Making Moo Goo Gai Pan is easy and doesn’t take long. With just a few ingredients and a hot pan, I can whip up this delicious dish in under 30 minutes. Plus, being able to control what goes into my meal and adjust it to my taste makes it even better. What could be better than a stir fry? They’re so tasty, and so quick and easy! From classics like my Beef with Broccoli and General Tso’s Chicken, to lesser known dishes like Korean Squid Stir Fry and Vietnamese Shaking Beef, I make sure our wok is well used.
What is Moo Goo Gai Pan?
Moo Goo Gai Pan is a beloved staple from American-Chinese cuisine. Originating from the Cantonese classic, Mah Gu Gai Pin, this dish has been adapted to Western palates while retaining its essence. This tasty stir fry combines chicken with vegetables like snow peas, carrots, mushrooms, and water chestnuts. The name “Moo Goo Gai Pan” comes from the Cantonese language. When translated, it quite literally describes the core ingredients of the dish. “Moo goo” means button mushrooms, “gai” means chicken, and “pan” refers to slices.
Ingredients Needed
Boneless skinless chicken breast – You can also use thighs, but breast meat is more traditional in this recipe. For marinating the chicken – Cornstarch, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine), baking soda, sesame oil. Veggies and aromatics – Carrots, mushrooms, green onions, snow peas, water chestnuts, garlic. Moo goo gai pan sauce – Soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, chicken broth. Cornstarch and water – For thickening the sauce.
Easy Moo Goo Gai Pan Recipe
- Velvet the chicken: First, I slice the chicken into ¼ inch slices, cutting against the grain. Then, I combine it well with the marinade ingredients. I let it marinate for 30 minutes, or while I prep the rest of the ingredients.
- Stir fry chicken: When ready to cook, I heat oil in a wok or large skillet, then cook the chicken slices for 30 seconds per side. I continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until they’re cooked through. Then, I plate it out.
- Add veggies: I add the carrots, mushrooms, and white parts of the green onion. I stir-fry them for about 3 minutes, then add the garlic for 30 seconds, followed by the water chestnuts.
- Add chicken and sauce: I add the stir-fry sauce and return the chicken to the skillet. I cook for a minute, then mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. I add it to the stir-fry and cook for another minute.
- Finish the stir fry: Finally, I add snow peas and combine everything well. Once the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through, I add the green parts of the green onions. Then, serve it immediately, garnishing with sesame seeds.
Serving Suggestions
While I usually eat moo goo gai pan just with simple white rice, sometimes I’ll whip up a quick batch of Fried Rice, or skip the rice altogether and pair it with Spicy Noodles. For a full on Asian night, I like to serve it with cup of Wonton Soup and a side of Asian Cucumber Salad.
Alpana’s Tips
Freeze the Chicken: I find that partially freezing the chicken makes it much easier to slice very thinly. Marinate the Chicken: I always make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This process, called velveting, is key for tender, flavorful chicken. Prep in Advance: I’ve learned that having all my ingredients sliced, diced, and ready to go makes the cooking process smoother and faster. After all, stir-frying is a quick process! Cook in Batches: If I’m using a smaller pan, I avoid overcrowding. Cooking in batches ensures each piece of chicken and vegetables gets cooked evenly. Add Vegetables Based on Cooking Time: I add hard vegetables like carrots first and delicate ones like snow peas later. This way, everything is perfectly cooked at the end.
Whip up my easy version of Moo Goo Gai Pan tonight. With its great flavors and easy cooking, this can be your new weeknight best friend! Make sure to save or pin this recipe so you always know where to find it. And don’t forget to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new recipes for you!
Moo Goo Gai Pan, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try these other great stir fry recipes!Hunan ShrimpNasi GorengBeef BulgogiOrange ChickenPork Stir FryBeijing BeefKung Pao ChickenEasy Chicken Stir Fry
