Moo Goo Gai Pan
A quick and easy Chinese stir-fry featuring tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a savory sauce that delivers authentic flavors. Moo Goo Gai Pan is a healthy, light dish perfect for busy weeknights and customizable to fit various dietary preferences.
- Author: Judy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thigh, sliced into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables
- 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
- 1 cup snow peas or snap peas
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (cornstarch slurry)
Other
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for stir-frying)
- Prepare and slice the chicken and vegetables: Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Wash and evenly slice mushrooms, carrots, peas, and water chestnuts to ensure even cooking and attractive presentation.
- Stir-fry the chicken: Heat oil over medium-high heat in a wok or large skillet. Add chicken pieces and cook for 4–5 minutes until lightly browned and almost cooked through. Remove and set aside to retain juices.
- Cook the vegetables: In the same pan, add minced ginger and garlic first and stir-fry until fragrant. Then add mushrooms, carrots, peas, and water chestnuts. Cook for 3–4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return chicken to the pan. Pour in the sauce mixture (soy sauce, chicken broth, oyster sauce, and cornstarch slurry). Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats all ingredients with a glossy finish.
- Finish and garnish: Turn off the heat and sprinkle chopped green onions over the dish. Toss gently to combine, then serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use high heat for quick cooking, keeping vegetables crisp and chicken juicy.
- Prep all ingredients and sauce before starting to make cooking smoother.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even cooking; cook in batches if necessary.
- Adjust sauce thickness by adding more cornstarch slurry or broth according to preference.
- Use fresh mushrooms rather than canned for better flavor and texture.
- Substitute chicken with tofu or mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
- Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free sauce alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Moo Goo Gai Pan, Chinese stir-fry, chicken stir-fry, gluten free Chinese recipe, quick Chinese dinner, healthy Chinese food