Moo Shu Chicken Recipe To Satisfy Your Craving 

If you're an adventurous food lover, always seeking new flavors and textures to tantalize your taste buds, then Moo Shu Chicken (or mu shu chicken) might just be the dish you've been craving. With its colorful presentation, Moo Shu Chicken stimulates the taste buds and the eyes. The vibrant ingredients medley wrapped in a soft and pliable pancake creates a visually appealing masterpiece that is as delightful to behold as it is to eat. The interactive nature of the dish, where diners create their own wraps at the table, adds an element of fun and engagement to the dining experience.

Beyond the culinary delights, Moo Shu Chicken's rich cultural history adds depth to its appeal. Originating in the imperial courts of Beijing, this dish has evolved over centuries, adapting to regional variations and incorporating new ingredients. It embodies the harmonious blend of time-honored traditions and innovative culinary techniques, showcasing Chinese cuisine's dynamic and ever-evolving nature.

Below, I will show you how to make moo shu chicken and along with some tips to achieve the perfect balance of flavors.

Moo Shu Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

1. Before cooking the chicken, marinate it in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger for about 15-30 minutes. By marinating the chicken, the flavors will permeate the meat, resulting in enhanced taste and increased tenderness.

2. Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble them until fully cooked. Transfer the scrambled eggs from the skillet to a separate plate and set them aside.

3. In the same skillet, stir-fry the chicken slices until they are thoroughly cooked, which should take approximately 5-6 minutes on medium heat. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside for later use.

4. Add the wood ear mushrooms, shredded carrots, and sliced cucumbers in the same skillet. Continue stir-frying the vegetables for about 3-4 minutes until they reach a slightly tender consistency.

5. Add the cooked chicken and scrambled eggs to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the sauce mixture over the cooked chicken, vegetables, and eggs, ensuring everything is well coated. Stir thoroughly to distribute the sauce and the ingredients evenly. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. Once it's done, top it with green onions (optional).

6. Gently warm the whole wheat tortillas or prepare the lettuce leaves for serving. Spoon the Moo Shu Chicken mixture onto the warmed tortillas or onto the prepared lettuce leaves.

What Is Moo Shu Chicken?

Originating in Northern China, Moo Shu Pork is a beloved and enduring classic in Chinese cuisine. But Moo Shu Chicken or known as Mu Shu Chicken is a popular modern dish in Chinese cuisine, specifically originating from Northern China.

Mu Shu Chicken is a stir-fried dish that typically consists of thinly sliced chicken, shredded cabbage, wood ear mushrooms, and other vegetables. The ingredients are harmoniously cooked in a savory sauce, creating a delectable blend of flavors. This enticing mixture is traditionally served with thin Mandarin pancakes or flour tortillas.

The name "Moo Shu" is derived from the Mandarin word "mù xū" (木须), which translates to "wood shavings" or "wood beard." The name refers to the traditional dish preparation method, where the ingredients are sliced into thin strips resembling wood shavings.

The chicken is usually marinated with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic and then stir-fried in a wok or skillet along with the vegetables. Common vegetables used in Moo Shu Chicken include cabbage, carrots, and sometimes other additions like bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, or bell peppers. Renowned for their distinct texture, wood ear mushrooms, also referred to as black fungus, contribute an unparalleled element to the dish.

What You Will Need To Make This Recipe

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts are lean cuts of meat known for their relatively low fat content. They offer a substantial protein source and impart a tender and subtle flavor to the dish. Choose boneless and skinless chicken breasts to keep the dish healthier.

Low-Sodium Soy Sauce

Soy sauce plays a pivotal role as a fundamental ingredient in Chinese cuisine. It adds a savory and slightly salty flavor to the dish. Opting for a low-sodium variety helps reduce the overall sodium content, which is beneficial if you're watching your sodium intake.

Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce, a rich and dark condiment widely employed in Chinese cooking, showcases a delightful blend of sweetness and savory notes. Infused with the essence of soybeans, garlic, and various spices, it adds a distinctive and flavorful dimension to dishes. Look for a reduced sodium option to minimize the salt content.

If hoisin sauce is not available, substitute hoisin sauce with oyster sauce or plum sauce instead. While oyster and plum sauce are not typically used in traditional Moo Shu Chicken, they can certainly be incorporated to add depth of flavor and a touch of umami to the dish.

Rice Vinegar

Derived from the fermentation of rice, rice vinegar imparts a gentle acidity and tang to the dish. This mild tanginess effectively balances the sweetness of other ingredients, harmonizing the overall flavor profile and enhancing the culinary experience.

