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.

The Best Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express Copycat (GF)

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

Scale

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

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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