COPYCAT PANDA EXPRESS HONEY SESAME CHICKEN

Copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is made with tender chicken, coated & fried crispy then covered in a simple, sweet sesame glaze!

Creating this honey sesame chicken recipe is more straightforward than you might expect. With a few key ingredients and simple techniques, home cooks can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without leaving their kitchens. The combination of the crispy chicken and the rich, honey sesame sauce will satisfy both hunger and cravings for something special!

Restaurant quality at home- Panda Express Sesame Chicken

Everybody loves Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken, it is the best. Now you can make this Copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken right at home with just a few simple ingredients! 

Tender chicken fries up in a delicious crispy batter and then gets coated in a sticky, sweet sesame honey glaze, with just a tiny kick of spice from red pepper flakes. Yellow bell pepper and green beans brighten up this dish. Serve this over rice or lo mein and you got yourself the perfect copycat recipe in less time than it takes to hit the drive thru!

Why you’ll love this Easy Chicken & Veggie Recipe

• Quick to Prepare: The simplicity of the ingredients makes it accessible for home cooks. With just a few pantry staples, anyone can achieve restaurant-quality results. It takes minimal time to cook, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
• Customizable: You can adjust the sweetness by reducing the amount of sugar or add vegetables to suit personal preferences. Pair it with rice or noodles for a complete meal.
• Family-Friendly: This recipe offers a delightful take on a beloved classic. It combines crunchy, tender chicken with a sweet and savory glaze that appeals to many palates. It appeals to both children and adults, promoting shared meals.

Ingredients for Copycat Honey Sesame Chicken

Oil: You will need some light oil for frying the chicken in, depending on the size of your pan will determine how much oil is needed.

Chicken: The base of this dish is 2 pounds of chicken tenderloins, cut into bite size pieces. You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts if you prefer.

Cornstarch: Adding 1 cup of cornstarch to the batter will help the chicken get nice and crispy when fried.

Flour: Use ½ cup of flour for the batter to coat the chicken pieces well.

Egg: Help bind the ingredients to the chicken chunks by adding 1 egg to the batter.

Water: Thin out the mixture with 1 cup of water.

Oil: Using 2 TBSP of oil in the batter will seal in the chicken’s juices and creates a golden, crispy exterior.

Bell peppers: For delicious flavor and a pop of color in this dish, you need 2 yellow bell peppers, sliced.

Green beans: This copycat recipe wouldn’t be complete without 1 cup of frozen green beans.

Honey Sesame Sauce

Red pepper flakes: Add a bit of spice to this dish by using ½ tsp of red pepper flakes. Add more or less depending on how spicy you like it.  

Garlic: For incredible flavor you need 2 TBSP of garlic, minced.

Sugar: Sweeten the sauce perfectly by adding 1 cup of sugar to the mixture.

Water: To thin out the sauce use 1 cup of water.

Honey: You will need ½ cup of honey to give this sauce the signature sweet taste.  

Soy sauce: Balance the flavors in this dish by adding 3 TBSP of soy sauce.

Rice vinegar: 2 tsp of rice vinegar adds a mild, tangy flavor to this sauce.

Cornstarch: Thicken the sauce well by adding 1 TBSP of cornstarch to the mixture.

Water: Use 1 TBSP of cold water to mix the cornstarch in before adding it to the skillet.

Sesame seeds: Garnish the assembled dish with sesame seeds, measure with your heart.

How to make Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken

Prep

Get started by rinsing the chicken breasts, then cutting them into bite sized pieces. Also prep the bell peppers by slicing them into thin strips.

Cook chicken & veggies

Next get some oil heating in a large skillet, over medium heat. 

Then in a large mixing bowl whisk 1 cup of cornstarch, flour, egg, 1 cup water, and 2 tablespoons of oil. Continue to add the chicken pieces to the batter and stir to coat well. 

Now add the chicken to the skillet in batches and fry for 5-6 minutes, until golden brown on all sides.

Remove the chicken and place on a paper towel lined plate. Repeat until all the chicken is cooked. 

In a separate large skillet add the bell peppers and green beans and cook over medium high heat until the bell peppers just start to soften. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Make the Honey Sesame Sauce

Next add the red pepper flakes, minced garlic, water, sugar, honey, soy sauce, and vinegar to a large skillet. Whisk over medium high heat until it comes to a low boil. Then reduce the heat to medium & continue to cook, whisk for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens. 

In a small bowl combine the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water, then whisk into the bubbling sauce. Cook the mixture for another 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened.

Assemble

Proceed to toss the fried chicken pieces and cooked veggies into the sauce, then garnish with sesame seeds. Stir to coat the chicken and veggies well.

Serve the chicken & vegetables over rice or noodles, garnish with scallions if you like, and enjoy!

How long is this sesame honey chicken good for?

Honey Sesame Chicken can typically be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. Properly sealing it in an airtight container helps maintain its freshness during that time.

Can I freeze this chicken & veggie dish?

Yes, this chicken dish freezes well. It is recommended to cool it completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Does Honey Sesame Chicken contain any common allergens?

Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken may contain common allergens such as soy, wheat, and sesame. Always check the specific ingredients and allergen statements for the most accurate information.

Serving Suggestions for Honey Sesame Chicken

Honey Sesame Chicken pairs well with a variety of side dishes and garnishes. Consider these options to create a balanced meal:

• Steamed Rice: Plain or fried rice complements the sweet and savory flavors.
• Vegetable Stir-Fry: A mix of colorful vegetables adds nutrition and texture.
• Noodles: Lo mein or fried noodles offer an alternative to rice.
• For garnishing: Sesame seeds and chopped green onions enhance presentation. They provide a nice crunch and a fresh flavor.
• Appetizer: Spring rolls or egg rolls can set the tone for the meal.

Can I switch up the vegetables in this dish?

Yes, various vegetables can be added or substituted. Common options include zucchini, broccoli, or snap peas to enhance flavor and nutrition.

Which cut of chicken is used in Panda Express Sesame Chicken?

Panda Express typically uses boneless, skinless chicken breast for their Honey Sesame Chicken. This cut is preferred for its tenderness and ability to absorb the dish’s flavor.

Asian-Inspired Chicken Recipes and Family Dinner Favorites:

If you love takeout-inspired chicken recipes, there are so many delicious dinners to try next! Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken is another easy restaurant-inspired meal made with simple ingredients and lots of flavor. Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken and Copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken are both sweet and savory favorites that taste just like takeout. For more flavorful chicken dinners, try Chicken Teriyaki Casserole or Coconut Curry Chicken for easy family meals packed with flavor.

For more family dinner favorites, Best Homemade Chicken Strips and McDonald’s Copycat Chicken Nuggets are two of our most popular chicken recipes and always a hit with kids. Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken has the same sweet and savory flavor combination that makes this recipe so popular, while Zesty Italian Chicken is another easy chicken dinner made with simple ingredients and lots of flavor.

Copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is made with a tender chicken covered in a sweet honey glaze, and topped with sesame seeds. Making this dish is a simple process and the results are a wonderful combination of taste & texture that is sure to be loved by all!