If you have been searching for a truly satisfying, home-cooked stir-fry that bursts with flavor and comes together in a flash, you are in for a treat with this Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe. This dish balances tender, juicy chicken with earthy mushrooms and crisp vegetables all brought together by a savory, slightly sweet sauce that clings perfectly to every bite. It’s a one-pan wonder that delivers vibrant colors, exciting textures, and aromatic notes you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you are cooking for the family or whipping up a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe promises a restaurant-quality meal with every forkful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These straightforward ingredients are the backbone of a delicious Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe, each carefully chosen to build layers of flavor, texture, and color. From the tender chicken to the mix of savory sauces, every component plays its part beautifully.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and maximum tenderness.
- Cornstarch: Helps the chicken achieve a velvety, glossy coating and tender texture.
- Baking soda: A little secret to make the chicken extra soft and juicy.
- Shaoxing wine: Adds depth with its subtle sweetness and complexity.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Balances salty and umami notes without overpowering the dish.
- Oyster sauce: Gives a rich, briny punch that intensifies the stir fry’s flavor.
- Dark soy sauce: For color and a slight hint of caramel sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Rounds out the sauce with mellow sweetness.
- Rice vinegar: Cuts through richness with a mild tang.
- Sesame oil: Provides a toasty aroma that lifts the entire dish.
- Peanut oil: A high-heat oil perfect for stir-frying and gives a subtle nutty background.
- Onion: Sliced to add crunch and natural sweetness when cooked.
- Garlic: Sliced thinly for fragrant intensity without bitterness.
- Ginger: Julienned for fresh, peppery brightness.
- White mushrooms (cremini or shiitake): Sliced to bring earthiness and a tender bite.
- Red bell pepper: Thinly sliced to infuse color and crisp sweetness.
- Green onions: Finely sliced for a fresh, mild onion finish.
How to Make Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Begin by combining the thinly sliced chicken breasts with cornstarch, baking soda, Shaoxing wine, and low-sodium soy sauce in a bowl. This marinade mixture is critical as it tenderizes the protein and builds a base flavor that will shine throughout the dish. Letting the chicken sit for even a short while allows all these ingredients to work their magic.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
While the chicken marinates, whisk together oyster sauce, low-sodium and dark soy sauces, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a separate small bowl. This mixture creates a complex, savory sauce that perfectly coats the chicken and vegetables, giving that signature stir fry taste that’s both sweet and tangy with just the right kick.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Heat peanut oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until it shimmers. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer and resist the urge to stir immediately. Letting it sear for 2 minutes locks in juices and gives a lovely golden color. Then stir-fry briefly until the chicken is cooked through, tender, and irresistibly luscious. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
Step 4: Stir-fry the Vegetables
Use the same pan to stir-fry onion, garlic, and ginger just long enough to release their fragrance. Then toss in mushrooms and red bell pepper slices. These veggies soften slightly but still retain a satisfying bite and vibrant colors that make the dish as delightful to look at as to eat.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables and pour the prepared sauce over everything. Toss and stir well to coat each ingredient with the luscious sauce. This final mix melds all the flavors together, creating that irresistible aroma which signals the dish is ready to enjoy.
How to Serve Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe
Garnishes
Top your Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe with freshly sliced green onions to add a pop of color and a mild oniony punch. For an extra touch of texture and flavor, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds, which bring a subtle nuttiness that complements the sauce beautifully.
Side Dishes
This stir fry pairs wonderfully with plain steamed jasmine or basmati rice, allowing the rich sauce to soak in perfectly. For a lighter option, serve alongside steamed or stir-fried greens such as bok choy or snap peas, adding extra crunch and freshness to the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party or fun twist, serve your stir fry over crispy fried rice cakes or nestled inside warm lettuce wraps for a refreshing handheld option. Another great idea is plating it over a bed of fluffy quinoa or cauliflower rice to blend familiar comfort with modern health-conscious twists.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let your Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, leftovers will keep their quality for up to 3 days, making it a perfect option for quick lunches or easy dinners during the busy week.
Freezing
While freezing this stir fry is possible, it’s best to freeze the cooked chicken and vegetables separately from rice if you plan to serve it that way. Package in airtight freezer-safe containers or bags, and consume within 2 months for best flavor and texture retention.
Reheating
Reheat your leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, stirring gently to warm through without drying out the chicken. You can add a splash of water or a little extra soy sauce to loosen the sauce if it thickened too much in storage. Avoid microwaving if possible to keep the chicken tender and the veggies fresh.
FAQs
Can I use other types of mushrooms for this Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe?
Absolutely! While cremini and shiitake mushrooms are recommended for their texture and flavor, you can also use button mushrooms or oyster mushrooms depending on your preference and availability.
What can I substitute for Shaoxing wine?
If you don’t have Shaoxing wine, dry sherry or a mild rice wine works well as a substitute. You can also use chicken broth with a splash of vinegar for a non-alcoholic option.
Is it necessary to marinate the chicken with baking soda?
Marinating with baking soda is a traditional technique that tenderizes the chicken, making it extra soft and juicy. If you’re short on time, you can skip it, but the texture might be slightly less silky.
Can I make this dish vegetarian or vegan?
Definitely! Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh and swap oyster sauce for a vegetarian mushroom sauce or hoisin sauce to keep the savory umami flavors intact.
How spicy is this Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe?
This recipe is designed to be mild and approachable. If you want to add some heat, consider tossing in fresh chili slices or a dash of chili garlic sauce during cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe is a joy to make and even more delightful to eat. It offers endless comfort and a marvelous blend of flavors that feel both fresh and familiar. Once you try it, you’ll find it hard to go back to boring dinners. So grab your wok and dive into this tasty, colorful dish that will surely become one of your new favorites.
Print
Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts are marinated and stir-fried with savory mushrooms, crisp bell peppers, and aromatic aromatics like garlic and ginger, all brought together with a savory-sweet sauce made from soy, oyster sauce, and rice vinegar. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe offers a balanced, satisfying meal served over rice.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or rice wine or sherry)
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Stir Fry Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 2-inch piece of ginger, julienned
- 8 ounces white mushrooms (cremini or shiitake), sliced
- 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Combine the thinly sliced chicken breasts with cornstarch, baking soda, Shaoxing wine, and low-sodium soy sauce in a bowl. Mix well to coat. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the sauce and vegetables.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat peanut oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer and let cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to develop a sear. Then, stir-fry until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Stir-fry Vegetables: Add the sliced onion, garlic, and julienned ginger to the hot skillet. Stir-fry briefly until fragrant, about 1 minute. Then add the sliced mushrooms and red bell pepper. Continue stir-frying until the vegetables are slightly softened but still crisp.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and toss well to coat all ingredients evenly. Stir-fry together for another 1-2 minutes until heated through and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the stir-fry. Serve immediately, ideally over steamed rice, for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute Shaoxing wine with rice wine or dry sherry if unavailable.
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with firm tofu and use vegetarian oyster sauce.
- Adjust the amount of soy sauce and brown sugar to balance saltiness and sweetness as per your taste.
- Use a well-heated wok or skillet to get the best stir-fry texture and flavor.
- Serve with jasmine or long-grain rice for best pairing.
