Chicken Shimeji Mushroom Stir Fry

This Chicken Shimeji Mushroom Stir Fry is an easy and flavorful dinner made with tender marinated chicken, savory shimeji mushrooms, garlic, green onions, and a simple soy and oyster sauce mixture.

Jump to:

• What Are Shimeji Mushrooms?
• Ingredients
• How to Make Chicken Shimeji Mushroom Stir Fry
• What to Serve With Chicken Shimeji Mushroom Stir Fry
• How to Store Leftovers
• How to Reheat
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Chicken Shimeji Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe
• Delicious Mushroom Recipes
• Pin for later!

Shimeji mushrooms, also known as beech mushrooms, have a mild savory flavor and a slightly firm, pleasantly chewy texture that works so well in stir fries. They soak up the sauce without becoming too soft, making them perfect with juicy chicken and rice!

This dish also comes together pretty quickly, making it a great option for a weeknight meal.

What Are Shimeji Mushrooms?

Shimeji mushrooms are a type of Japanese mushroom that grow in clusters with long stems and small caps. You may also see them labeled as beech mushrooms at Asian grocery stores.

There are both brown and white varieties, and either one works for this recipe.

Raw shimeji mushrooms can have a slightly bitter flavor, but once cooked they become mild, savory, and a little nutty.

To prepare them, simply trim off the connected base at the bottom and separate the mushrooms into smaller clusters or individual mushrooms.

Ingredients

For this Chicken Shimeji Mushroom Stir Fry, you will need:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, sliced into bite-size pieces
• 1 package shimeji mushrooms, about 5-7 oz
• 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

Chicken Marinade

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper

Stir Fry Sauce

• 1½ tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil

How to Make Chicken Shimeji Mushroom Stir Fry

First, add chicken to a bowl along with soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, and white pepper.

Mix everything together well and allow the chicken to marinate for about 10-15 minutes.

While the chicken is marinating, prepare the shimeji mushrooms. Cut off the tough base of the mushroom cluster and separate the mushrooms.

Heat cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Add the garlic and stir fry briefly until fragrant.

Add the marinated chicken and stir fry until the chicken is mostly browned and almost cooked through.

Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

Add the shimeji mushrooms to the same pan. Stir fry for about 2-3 minutes, or until they begin to soften.

Return the chicken to the pan.

Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, water, and sesame oil. Stir everything together until the chicken and mushrooms are well coated in the sauce.

Add the chopped green onions.

Continue stir frying until the chicken is completely cooked through and the mushrooms are tender.

Remove from heat and serve!

What to Serve With Chicken Shimeji Mushroom Stir Fry

I usually serve this with a bowl of hot steamed rice so the rice can soak up all that savory sauce.

You could also serve it with:

• Fried rice
• Noodles
• Stir fried vegetables
• Bok choy
• Chinese broccoli
• Cucumber salad

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover Chicken Shimeji Mushroom Stir Fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Let the stir fry cool before transferring it to a container. I recommend storing the rice separately so it doesn't soak up all of the sauce.

How to Reheat

You can reheat the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until warmed through.

If the sauce has thickened too much in the refrigerator, add a small splash of water while reheating.

You can also microwave individual portions until heated through. I usually microwave it in short intervals and stir in between so the chicken heats evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Need to Wash Shimeji Mushrooms?

Shimeji mushrooms usually don't need much cleaning. Trim off the connected base and gently brush or wipe away any dirt.

If you do rinse them, rinse them quickly and pat them dry before cooking. Avoid soaking mushrooms in water because they can absorb moisture.

Can I Use White or Brown Shimeji Mushrooms?

Yes! Both white and brown shimeji mushrooms work well in this stir fry.

They have a similar texture, although the brown variety can have a slightly stronger, nuttier flavor.

Can I Use Chicken Breast Instead of Chicken Thighs?

Yes. Chicken breast works well too.

I prefer chicken thighs because they stay tender and juicy during stir frying, but sliced chicken breast is a good substitute. Just be careful not to overcook it.

Can I Use a Different Type of Mushroom?

Yes! If you can't find shimeji mushrooms, you can substitute shiitake, oyster, king oyster, cremini, or button mushrooms.

Keep in mind that each mushroom will have a slightly different texture and flavor.

Why Do You Remove the Chicken Before Cooking the Mushrooms?

Removing the chicken once it is mostly browned helps prevent it from overcooking while the mushrooms cook.

Once the shimeji mushrooms begin to soften, the chicken goes back into the pan with the sauce to finish cooking.

Can I Make This Stir Fry Ahead of Time?

You can prepare some of the ingredients ahead of time.

The chicken can be sliced and marinated in advance, and the mushrooms, garlic, and green onions can also be prepped and refrigerated separately.

For the best texture, I recommend cooking the stir fry shortly before serving.

What Do Shimeji Mushrooms Taste Like?

Shimeji mushrooms have a mild, savory flavor with a slightly nutty taste once cooked.

They also have a pleasantly firm and slightly chewy texture, which makes them great for stir fries.

Can You Eat Shimeji Mushrooms Raw?

Shimeji mushrooms are best eaten cooked. Raw shimeji mushrooms can taste bitter, but cooking brings out their mild, savory flavor and improves their texture.

Delicious Mushroom Recipes

• Bok Choy Beech Mushrooms Stir Fry - A quick stir fry made with tender bok choy, beech mushrooms, and garlic.
• Shiitake Mushrooms Stir Fry with Peppers - Savory shiitake mushrooms stir fried with colorful peppers for an easy veggie dish.
• Beef Oyster Mushroom Stir Fry - Tender beef and oyster mushrooms come together in an easy savory stir fry.
• Beef Enoki Mushroom Stir Fry - A quick beef stir fry with enoki mushrooms, garlic, ginger, and green onions.

You can also check out my guide to Different Types of Mushrooms and Recipes for even more mushroom ideas.

Pin for later!