Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken

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Craving Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken? You can make this tasty dish at home! This copycat recipe lets you recreate the sweet and savory flavors of the popular restaurant meal in your own kitchen. The crispy chicken pieces are coated in a sticky honey sesame sauce that’s both tangy and sweet.

To make this dish, you’ll fry bite-sized chicken pieces until golden brown. Then you’ll toss them in a homemade sauce with bell peppers and string beans. The sauce combines ingredients like sesame oil, garlic, honey, and soy sauce for that signature taste. Serve it over rice for a quick and delicious meal that rivals the takeout version.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make Panda Express-style honey sesame chicken:

For the sauce:
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water
• 1/4 tsp lemon juice

For the chicken:
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

For assembly:
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 8 oz string beans
• Sesame seeds
• Cooked rice

You’ll also need vegetable oil for frying the chicken. Make sure you have all these ingredients ready before you start cooking. This will help the process go smoothly.

Instructions

To prepare the sauce:

1. Warm the sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat. 
2. Mince the garlic and add it to the hot sesame oil. 
3. Stir in the water, white sugar, and honey. Bring the mixture to a slow simmer while stirring occasionally until the sugar melts.
4. Add the soy sauce, white vinegar, and salt. 
5. Combine the corn starch with a bit of water to create a slurry, and stir it into the saucepan. 
6. Simmer while stirring until the sauce is no longer cloudy and has thickened. 
7. Remove the saucepan from the heat, stir in the fresh lemon juice, cover, and set aside. 

To prep the chicken:

1. Cut up the chicken into 1-inch pieces and reserve for later.
2. Set up a breading station with two wide bowls and a wire rack over a rimmed baking tray.
3. In the first bowl, whisk the egg with salt, ground white pepper, and vegetable oil. 
4. In the second bowl, combine the cornstarch and flour. 
5. Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture with one hand and drop it into the bowl with the flour mixture. Use the other hand to coat the chicken and then shake off any excess. Place on the wire rack and repeat with the remaining chicken. 

To fry the chicken:

1. Put a clean wire rack on a rimmed baking tray and place it near where you will be frying. 
2. Heat the oil to 350°F in an electric deep fryer or on the stove in a heavy-bottom pot. If you are using a pot, make sure to attach a deep-fry thermometer to the edge to ensure you reach the proper frying temperature. 
3. Add a handful of the breaded chicken to the hot oil and cook until golden brown, three to four minutes. 
4. Remove the cooked chicken and place the pieces on the wire rack to drain.
5. Repeat with the remaining breaded chicken. 

To finish the dish:

1. Cut the yellow peppers into chunks and slice the string beans in half on a bias.
2. Place a large skillet or wok over medium heat. 
3. Pour some sesame oil onto the cooking surface and wait until it gets hot. 
4. Add the chopped yellow peppers and stir fry until they soften. 
5. Add the halved string beans and cook until they begin to blister. 
6. Stir in the Honey Sesame Sauce and bring it to a boil. 
7. Toss the cooked chicken with the sauce and veggies. 
8. Serve immediately and garnish with sesame seeds. 

This recipe lets you recreate the popular dish at home. The crispy chicken and sweet-savory sauce are just like the restaurant version. Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili flakes to suit your taste.

Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations

You can tweak this Panda Express copycat recipe in many ways. Here are some tasty options:

Protein swaps:

• Tofu cubes for a vegetarian version
• Shrimp or pork instead of chicken
• Seitan for a plant-based alternative

Veggie variations:

• Broccoli florets instead of string beans
• Snap peas or snow peas as a crunchy substitute
• Carrots for added color and sweetness

Try these sauce adjustments:

• Use brown sugar instead of white for a deeper flavor
• Swap rice vinegar for white vinegar
• Add a splash of orange juice for a citrusy twist

Gluten-free? No problem! Use:

• Tamari instead of soy sauce
• Cornstarch or arrowroot powder to replace all-purpose flour

For a healthier version, you can:

• Bake the chicken instead of frying
• Use less sugar in the sauce
• Serve over cauliflower rice or quinoa

Don’t have sesame oil? Try:

• Peanut oil for a nutty flavor
• Olive oil as a milder option

Feel free to mix and match these ideas to create your perfect honey sesame chicken dish!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the crispiest chicken, make sure your oil is hot enough before frying. Test it by dropping a small piece of batter in – if it sizzles and rises, you’re good to go.

Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Cook the chicken in batches to keep the oil temperature steady. This helps achieve that golden-brown crunch.

Cut your chicken into even-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate. Aim for about 1-inch cubes for best results.

To keep your chicken crispy, serve it right away. If you need to wait, place it on a wire rack instead of a plate to prevent sogginess.

Storing leftovers? Let the dish cool completely before putting it in an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

When reheating, use the oven or air fryer to bring back some crispiness. Microwaving can make the chicken soggy.

For meal prep, you can make the sauce ahead of time. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week. Just reheat it gently before using.