Craving that irresistibly crispy, sweet, and savory chicken from the Panda Express menu? You can now make it at home, and even better, you can make it completely gluten-free.
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This copycat recipe for Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express has it all: unbelievably crispy battered chicken tossed in a rich, glossy honey sesame sauce with tender-crisp vegetables.
It’s a restaurant-quality meal that is surprisingly easy to create in your own kitchen.
A Little Story About This Dish
I’ll admit it—I’ve always had a soft spot for Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken. The combination of that crispy coating and the sweet, savory glaze is just perfection. When I had to go gluten-free, I thought I’d have to say goodbye to it forever.
That inspired a mission: to create a gluten-free version that didn’t just imitate the original but actually improved upon it. I wanted chicken that was even crispier and a sauce that was perfectly balanced.
This honey sesame chicken recipe is the incredible result. It’s so good, you’ll feel like you’re eating at the restaurant, but better.
Get Ready to Cook!
You are about to create the crispiest chicken and the most flavorful glaze for this amazing Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express copycat. Let’s go over the game plan.
What to Expect
Time: About 40 minutes from start to finish.
Difficulty: Medium. Frying chicken requires some attention, but the steps are simple!
Before You Begin
The number one rule for a super crispy coating is the double batter. First a wet dip, then a dry shake. Shaking off the excess dry batter is key to preventing a gummy coating.
For a perfect sauce that’s not too thick or too thin, the cornstarch slurry is your secret weapon. Mix the cornstarch and water together before adding it to the simmering sauce to ensure it dissolves smoothly without any lumps.
Finally, maintaining your oil temperature is crucial for crispy, not greasy, chicken. Heat your oil to 350°F and fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause the temperature to drop. This is the true secret to making the best Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express at home.
The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the components for your incredible homemade Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express.
| Ingredient | Amount |
| For the Chicken & Batter: | |
| Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast | 1.5 pounds, cut into small pieces |
| Large Eggs | 2 |
| Cornstarch | 1 cup |
| Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour | ⅓ cup |
| Salt and Black Pepper | To taste |
| Vegetable Oil | For frying |
| For the Sauce: | |
| Gluten-Free Tamari (or low-sodium soy sauce) | ¼ cup |
| Honey | ¼ cup |
| Ketchup | ¼ cup |
| Rice Vinegar | 3 tablespoons |
| Brown Sugar | 3 tablespoons |
| Red Pepper Flakes | 1 teaspoon |
| Sesame Oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Fresh Garlic, minced | 2 teaspoons |
| Cornstarch | 1 tablespoon |
| Water | 2 tablespoons |
| For the Stir-Fry & Garnish: | |
| Yellow Bell Pepper, thinly sliced | 1 |
| Green Beans, chopped | 1 cup |
| Sesame Oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Toasted Sesame Seeds | 2 tablespoons |
Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to recreate this Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express favorite.
1. Prepare Your Battering Station:
In a large ziplock bag, combine the 1 cup of cornstarch, gluten-free flour, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Shake it well to mix. In a separate bowl, whisk the two eggs with another pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Batter the Chicken:
Place all your chicken pieces into the egg mixture and toss to coat. Working one piece at a time, let any excess egg drip off, then transfer the chicken to the ziplock bag. Once all the chicken is in the bag, seal it and shake vigorously until every piece is evenly coated in the dry batter.
3. Make the Honey Sesame Sauce:
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the tamari, honey, ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a simmer. In a small bowl, whisk the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water together until smooth, then pour this slurry into the simmering sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens into a glaze, then remove from the heat and set aside in a large bowl.
4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
In a separate pan or wok over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Once hot, toss in the sliced bell peppers and green beans. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
5. Fry the Chicken:
Heat a few inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot to 350°F. Carefully add the battered chicken to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan (fry in two batches). Fry for 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the crispy chicken and let it drain on a wire rack.
6. Toss Everything Together:
Add the crispy fried chicken, the stir-fried vegetables, and the toasted sesame seeds to the large bowl with your prepared honey sesame sauce. Toss everything together until it’s beautifully glazed and combined. Serve your homemade Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express immediately with rice or noodles.
Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
A few final tips will ensure your Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express is a triumph.
Extra Crispy Tip: After coating the chicken in the dry batter, let it rest on a wire rack for a few minutes before frying. This helps the coating adhere better, resulting in an even crispier crunch.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The chicken will lose its crispiness upon refrigeration. For best results, reheat in an air fryer or a hot oven to bring some of the crunch back.
If you’re looking for new gluten-free meal ideas, these recipes should help: Sheet Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Veggies, The Best Gluten-Free Lemon Chicken Pasta (Dairy-Free!), The Best Creamy Cashew Cream Cajun Chicken Pasta.
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Here are answers to some common questions about this Panda Express favorite.
1. What is in the honey sesame chicken from Panda Express?
The official Panda Express honey sesame chicken recipe consists of battered and fried chicken pieces, string beans, and yellow bell peppers, all tossed in a sweet and savory sauce made with honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.
2. What is the difference between honey sesame chicken and Orange Chicken?
The main difference lies in the flavor profile of the sauce. Orange Chicken has a distinctly sweet and citrusy sauce made with orange juice, zest, and ginger. Honey Sesame Chicken, on the other hand, has a sauce dominated by the rich sweetness of honey and the nutty, savory flavor of sesame oil.
3. Is honey sesame chicken at Panda Express healthy?
Like most fast-food items that are battered and fried, the Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express is considered an indulgent menu choice, high in calories, sodium, and sugar. Making it at home allows you to control the ingredients, such as using less sugar, healthier oil, and gluten-free components, making it a much healthier option.
Dig In & Enjoy!
You are now ready to recreate one of the most beloved fast-food dishes right in your own kitchen. Enjoy every crispy, sweet, and savory bite of your incredible homemade Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express!
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The Best Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express Copycat (Gluten-Free!)
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
The best homemade Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express copycat, made completely gluten-free! Features extra-crispy battered chicken and tender-crisp vegetables tossed in a rich, glossy, sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. Better than takeout and easy to make at home.
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Batter:
1.5 pounds chicken breast, cut into small pieces
2 large eggs
1 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
Salt and black pepper to taste
Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Sauce:
1/4 cup gluten-free tamari or low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
For the Stir-Fry & Garnish:
1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 cup green beans, chopped
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
1. In a ziplock bag, mix together 1 cup cornstarch, gluten-free flour, salt, and pepper. In a bowl, whisk the eggs with salt and pepper.
2. Add all chicken pieces to the wet egg batter. Transfer chicken, one piece at a time, to the ziplock bag. Seal and shake well until evenly coated.
3. Make the sauce: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add tamari, honey, ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, sesame oil, and garlic. Bring to a simmer. In a small bowl, whisk 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water to make a slurry, then add it to the sauce. Stir until the sauce thickens into a glaze, then remove from heat.
4. In a separate pan over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp sesame oil. Stir-fry the bell peppers and green beans for about 5 minutes until tender-crisp.
5. Heat vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep pan. Fry the chicken in two batches for 5-6 minutes, until golden and crispy. Drain on a wire rack.
6. In a large bowl, toss the fried chicken, stir-fried veggies, and toasted sesame seeds with the prepared honey sesame sauce until everything is coated.
7. Serve immediately.
Notes
Gluten-Free: Ensure you are using a gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free tamari to keep this recipe safe for those with Celiac disease.
Frying Tip: Do not overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken. Frying in batches keeps the oil temperature high and ensures the chicken gets extra crispy.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven to regain some of the crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Frying, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg