Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken recipe brings a deliciously crispy and sweet dish right to your home kitchen. With tender chicken strips coated in a light gluten-free batter and tossed in a sticky honey sesame sauce, it’s a perfect meal that pairs beautifully with sautéed veggies. Enjoy this flavorful Asian-inspired classic any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2/3 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 chicken fillets, cut into strips (about 10-12 oz)
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, sliced into thin strips
• 2/3 cup green beans, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup gluten-free hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup filtered water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

1. Step 1: Beat the egg in a bowl and add the salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix well to combine.
2. Step 2: In another bowl, whisk together the gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cornstarch.
3. Step 3: Dip the chicken strips into the beaten egg mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.
4. Step 4: Roll the egg-coated chicken strips in the flour mixture until evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour.
5. Step 5: Heat vegetable oil in a medium skillet to about 350°F, filling the pan with 1 to 1 1/2 inches of oil. Fry the chicken strips for 6-7 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Remove the fried chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
7. Step 7: In a separate pan, heat the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the yellow bell pepper strips and green beans for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp.
8. Step 8: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, water, and cornstarch. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and cornstarch lumps dissolve.
9. Step 9: Add the fried chicken and sautéed vegetables to the sauce. Toss well to coat everything in the sticky sauce and warm together for 2-3 minutes.
10. Step 10: Transfer the honey sesame chicken to a serving plate, sprinkle with white sesame seeds, and serve immediately. It’s excellent with steamed rice or on its own.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, double dip the chicken strips by dipping them again in egg and flour mixture before frying.
• You can substitute chicken with tofu or shrimp for a different protein option.
• Adjust the level of heat by using more or less hot sauce according to your taste.
• Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature for perfect frying results without soggy or burnt pieces.

Storage

Store leftover honey sesame chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warm, adding a splash of water to keep the sauce from thickening too much. Avoid storing with rice for best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe uses gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free hot sauce, making it suitable for a gluten-free diet.

What sides pair well with honey sesame chicken?

This dish goes great with steamed white or brown rice, fried rice, or even simple steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.

Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 76 reviews

This copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken recipe features crispy fried chicken strips coated in a sweet and tangy honey sesame sauce, paired with sautéed yellow bell peppers and green beans. The dish is gluten-free and perfect for a flavorful homemade takeout experience.

• Author: Amaya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese-American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Coating

• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for egg mixture)
• 2/3 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch (for coating)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 chicken fillets, cut into strips (about 10–12 oz)
• Vegetable oil for frying

Vegetables

• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, sliced into thin strips
• 2/3 cup green beans, cut into 1–2 inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing)

Sauce

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup gluten-free hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup filtered water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening sauce)

Garnish

• 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Beat Egg, Salt, Pepper and Olive Oil: Beat an egg into a bowl, add salt, ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix well until fully combined to create the egg wash for the chicken.
2. Prepare Flour Coating: In another bowl, whisk together gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cornstarch until evenly mixed. This will be used to coat the chicken strips.
3. Dip Chicken in Egg: Dip each chicken strip into the beaten egg mixture to ensure it is well-coated and ready for the flour mixture.
4. Coat Chicken Strips in Flour Mixture: Roll the egg-coated chicken strips in the flour mixture until fully covered. Shake off any excess flour to avoid clumps.
5. Fry Chicken in Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a medium skillet to about 350°F, pouring enough oil to reach 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep. Fry the coated chicken strips for 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they turn golden brown and crispy.
6. Remove Fried Chicken From Oil: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried chicken strips onto paper towels or napkins to drain any excess oil.
7. Sauté Veggies: In a separate pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced yellow bell pepper and green beans, sautéing for around 5 minutes while stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
8. Prepare Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, gluten-free hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, filtered water, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens and no lumps remain.
9. Mix Ingredients Together: Add the fried chicken strips and sautéed vegetables into the saucepan with the thickened sauce. Stir well to coat everything evenly and warm the mixture for an additional 2-3 minutes.
10. Garnish with Sesame Seeds and Serve: Transfer the honey sesame chicken to a serving plate, sprinkle with white sesame seeds, and enjoy immediately with rice or on its own.

Notes

• Ensure the oil temperature stays around 350°F for crispy, perfectly fried chicken.
• Use gluten-free ingredients to keep the dish safe for gluten-intolerant individuals.
• The sauce should be whisked constantly when heating to prevent lumps from the cornstarch.
• You can substitute the hot sauce with your preferred chili sauce depending on the desired spice level.
• Serve immediately for best texture and flavor, as the coating can soften if left too long.

Keywords: Honey Sesame Chicken, Panda Express Copycat, Gluten-Free Fried Chicken, Sweet and Spicy Chicken, Homemade Chinese Takeout