If you're a fan of the blend of sweet and savory flavors, Panda Express honey sesame chicken might be one of your go-to orders. The pieces of fried chicken coated in a sticky honey sesame sauce create a delicious taste that's hard to resist! In this blog post, I will introduce how to recreate this popular dish with a copycat version and much more; read on!
Jump To
What is Panda Express honey sesame chicken?
Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is a popular dish served at Panda Express in the United States. It typically consists of bite-sized pieces of chicken that are breaded and deep-fried until crispy. The sauce is a key component, offering a perfect balance of sweetness from honey and a subtle nuttiness from sesame. The chicken is tossed in this flavorful sauce and then garnished with sesame seeds for an additional burst of sesame flavor.
For anyone who is not familiar with Panda Express, it is a well-known American-Chinese fast-food restaurant chain. Honey Sesame Chicken has gained significant popularity at Panda Express and is often considered one of the signature dishes on the Panda Express menu. This dish made it a staple for those craving a tasty and satisfying fast-food experience with a touch of Asian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken breast: I used skinless, boneless chicken breasts. You can also substitute white chicken meat with skinless, boneless chicken thighs.
Cornstarch, baking soda: Cornstarch and baking soda are commonly used when frying chicken to achieve a desirable texture and crispiness.
Yellow pepper and green beans: Yellow and green bring vibrant colors to the dish. They are typical vegetables that Panda Express adds to honey sesame chicken.
Roasted sesame seeds: for garnish.
Oil: for deep fry.
Salt and pepper: to taste
Panda Express honey sesame sauce
Sweet chili sauce: Sweet chili sauce has a unique blend of sweet and spicy flavors. Additionally, it has a thick and slightly sticky consistency to help the sauce adhere better to the chicken.
Honey: This sweet ingredient is a signature characteristic of honey sesame chicken; the sweetness of the honey adds a natural sweetness to the sauce.
Water: Water is used to dilute all the sauce ingredients.
White vinegar and lemon juice: These two ingredients add a tangy and slightly acidic flavor to the sauce. This tanginess helps cut through the richness of the honey, providing balance and preventing the dish from being overly sweet. You can also use rice vinegar and lemon juice.
Light soy sauce: It adds umami and richness to the sauce.
Cornstarch: I use a little bit of cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
Pinch of salt: to taste.
Step-by-step cooking instructions
Gather all the ingredients and cut the chicken breast into bite-size cubes. Wash and trim the green beans. Slice the yellow bell peppers into thin strips.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, baking soda, salt, and black pepper to create the flour mixture. Add chicken pieces into the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
In a large skillet or a wok, heat cooking oil over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and crispy, using paper towels to drain excess oil.
In a separate pan, stir fry the yellow pepper and green bean pieces until they are slightly tender but still crisp, about 4 minutes. (For a slightly softer texture, you can blanch the green beans in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. If blanched, they will cook a bit faster. This step is optional)
In a mixing bowl, mix sweet chili sauce, honey, water, white vinegar, lemon juice, light soy sauce, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Mix until there is you don't see any clumps.
Heat the sauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Toss the cooked chicken pieces in the honey sesame sauce on medium heat, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. Fold in the stir-fried yellow pepper and green bean.
Sprinkle roasted sesame seeds over the finished dish. Enjoy!
Serving suggestions
When serving Panda Express honey sesame chicken, here are some suggestions for you to try:
Steamed white rice: Serve the honey sesame chicken over a bed of steamed white rice. The plain rice is an Asian staple, providing a perfect base to absorb the delicious sauce.
Fried rice: Fried rice is a flavorful alternative to plain steamed rice. The combination of the savory chicken and sweet sesame sauce pairs well with the complexity of fried rice.
Noodles: Serve the honey sesame chicken with Asian-style noodles, such as chow mein or lo mein. The noodles can absorb the sauce, providing an additional layer of flavor.
Remember to serve the dish immediately with these sides after tossing the chicken in the sauce to maintain the crispiness of the chicken pieces.
