Sweet, salty, sticky—need I say more?
This chicken mushroom stir-fry is your new weeknight go-to.
Looking for a quick, flavorful dinner idea? This chicken mushroom stir-fry is simple, healthy, and completely satisfying.
Sweet, salty, sticky, and full of umami—this easy stir-fry hits every craving.
Made with tender chicken breast, golden mushrooms, and a glossy homemade chicken mushroom stir-fry sauce, it’s everything you love about takeout, but healthier and faster to make at home. Whether you’re after a simple chicken mushroom stir-fry for busy weeknights or a wholesome dish that’s light yet filling, this one-pan recipe is your answer.
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Chicken Mushroom Stir-Fry
- Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavor-packed: Sweet, salty, and savory in every bite.
- Healthy: A delicious, better-for-you meal that’s full of nutrients.
- Simple Ingredients: No hard-to-find ingredients—just everyday pantry staples.
How to Make a Perfect Stir-Fry
Stir-frying is a technique that requires a little practice, but with these simple steps, you’ll be making perfect stir-fries every time.
- High Heat: Always use high heat to ensure the ingredients cook quickly and evenly.
- Prep First: Have everything prepped and ready to go before you start cooking, as stir-frying moves quickly.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: If you’re cooking in batches, avoid overcrowding the pan, as this will steam the ingredients instead of giving them a good sear.
Follow these tips, and you’ll have a perfectly cooked stir-fry in no time!
Ingredients for a Simple Chicken Mushroom Stir-Fry
Chicken Marinade
- Dark Soy Sauce: For a rich, deep flavor.
- Cornstarch: To help tenderize the chicken and create a velvety texture.
- Chinese Cooking Wine: Adds complexity and an authentic flavor.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: For a slight sweetness and touch of heat.
Stir-Fry
- Mushrooms: Any variety, but button mushrooms work great.
- Onion: Sweet onions add a savory base.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic brings out that bold, aromatic flavor.
- Oil: Use a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable or sunflower oil, to prevent burning while stir-frying.
Sauce
- Dark Soy Sauce: Gives depth to the sauce.
- Soy Sauce: Adds a savory, umami kick.
- Mirin: A slightly sweet rice wine that balances the salty flavors.
- Water: To adjust the sauce’s consistency.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce and makes it glossy.
Toppings
- Cilantro: Freshness to brighten up the dish.
- Chili: Adds a little heat and color.
- Lemon/Lime Juice: A squeeze of citrus adds a zesty finish.
Chicken Mushroom Stir-Fry Sauce: Sweet, Sticky, and So Simple
The star of this stir-fry is the glossy, umami-packed sauce. It’s simple to make but adds tons of flavor. Here’s the key to getting it just right:
- Cornstarch: Mixed with water (make sure it’s cold!) to create a smooth, thickened sauce. A little goes a long way—be gentle with it, or you’ll end up with a stir-fry chicken pudding!
- Water: Helps thin out the sauce for the perfect consistency. If you like a saucier stir-fry, simply add more water to taste.
- Soy Sauce & Dark Soy Sauce: These work together to provide the deep, savory base of the sauce.
- Mirin: Adds the sweet contrast that balances the saltiness and enhances the depth of flavor.
Once you add the cornstarch mixture, let the sauce boil gently. It will thicken as it simmers, so be patient and keep an eye on it. The result? A sauce that’s perfectly sticky and coats the chicken and veggies beautifully.
Essential Sauces and Products You Need in Your Pantry
Stir-fry recipes are all about the sauces, and the right ones make a huge difference. Here are my go-to sauces and products that I always keep on hand:
- Dark Soy Sauce – (Shop Here) – I recommend using a high-quality dark soy sauce for that rich color and umami flavor. It’s thicker and sweeter than regular soy sauce, perfect for stir-fry dishes.
- Regular Soy Sauce (Shop Here) – Regular soy sauce provides the perfect salty balance to the dark soy sauce in the stir-fry. It’s thinner and less sweet, but still adds that essential savory depth to your sauce.
