for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
  • Cook the remaining vegetables- Add the carrots and mushrooms to the skillet, mixing well to combine. Cook, stirring often until the vegetables start to turn soft, approximately 3 minutes. Add the snow peas, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts, mixing well to combine. Continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes or so.
  • Add the sauce and return the chicken. Give the sauce a final stir to dissolve the cornstarch and pour directly into the skillet with the vegetables. Add back the chicken and the remaining half of the green onions. Mix well to combine and continue to cook until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through.
  • Serve immediately with a side of rice and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, if desired.

Notes

  • White button mushrooms are the classic, traditional mushroom used in moo goo gai pan recipes. If you can’t find this particular mushroom variety, that’s ok. Feel free to substitute with whatever you can get your hands on (cremini mushrooms are a popular, easy-to-find, variety).
  • Bamboo shoots + Water chestnuts – These fun stir fry additions are actually found in the canned food section of your supermarket.
  • Oyster sauce – Dark brown, thick, and not exactly delicious on its own, oyster sauce is one of those condiments that really helps tie a dish together. With a strong umami flavor, oyster sauce gives moo goo gai pan an extra layer of flavor.
  • Shaoxing cooking wine – A wine frequently used in Asian and Chinese cooking, this is probably the only ingredient that can be somewhat difficult to get your hands on. Substitutes include dry sherry or additional chicken broth.
  • Feel free to add your favorite vegetables. Other delicious veggie examples include baby bok choy, Chinese cabbage, celery, or bell peppers.
  • Allow your chicken to marinate for 30 minutes or so (time allowing). This allows your meat to tenderize.
  • Struggling to get your chicken thinly sliced? Pop your chicken breasts in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, or just long enough to solidify slightly. Remove from the freezer and slice!
  • Make it vegetarian! Add a vegetarian oyster sauce (made from mushrooms so you still get that umami flavor), swap chicken for tofu (or leave out altogether), and swap the chicken broth for veggie broth or water.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Originally published April 18, 2019

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 1192mg | Potassium: 590mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1140IU | Vitamin C: 19.8mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1.5mg
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