recipe moo goo gai pan

Moo Goo Gai Pan Recipe

5/5 (1)
35 mins
Vadim Rachok
03.01.2024
03.04.2024
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Recipe Ingredients Video Nutrition
10 / 10
Health score
Dairy FreeEgg free dishGluten free dishLow Carb DishLow FatNut Free DishPaleo Dish

Have you ever tried to make Moo Goo Gin Pan recipe? This dish with an interesting name will capture your heart. In just 35 minutes you will get a delicious dish.  Moo Goo Gin Pan is chicken and classic stir-fry vegetables all bathed in a testy sauce. The dish is not only delicious but also very flavorful. Your kitchen will fill with an incredible aroma when you make this dish. Let’s find out how to make the best Moo Goo Gin Pan together!

Moo Goo Gai Pan, a delightful Chinese stir-fry, marries succulent chicken with vibrant veggies, bathing them in a savory symphony of flavors. The dish's simplicity belies its rich taste, a blend of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and rice wine. A quick, 35-minute journey to a homemade masterpiece that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas. Get ready to elevate your stir-fry game!

What is a Moo Goo Gai Pan? 

Moo Goo Gai Pan is a Chinese stir-fry consisting of sliced or diced chicken combined with classic vegetables and a rich, savory sauce. The dish commonly includes white meat chicken, mushrooms, and a medley of vegetables such as broccoli florets, bell pepper, carrot, and onion, all cooked in a light, savory sauce with both, say sauce, mitsukan, oyster sauce, and sugar. It’s known for its rich, light, and simple flavors, making it a favorite for dinner or lunch.

The name of this dish comes from its main ingredients: moo goo – mushroom, gai – chicken, pan – slices.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Shiny chicken, mushrooms, and vibrant veggies are served in a restaurant-quality sauce that’s spicy, tangy, and thick.
  • It’s quick and easy. 35 minutes of cooking time. Tastes better than takeout.
  • Tender, juicy chicken adds flavor, moisture, and a silky, tender texture to the dish.

Moo Goo Gai Pan Recipe

ingredients for moo goo gai pan

Homemade Moo Goo Gai Pan that tastes like a restaurant meal can be made in just 35 minutes. Anyone can make this meal without any special cooking skills. All you need to do is stir-fry all the ingredients and bathe them in sauce.

Moo Goo Gai Pan Ingredients

  • Chicken: Moo goo gai pan typically uses boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh meat. It provides substance and satisfying texture and serves as the protein base of the dish.
  • Champignons: Fresh mushrooms, such as Champignons, are a key component of moo goo gai pan, adding a savory umami flavor and meaty texture to the dish.
  • Vegetables: Moo Goo Gai Pan often includes a variety of vegetables such as snow onion, carrots, bell pepper, and broccoli. These vegetables not only add color and freshness but also provide a pleasant crunch and contrast in texture.
  • Garlic and Ginger: These aromatic ingredients are used to add bold flavors and aromas to the dish. They are usually minced or finely chopped and added to the stir-fry for depth of flavor.
  • Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds a spicy umami taste and a rich brown color to the dish. 
  • Oyster sauce: Oyster sauce adds a unique spicy-sweet taste and a bright shine to the dish. It adds depth to the sauce and enhances the overall umami profile.
  • Chicken Broth or Stock: Chicken broth or stock is used to make the sauce for the moo goo gai pan, as it provides a savory base and helps to blend the flavors of the other ingredients.
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch is often used as a thickener in the sauce to give it a slightly thick and glossy consistency that coats the chicken and vegetables.
  • Sesame Oil: A small amount of sesame oil is added at the end of cooking to add nutty flavor and depth to the dish.

How to make Moo Goo Gai Pan?

Moo goo gai pan Recipe Step By Step 1-4

Moo goo gai pan Recipe Step By Step 5-8

  1. First, cut onions and peppers into strips, broccoli, and champignons, and carrots into slices. Then, cut garlic into thin slices.
  2. Thinly slice green onion. Next, cut chicken thighs into strips.
  3. Heat the frying pan, add the oil, and sauté the onion for 2 minutes, then add the broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
  4. Then, add the thigh, champignons, and garlic and fry for 4-5 minutes.
  5. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, mitsukan, and sugar, mix and add broth. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper.
  6. Then, mix the starch with water and stir until the starch dissolves.
  7. Add the starch mixture to our dish. Add sesame seeds (leave some for decoration).
  8. Place the dish on a plate, and sprinkle with green onion and remaining sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Chef Recipe Tips:

  • Everything should be fried at a high temperature so that the vegetables caramelize quickly and are not overcooked. 
  • I recommend using chicken thighs, not fillets. They are more succulent. 
  • If the sauce is too thick, add a little more broth; the consistency should be sauce-like.

is moo goo gai pan healthy

Storage Instructions

  • Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.
  • Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or in a hot skillet on the stove with a little bit of oil.
  • A dash of soy sauce and a little white pepper should bring back the flavor if it has lost some of its flavor in the refrigerator.
  • If the sauce in your leftovers has become watery, make a cornstarch thickener. Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 teaspoons water. After you have reheated your moo goo gai pan in a frying pan, slowly pour the thickening mixture into the pan, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.

