Panda Express Chow Mein & Mushroom Chicken

My Panda's order for meal prep

Let’s make my go-to Panda Express order for meal prep this week!

Chow Mein

Sauce:

• ¼ cup soy sauce

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tbsp mirin

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp ginger, minced (about 1 inch)

• Black pepper, to taste

Stir-Fry Ingredients:

• 10 oz chow mein noodles

• 3 stalks celery, chopped

• 1 yellow onion, sliced

• ½ cabbage, thinly sliced

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, sesame oil, mirin, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper. Set aside.

2. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, then drain.

3. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add celery and onion; sauté for about 2 minutes until onions are soft and transparent.

4. Add the cabbage and cook for another 2 minutes.

5. Toss in the noodles and the sauce mixture. Stir-fry everything over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes until well combined.

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Mushroom Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1 tbsp oil

• 16 oz mushrooms, sliced (white or bella mushrooms work great)

• 1 zucchini, cut into half circles

Chicken Marinade:

• ¼ cup chicken stock

• 1 tbsp mirin

• 2 tsp cornstarch

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Sauce:

• ¼ cup chicken stock

• 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp rice vinegar

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp ginger, minced

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl or large Ziploc bag. Add the chicken pieces and let them sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine chicken stock, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.

3. Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding, about 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from the pan.

4. Cook Veggies: Add the mushrooms and zucchini to the same pan. Sauté for about 3 minutes.

5. Combine Everything: Add the chicken back to the pan along with the sauce. Sauté for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is coated.

6. Garnish with sesame seeds.

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Meal Prep Instructions:

1. Divide the chow mein evenly into 4 meal prep containers.

2. Top each with the mushroom chicken.

3. Add a side — I used 365 Brand egg rolls from Whole Foods 

Heating Tip: Microwave in two 30-second increments, stirring in between.

Storage: These meals keep well in the fridge for 3–4 days.