Sesame Oil

Extracted from sesame seeds, sesame oil boasts a unique nutty flavor and aromatic essence. It is employed in modest quantities to imbue the dish with depth and richness. Exercise caution when using sesame oil, as its potent flavor can easily overpower other ingredients.

Garlic And Ginger

Garlic and ginger, renowned for their aromatic qualities, are frequently employed in Asian cuisine as essential flavoring agents. Garlic adds a pungent and savory flavor, while ginger provides a warm and slightly spicy taste. Both ingredients enhance the overall taste and fragrance of the dish.

Wood Ear Mushrooms

Wood ear mushrooms, also known as black fungus, have a unique texture and absorb flavors well. They add a chewy and slightly crunchy element to the dish. Prior to incorporating them into the recipe, it is necessary to soak the wood ear mushrooms in water to achieve the desired level of tenderness and pliability.

If you're looking for a substitute for wood ear mushrooms in the Moo Shu Chicken recipe, there are a few options you can consider. While no ingredient will perfectly replicate the unique texture and taste of wood ear mushrooms, alternatives can still provide a pleasing result. This includes sliced shiitake mushrooms, button mushrooms, portobello mushrooms and cremini mushrooms.

Sliced Carrots

Carrots are vibrant orange root vegetables that bring color, sweetness, and a satisfying crunch to the Moo Shu Chicken. Sliced carrots add texture and freshness to the dish.

Sliced Cucumbers

Cucumbers are refreshing and provide a cool and crisp element to the dish. Cucumbers offer a gentle and refreshing taste that harmonizes well with the other ingredients, providing a mild and hydrating flavor profile. Slicing them thinly or cutting them into julienne strips ensures they blend well with the other components.

Eggs

Beaten eggs are scrambled and cooked separately, then added to the Moo Shu Chicken mixture. They provide a protein-rich component to the dish and add a velvety texture. Scrambled eggs complement the other ingredients and enhance the overall taste and satiety.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is a neutral-tasting vegetable oil that is commonly used for stir-frying due to its high smoke point. The high heat provided by avocado oil facilitates rapid and uniform cooking of the ingredients, ensuring they are perfectly cooked.

Salt And Pepper

Salt and pepper are classic seasonings used to enhance the dish's flavors. Add them according to your taste preferences, considering that the soy sauce and hoisin sauce also contribute to the overall saltiness.

Whole Wheat Tortillas Or Lettuce Leaves

Whole wheat tortillas are a healthier alternative to traditional paper-thin mandarin pancakes when serving Moo Shu Chicken. They provide a sturdy wrap for the filling. Alternatively, you can use lettuce leaves, such as iceberg or butter lettuce, for a low-carb and gluten-free option. Lettuce leaves add a refreshing and crisp element to the dish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Do I Store Leftovers Of Moo Shu Chicken?

Storing them separately is best if you have leftovers with pancakes or wraps. To preserve their freshness, transfer the leftovers to either an airtight container or a zip-top bag.

Transfer the leftover Moo Shu Chicken and any vegetables to separate airtight containers. Make sure the containers are suitable for refrigeration and can seal tightly to keep the food fresh and prevent odor transfer. Consume the leftover Moo Shu Chicken within 3-4 days. After that, discarding any remaining leftovers is generally recommended to ensure food safety.

What can be used as a substitute for wood ear mushrooms?

Wood ear mushrooms are prized for their unique crunchy texture and earthy flavor. If unavailable, shiitake mushrooms are a popular alternative because they contribute a similar umami taste and slightly chewy texture. Button or oyster mushrooms, while differing in texture, can also suffice, adding their own mild and slightly sweet flavors to the dish.

Is it possible to make Moo Shu Chicken gluten-free?

Making Moo Shu Chicken gluten-free involves selecting the right ingredients. Traditional soy sauce and hoisin sauce contain gluten, so opt for tamari or certified gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin sauce instead. For the pancakes, use gluten-free moo shu pancakes or lettuce wraps as alternatives to ensure the dish remains gluten-free without sacrificing flavor.

How do you wrap Moo Shu Chicken?

Wrapping Moo Shu Chicken correctly is crucial for the dining experience. Start by laying out a moo shu pancake or a lettuce leaf, spread a thin layer of hoisin sauce over it, then place a generous scoop of the stir-fried chicken and vegetable mixture in the center. Fold the bottom edge upwards to cover part of the filling, then fold in the sides and roll tightly from one end to the other, securing the contents inside.

Can Moo Shu Chicken be made vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian Moo Shu dish, replace the chicken with alternative protein sources like tofu or tempeh and cut it into thin strips to mimic the texture of chicken. Additional varieties of mushrooms, such as portobello or cremini, can be added to enhance the umami and maintain the dish's hearty feel.