- Chinese Cooking Wine (Shop Here) – This adds a nice depth of flavor to the chicken marinade. If you can’t find it, dry sherry can work as a substitute.
- Mirin (Shop Here) – A sweet rice wine that balances the saltiness of the soy sauce. It’s an absolute must for an authentic stir-fry taste.
- Sweet Chili Sauce (Shop Here) – This adds a hint of sweetness with a mild kick of spice. It’s perfect for the chicken marinade to tenderize and flavor the meat.
How to Make Chicken Breast Tender in a Stir-Fry
Achieving tender, juicy chicken breast in a stir-fry is easy with a few key tips:
- Cut Against the Grain: Slice the chicken against the grain, keeping the pieces a bit thicker for a more tender bite.
- Marinate for Tenderness: A marinade of dark soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, cornstarch, and Chinese cooking wine does wonders. The cooking wine adds a touch of acidity and depth, while the cornstarch locks in moisture for that perfect texture.
- Don’t Overcook: When stir-frying, focus on getting that perfect caramelization and a bit of char on the chicken. You don’t need to worry about cooking it through just yet. The goal is to get a rich, caramelized exterior with a little char. Once you have that, we’ll finish cooking the chicken off in the sauce for a few extra minutes. This keeps it tender and juicy without drying it out.
- For a Beautiful Color: To get that golden, caramelized color without drying out the chicken, make sure your pan is extremely hot, and use a marinade that contains a bit of sugar, like sweet chili sauce. This helps with caramelization, giving the chicken the rich, appetizing color we all love.
Tips for Adding Vegetables
Want to make this dish even more nutritious? Add some extra vegetables!
- Bell Peppers: Thinly sliced bell peppers add a nice crunch and a burst of sweetness.
- Snap Peas: Their natural sweetness complements the savory chicken and mushrooms perfectly.
- Broccoli: Packed with nutrients, broccoli adds color and texture to your stir-fry.
These veggies are easy to incorporate, and they only add to the overall flavor and health benefits of your meal. Feel free to mix and match based on what you like or what you have on hand!
Leftovers & Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens more as it cools, but it reheats well in a pan or microwave. Add a splash of water if needed to loosen it up.
Looking for a light, refreshing dessert? check out my tapioca with fruit recipe! It is the perfect combo with this recipe.
Chicken Mushroom Stir-Fry
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 2 chicken breasts (cut into chunks against the grain)
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
- 1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp unflower oil (or other neutral oil, for frying)
Stir-Fry
- 2 baskets mini portobello mushrooms, halved or quartered
- 1 small onion, cut into thick strips
- 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil (or other neutral oil, for frying)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp regular soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 3 tbsp cold water
- ½ tsp cornstarch
Toppings
- Sliced red chili (optional)
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Wedge of lemon or lime
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the chicken chunks with Chinese cooking wine, sweet chili sauce, dark soy sauce, and cornstarch. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes to tenderize and absorb flavor.
- While the chicken is marinating, prep your vegetables and toppings. In a separate bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients until smooth (use cold water for the cornstarch to dissolve properly).
- Heat a large pan or wok over high heat. Add the oil and let it get very hot. Fry the chicken in batches if needed—don’t overcrowd the pan. Just get some caramelized color on the outside; no need to cook it through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Add a bit more oil if needed. Add the mushrooms and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add the onion and cook for another 2–3 minutes until softened. Toss in the garlic and fry for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the sauce and let it simmer for about 30 seconds—it will thicken quickly. Return the chicken to the pan and cook for another 2 minutes until everything is coated and heated through.
- Serve hot over rice or toss in your favorite noodles. Top with chili slices, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon or lime.
Ready to make your weeknights even better?
This chicken mushroom stir-fry is quick, easy, and packed with flavor that’ll leave everyone asking for seconds. Let me know how it turns out, and feel free to get creative with your own twist on this dish. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
And if you’re looking for more simple, delicious recipes, I’ve got you covered.
Enjoy, and happy cooking!
