Craving the bold flavors of Panda Express but don’t want to leave the comfort of your home? Get ready to whip up a delightful dish of Instant Pot Panda Express Chow Mein that’s not only quick and easy but also bursting with savory goodness! In just 25 minutes, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal that serves four, making it perfect for family dinners or impressing guests. With tender chow mein noodles, vibrant mixed vegetables, and succulent chicken, this recipe is sure to become a weeknight favorite. Dive into this culinary adventure and discover how simple it is to recreate your takeout favorites in your very own kitchen!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz chow mein noodles
- 2 cups mixed vegetables
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 lb cooked chicken, sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing and chopping vegetables, slicing green onions, and ensuring chicken is pre-cooked and sliced.
- Pour sesame oil into the Instant Pot inner liner and select the Sauté function. Allow the oil to heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Add mixed vegetables to the Instant Pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften slightly.
- Add chow mein noodles to the pot, carefully spreading them evenly across the vegetables.
- Pour soy sauce and oyster sauce over the noodles, ensuring even distribution.
- Gently layer the pre-cooked sliced chicken on top of the noodles.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on Manual/Pressure Cook mode for 3-4 minutes.
- Once cooking completes, perform a quick release of pressure.
- Open the lid and gently toss the noodles, vegetables, and chicken to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Garnish with freshly sliced green onions before serving hot.
Tips
- Prep Ahead: To save time, chop your vegetables and slice the chicken in advance. This will make the cooking process much smoother and quicker when you’re ready to start.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, opt for fresh mixed vegetables. You can use a combination of bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas for added color and crunch.
- Adjust the Sauces: Feel free to tweak the amount of soy sauce and oyster sauce to suit your taste. If you prefer a sweeter chow mein, add a dash of sugar or a splash of hoisin sauce.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure not to overcrowd the Instant Pot with ingredients. If you’re doubling the recipe, consider cooking in batches to ensure everything cooks evenly.
- Garnish Generously: Don’t skip the green onions! They add a fresh crunch and vibrant color to your dish, enhancing both the presentation and flavor.
- Experiment with Proteins: While this recipe calls for chicken, you can easily substitute it with shrimp, beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Serve Immediately: Chow mein is best enjoyed fresh and hot. Serve it right after cooking for the best texture and flavor!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 202kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 30mg
