Moo Shu Chicken with Pancakes is a tasty Chinese dish. It has tender chicken, shredded veggies, and a sweet-savory sauce. All these are wrapped in thin, chewy Mandarin pancakes.
This dish mixes the flavors of Moo Shu Chicken with a wrap-style meal. It’s a satisfying and flavorful dish that many love in the United States.
Moo Shu Chicken with Pancakes is a classic in Chinese-American cuisine. It has a rich history and diverse flavors. It’s a dish that everyone should try for a delightful meal.
The Origins of Moo Shu Chicken
Moo Shu Chicken, also known as Moo Shu Pork, comes from northern China. It started in Shandong province. The original recipe used pork, cabbage, mushrooms, and a sweet-savory sauce.
It included dried ingredients like wood ear mushrooms and lily flowers. These add unique flavors and textures to the dish.
Traditional Moo Shu Chicken Recipe
The traditional recipe for Moo Shu Chicken is unchanged. The chicken is cut into thin strips. It’s then stir-fried with fresh veggies like cabbage, carrots, and scallions.
The mix is seasoned with soy sauce, rice cooking wine, ginger, and garlic. This creates a perfect balance of Chinese flavors.
| Ingredient | Traditional Chinese Moo Shu Pork | American-style Moo Shu Chicken |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Pork | Chicken |
| Vegetables | Cabbage, wood ear mushrooms, lily flowers | Cabbage, carrots, scallions |
| Seasonings | Soy sauce, rice cooking wine, ginger, garlic | Soy sauce, rice cooking wine, ginger, garlic |
| Serving | Served with Mandarin pancakes | Served with Mandarin pancakes or flour tortillas |
The dish is served in thin Mandarin pancakes. This lets the flavors blend perfectly. Moo Shu Chicken is a favorite in Chinese restaurants worldwide. It shows the rich culinary heritage of this dish.
The Americanized Version
The American version of moo shu chicken is different from the traditional Chinese dish. It often uses chicken instead of pork. The ingredients like mushrooms and bamboo shoots are fresh, not dried. The sauce is sweeter, making it more appealing to Americans.
In the 1960s, this dish included meat, scallions, and eggs in a pancake. Now, it has mushrooms and cabbage, with tortillas for easier making.
This version is full of flavor and easy to make. It serves 6-8 people. Prep takes 5 minutes, and cooking is 20 minutes. It’s easy to do.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts | 1 pound |
| Hoisin sauce | 1/3 cup |
| Soy sauce | 3 tablespoons |
| Sesame oil | 1 to 2 tablespoons |
| Fresh chopped ginger | 3 tablespoons |
| Fresh chopped garlic | 1 tablespoon |
| Red pepper | 1 |
| Yellow onion, thinly sliced | 1/2 |
| Green and/or napa cabbage | 1/2 medium head |
| Purple cabbage, shredded | 1/2 medium head |
| Julienned carrots | 1/2 cup |
| Sliced button mushrooms | 1 cup |
| Shaved bamboo shoots | 1/4 cup |
| Eggs, beaten | 4 |
| Scallions, finely sliced | 4 or so |
| Flour tortillas | As needed |
The sauce for Simple Moo Shu Chicken includes hoisin sauce and soy sauce. It also has rice wine vinegar, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. The dish is made by marinating chicken, cooking it and eggs, then mixing everything with sautéed cabbage and mushrooms. It’s served over warm tortillas.
“The Americanized moo shu chicken has a ton of flavor, a nice bite with the cabbage, and is simple to prepare.”
What is Moo Shu Chicken With Pancakes?
Moo Shu Chicken with Pancakes is a unique dish. It mixes traditional moo shu chicken with Chinese-American cuisine. Instead of rice, it’s served in thin, chewy Mandarin pancakes.
This dish is easy to eat as a handheld meal. It combines the flavors of moo shu chicken with the convenience of a wrap. It’s a favorite for those who love a modern twist on a classic.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken | 41g of protein per serving |
| Shiitake Mushrooms | Included in the recipe |
| Cabbage | Included in the recipe |
| Ginger | Included in the recipe |
| Soy Sauce | Included in the sauce |
| Hoisin Sauce | Included in the sauce |
| Sesame Oil | Included in the sauce |
| Honey | Included in the sauce |
| Cornstarch | Included in the sauce |
| Salt and Pepper | Included in the recipe |
The dish keeps well in the fridge for up to three days. It’s perfect for meal prep. With its mix of savory, sweet, and umami flavors, moo shu chicken with pancakes is a delicious and hybrid dish. It celebrates the best of Chinese-American cuisine and traditional moo shu chicken.
Key Ingredients and Flavors
The moo shu chicken filling and mandarin pancakes are the heart of this Chinese dish. Let’s dive into the key ingredients and flavors that make moo shu chicken with pancakes a joy to eat.
Moo Shu Chicken Filling
The moo shu chicken filling is a mix of thinly sliced chicken, shredded napa cabbage, and dried mushrooms. Bamboo shoots add to the mix. This all is smothered in a sweet and savory sauce. The sauce is made with hoisin, soy sauce, and sesame oil, bringing out the umami in every bite.
Mandarin Pancakes
The mandarin pancakes are the perfect match for the chicken filling. They are thin, chewy, and lightly flavored. Made with flour, boiling water, kosher salt, and sesame oil, they’re quick to make. In under 10 minutes, you can have 16 pancakes ready to enjoy.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to moo shu chicken, the ingredients and flavors will impress you. They leave a lasting taste on your palate.
Serving and Eating Moo Shu Chicken
Moo Shu Chicken with Pancakes is served with warm pancakes and extra hoisin sauce on the side. You can fill the center of a pancake with the chicken and vegetable mix. Then, fold it over for a tasty wrap-style meal.
The dish combines tender chicken, crunchy veggies, and a sweet-savory sauce in a soft pancake. It’s a delightful and satisfying meal.
To serve, lay out warm Mandarin pancakes on a platter. Place the Moo Shu Chicken filling in a separate dish. Let guests make their wraps by adding the chicken mix to a pancake and folding it.
Offer more hoisin sauce for extra flavor.
| Nutrition Facts | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 667 |
| Total Fat | 23g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 15g |
| Cholesterol | 109mg |
| Sodium | 178mg |
| Carbohydrates | 75g |
| Fiber | 7g |
| Sugar | 8g |
| Protein | 39g |
The recipe makes 6 servings of Moo Shu Chicken and sauce. Each serving has about 315 calories. It’s a balanced meal with 31g of carbs, 35g of protein, and 5g of fat.
But, it’s high in sodium with 928mg per serving. It also has 24g of sugar.
When serving moo shu chicken, offer warm pancakes and extra hoisin sauce. Then, you can make your wrap-style meal. Just fill the pancake with the chicken and veggie mix and fold it over.
Conclusion
Moo Shu Chicken with Pancakes is a tasty mix of Chinese moo shu chicken and Chinese-American cuisine. It serves the chicken and veggie filling in soft, chewy Mandarin pancakes. This hybrid dish brings together the signature flavors of moo shu in a unique way.
If you love Chinese food or just want something comforting, try Moo Shu Chicken with Pancakes. The dish combines tender chicken, fragrant veggies, and soft pancake wraps. It’s a perfect blend of textures and tastes that will make your mouth happy.
Start your Moo Shu Chicken with Pancakes adventure and get creative. Try different proteins or make your hoisin sauce. The possibilities are endless for making this dish your own. Let your imagination run wild and enjoy every bite of this amazing moo shu chicken experience.