Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is a mouthwatering dish that features crispy breaded chicken all tossed in a delectable sweet and tangy sauce. With just the right combination of honey, and other flavorful ingredients, this copycat recipe captures the essence of the iconic Panda Express dish. Whether you’re a fan of Asian cuisine or simply enjoy a good chicken recipe, this Honey Sesame Chicken is sure to become a favorite.

What you’ll love about Honey Sesame Chicken:

KID FRIENDLY – Honey Sesame Chicken is a dish that appeals to both kids and adults. Its sweet and savory flavors are sure to be a hit with the little ones, making it a great option for family meals.
HEALTHY – By making Honey Sesame Chicken at home, you have control over the ingredients used and the cooking methods. You can choose to bake or stir-fry the chicken instead of deep-frying it, reducing the amount of oil and calories in the dish.
INEXPENSIVE – Ordering takeout or dining at a restaurant can quickly add up, especially if you have a large family or enjoy this dish frequently. Making Honey Sesame Chicken at home allows you to save money by using affordable ingredients and avoiding additional service charges.
CUSTOMIZABLE: When preparing Honey Sesame Chicken at home, you can tailor the recipe to suit your preferences and dietary needs. You can adjust the level of sweetness, and spice, or even make it gluten-free by using alternative ingredients.
FRESH INGREDIENTS– Cooking at home allows you to use fresh and high-quality ingredients. You can choose organic chicken, locally sourced honey, and other fresh ingredients to ensure a delicious and nutritious meal.

Be sure to check out the full Printable recipe and ingredient list below

Just a few ingredients

For the chicken:

1.5 Pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs, Cut Into Bite-Sized Pieces
2 Tablespoons Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
1 Teaspoon White Pepper
1 Tablespoons Cornstarch
3 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
Vegetable Oil, for frying
Green Onion, for garnish
Sesame Seeds for Garnish

For the batter:

1 Cup All-purpose Flour
¼ Cup Cornstarch
1 Egg
½-¾ Cup Water
½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
¼ Teaspoon Baking Soda

For the honey sauce:

½ Cup Honey
2 Tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup

Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, white pepper, Sesame Oil, and cornstarch. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours for more flavor.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, egg, water, baking powder, and baking soda until you have a smooth batter. Start with ½ cup water, if the batter is too thick, add 1 tablespoon more at a time until the proper consistency is achieved.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C).

Dip each marinated chicken thigh into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off, and carefully place it into the hot oil. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

In a small saucepan, combine the honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and corn syrup. Heat the sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a simmer and thickens slightly about 3-4 minutes.
Toss the crispy fried chicken thighs in the honey sauce until they are evenly coated.

Serve the honey sesame chicken hot over crispy rice noodles or white rice, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

panda-express-honey-sesame-chicken-in-pan.

Tips & Tricks

Marinating the chicken thighs helps to infuse them with flavor. You can marinate them for a minimum of 30 minutes, but for more pronounced flavor, refrigerate them for up to 4 hours.
When preparing the batter, adjust the water quantity as needed to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. The batter should lightly coat the chicken pieces.
Use caution when working with hot oil and frying the chicken. Ensure the oil is at the correct temperature and fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
The honey sauce can be adjusted to your taste preference. Add more honey for extra sweetness or increase the amount of soy sauce for a saltier flavor.
Batch cooking: Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
Cutting the chicken: Cut the chicken into small, equal-sized pieces (around 2 inches) for even cooking and better presentation.

FAQs about Honey Sesame Chicken

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken in the oven or on the stovetop for a few minutes until warmed through before serving.

Yes! You can make a gluten-free version of Honey Sesame Chicken by using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and ensuring that all other ingredients, such as cornstarch, are certified gluten-free.

To maintain crispiness, it’s important not to overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken. Fry the chicken in small batches, ensuring each piece has enough space to cook evenly. Additionally, avoid placing the cooked chicken on a paper towel after frying, as this can trap moisture and make it soggy. Instead, place it on a wire rack to allow excess oil to drip off.

While Honey Sesame Chicken is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the components in advance. Cook the chicken and prepare the sauce separately, then store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the chicken in the oven or on the stovetop, and warm the sauce before tossing them together.

Absolutely! If you prefer a spicier version, you can add a dash of chili flakes, sriracha sauce, or hot sauce to the honey sesame sauce. Adjust the amount according to your desired level of heat.

More Recipes

Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken

Name: Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 Pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs, Cut Into Bite-Sized Pieces; 2 Tablespoons Low-Sodium Soy Sauce; 1 Teaspoon White Pepper; 1 Tablespoons Cornstarch; 3 Tablespoons Sesame Oil; Vegetable Oil, for frying; Green Onion, for garnish; Sesame Seeds for Garnish; 1 Cup All-purpose Flour; ¼ Cup Cornstarch; 1 Egg; ½-¾ Cup Water; ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder; ¼ Teaspoon Baking Soda; ½ Cup Honey; 2 Tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar; 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce; 2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

For the chicken:

1.5 Pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs, Cut Into Bite-Sized Pieces
2 Tablespoons Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
1 Teaspoon White Pepper
1 Tablespoons Cornstarch
3 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
Vegetable Oil, for frying
Green Onion, for garnish
Sesame Seeds for Garnish

For the batter:

1 Cup All-purpose Flour
¼ Cup Cornstarch
1 Egg
½-¾ Cup Water
½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
¼ Teaspoon Baking Soda

For the honey sauce:

½ Cup Honey
2 Tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup

Instructions

In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, white pepper, Sesame Oil, and cornstarch. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours for more flavor.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, egg, water, baking powder, and baking soda until you have a smooth batter. Start with the ½ cup water, if the batter is too thick, add 1 tablespoon more at a time until the proper consistency is achieved.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C).
Dip each marinated chicken thigh into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off, and carefully place it into the hot oil. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
In a small saucepan, combine the honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and corn syrup. Heat the sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a simmer and thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Toss the crispy fried chicken thighs in the honey sauce until they are evenly coated.
Serve the crispy honey chicken hot over crispy rice noodles or white rice, garnish with sliced green onion. Enjoy!

Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken