Moo Shu Chicken
Moo Shu Chicken is a popular Northern Chinese stir-fry dish consisting of sliced chicken, wood ear mushrooms, scrambled eggs, and vegetables like cabbage or scallions, all tossed in a savory, slightly sweet sauce. It is traditionally served with thin Mandarin pancakes (Moo Shu pancakes) and a spread of hoisin sauce, allowing diners to wrap the filling themselves. The dish is a staple of American-Chinese cuisine, though its roots lie in the traditional cooking of Northern China.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Moo Shu Chicken is a high-protein dish, thanks to the chicken and eggs, and is generally moderate in fat, especially if prepared with a light hand on oil. A typical serving (including pancakes and sauce) ranges from 350 to 500 calories, with the pancakes contributing most of the carbohydrates. It also provides fiber and iron from the wood ear mushrooms and cabbage.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbs | 18 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Vitamin K | 45 mcg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Calcium | 80 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The name "Moo Shu" (or "Mùxū") translates to "wooden whisker" in Chinese, a poetic reference to the thin, shredded appearance of the vegetables in the dish. Nutritionally, wood ear mushrooms are a standout ingredient, as they are known for their high fiber content and are traditionally valued in Chinese medicine for promoting circulation and digestion.