What to Serve with Moo Goo Gai Pan

Moo goo gai pan is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of side dishes to create a balanced and satisfying meal. Here are some popular options for serving moo goo gai pan:

  • Steamed rice: Serve over steamed jasmine or brown rice, which will absorb the spicy sauce.
  • Noodles: For a heartier meal, enjoy Moo Goo Gai Pan with noodles such as lo mein, chow mein, or rice noodles. Toss the noodles with a little bit of sesame oil and soy sauce to add some extra flavor.
  • Spring rolls or egg rolls: Add crispy spring rolls or egg rolls as an appetizer or side dish to your moo goo gai pan. These crunchy snacks provide a delicious contrast to the tender stir-fry.
  • Chinese Dumplings: Enjoy steamed or stir-fried Chinese dumplings, such as potstickers or shumai, as a delicious starter or side dish with your Moo Goo Gai Pan.
  • Fried rice: For a complete and satisfying meal, serve Moo Goo Gai Pan with fragrant fried rice, either plain or with added vegetables and protein.
  • Fresh Fruit: To balance the richness of the stir-fry, refresh your palate with a side of fresh fruit such as orange slices, pineapple chunks, or grapes.
  • Green salad: To add a refreshing and nutritious element to the meal, serve a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing.

A wonderful recipe for an early dinner or a healthy low-carb lunch. A high amount of protein will provide satiety and support muscle growth (but for those who are actively working out and aiming to gain quality muscle mass, I recommend adding a side of complex carbohydrates: like grains or a couple of slices of whole wheat bread). For those looking to lose weight, this dish can be enjoyed as is; it is self-contained and balanced. Additionally, Moo Goo Gai Pan is suitable for those following a light Keto diet.

Jenny Dobrynina
Jenny Dobrynina
Nutrition Editor
Health score:
10 / 10
Moo Goo Gai Pan Recipe
5/5 (1)
Author:Vadim Rachok
Moo goo gai pan: stir-fried chicken and vegetables with sauce.
recipe moo goo gai pan
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
3
The ingredients you need:
2-3 chicken thighs
1 pc onion
1 pc carrot (white)
2,5 ounces (70 g) champignons
1 pc small bell pepper
several florets broccoli
3 cloves garlic
1,4 ounces (40 g) soy sauce
1 ounce (30 g) oyster sauce
0,5 ounces (15 g) mitsukan
0,4 ounces (10 g) sugar
3,5 ounces (100 g) chicken broth
0,4 ounces (10 g) starch
1,8 ounces (50 g) water for starch mixture
2-3 stalks green onion
0,5 ounces (15 g) sesame
salt
pepper
oil for frying
Let’s start !
1

Cut onions and peppers into strips, broccoli, and champignons, and carrots into slices. Cut garlic into thin slices.

2

Thinly slice green onion. Cut chicken thighs into strips.

3

Heat the frying pan, add the oil, and sauté the onion for 2 minutes, then add the broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.

4

Add the thigh, champignons, and garlic and fry for 4-5 minutes.

5

Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, mitsukan, and sugar, mix and add broth. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper.

6

Mix the starch with water and stir until the starch dissolves.

7

Add the starch mixture to our dish. Add sesame seeds (leave some for decoration).

8

Place on a plate, and sprinkle with green onion and remaining sesame seeds.

Nutrition Information
Servings Per Recipe: 3 Calories: 1418
% Daily Value *
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g12%
Saturated Fat 2g8%
Cholesterol 66mg22%
Sodium 833mg36%
Total Carbohydrate 23g8%
Dietary Fiber 6g22%
Protein 34g 
Vitamin C 43mg214%
Calcium 55mg4%
Iron 4mg19%
Potassium 695mg15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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For an extra burst of flavor, consider marinating the chicken for 30 minutes before cooking. This simple step enhances tenderness and infuses the dish with even more deliciousness. Experiment with vegetable choices to suit your preferences and add a personal touch to this classic Moo Goo Gai Pan recipe!

Vadim Rachok
Vadim Rachok
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