Healthier alternatives
To create a healthier version of Panda Express honey sesame chicken, there are some options for reducing calories or using different cooking methods:
Different cooking methods: You can bake the chicken instead of deep-frying to reduce the amount of oil used in the cooking process. Remember to coat the chicken with a light layer of cooking spray to add some crispiness. You can also use an air fryer to cook your honey sesame chicken. Spray the coated chicken pieces lightly with cooking spray, then cook them in the air fryer for about 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time. Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a bowl. Pour the honey sesame sauce over the chicken and toss until each piece is coated evenly.
Reduced honey substitute: Choose a honey substitute with reduced sugar or use a blend of honey and a natural sweetener like stevia to reduce overall sugar content.
Low-sodium soy sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce is a great option to reduce the dish's sodium content.
Brown rice or quinoa: Substitute white rice with brown rice or quinoa for additional fiber and nutrients. These whole grains provide a healthier base for the dish.
With these healthier alternatives I mentioned above, you can enjoy a lighter version of Panda Express honey sesame chicken without sacrificing flavor.
Storing and reheating Panda Express honey sesame chicken
You can transfer the leftover Honey Sesame Chicken into an airtight container. Serve the refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days for optimal taste and quality. I found the best way to reheat honey sesame chicken is by using the microwave on medium heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the chicken is heated. If you reheat your leftovers by air fryer, the chicken may turn out a bit dry, and you can lightly spray it with cooking spray on the pieces before reheating to help restore moisture.
Final thoughts
With this copycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken recipe, you can bring the flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout into your kitchen! This crispy, golden-brown chicken, combined with the sweet and tangy sauce, creates a dish perfect for a cozy night with the family. Give this delicious Panda Express classic a try in the comfort of your home, and I promise it will be your new favorite Chinese dish. 🙂
Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe (Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- oil for frying
- 1 whole yellow pepper
- 1 cup green beans
- sesame seeds
- salt and pepper to taste
Panda Express honey sesame sauce:
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 4 tablespoons honey
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients and cut the chicken breast into bite-size cubes. Wash and trim the green beans. Slice the yellow bell peppers into thin strips.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, baking soda, salt, and black pepper to create the flour mixture. Add chicken pieces into the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
- In a large skillet or a wok, heat cooking oil over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and crispy, using paper towels to drain excess oil.
- In a separate pan, stir fry the yellow pepper and green bean pieces until they are slightly tender but still crisp, about 4 minutes. (For a slightly softer texture, you can blanch the green beans in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. If blanched, they will cook a bit faster. This step is optional)
- In a mixing bowl, mix sweet chili sauce, honey, water, white vinegar, lemon juice, light soy sauce, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Mix until there is you don't see any clumps.
- Heat the sauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Toss the cooked chicken pieces in the honey sesame sauce on medium heat, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. Fold in the stir-fried yellow pepper and green bean.
- Sprinkle roasted sesame seeds over the finished dish. Enjoy!
Gloria says
Copycat recipes are great. Most times they are better than getting the actual takeout, and saves you so much money. This chicken recipe is perfect for dinner tonight.
Marta says
This is definitely NOT a copycat panda express recipe because I've never had honey sesame chicken from there that tasted as good as yours. I would definitely opt to make this recipe over going out for theirs.
Bernice says
This honey sesame chicken was so easy to make and my family adored it! Dinner was done in minutes with no complaints!! This recipe is a keeper.
Elaine says
This is one of the best copycat recipes I've ever had. Everyone loved it and I'm sure I'll be making it again and again.
Leslie says
This is the perfect copycat recipe! All the flavors are there and it's easy to make! Love it!
Lauren Michael Harris says
Honey sesame chicken is always a go to for my family when we eat out, but how awesome it is to have delicious copycat recipes to make at home that taste just as good and are very likely better for you too! This is a great recipe!
Jacqueline Debono says
I love this honey sesame chicken recipe. We don't have Panda Express where I live but this is the kind of dish I normally order if we go out for Chinese. However, this version is absolutely delicious and so easy to make! Better than what we get a Chinese restaurants!
Kathryn says
This honey sesame chicken was delicious and SO much better than the restaurants! Thanks so much!
sean says
I stopped eating Panda Express because it was so salty and this was so enjoyable.
Ramona says
This recipe looks to die for, all the flavours sound and look amazing. Thank you for sharing this recipe I can’t wait to make it!
Rudge Butterworth says
Thank you thoroughly enjoyed this recipe.