Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines crispy chicken strips with a sweet and tangy sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it pairs well with rice or steamed vegetables for a satisfying meal.

The dish shows several pieces of golden brown fried chicken coated in a shiny orange glaze, piled on a white plate. Mixed in are vibrant green chili peppers and bright yellow bell pepper strips, adding color contrast. The chicken pieces have a crunchy texture, and the glaze gives a sticky look. White sesame seeds are scattered over the top, adding small white dots and texture. The plate sits on a white marbled textured surface, with a soft gray and white striped cloth partially visible below. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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, then add salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix well to combine.
  2. Step 2: In another bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking soda, and cornstarch to prepare the coating mixture.
  3. Step 3: Dip the chicken strips into the beaten egg mixture.
  4. Step 4: Coat the chicken strips thoroughly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
  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.
  6. Step 6: Remove the fried chicken with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain 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.
  8. Step 8: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, water, and cornstarch. Stir constantly and bring to a gentle boil until the sauce thickens and is smooth.
  9. Step 9: Add the fried chicken and sautéed vegetables to the saucepan with the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly and warm through for 2-3 minutes.
  10. Step 10: Transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle with white sesame seeds, and enjoy your flavorful honey sesame chicken.

Tips & Variations

  • Use gluten-free all-purpose flour to keep this recipe suitable for gluten sensitivities without sacrificing crispiness.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce to make the dish milder or spicier according to your preference.
  • For extra crunch, double-dip the chicken strips in egg and flour mixture before frying.
  • Serve with steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to retain crispiness, or microwave for 1-2 minutes if preferred. Avoid storing the chicken in the sauce to keep the coating from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with crispy golden brown fried chicken pieces coated in a shiny, sticky orange sauce sits on a white marbled surface. Mixed in are bright yellow bell pepper strips and glossy green chili peppers scattered throughout. White sesame seeds are sprinkled on top, adding small pops of white color against the warm tones. The bowl rests on a striped cloth napkin with a fork placed nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of gluten-free flour?

Yes, you can substitute regular all-purpose flour if gluten is not a concern. The texture and flavor will be similar, but the dish will not be gluten-free.

How do I know when the oil is hot enough for frying?

The oil should be around 350°F (175°C) for perfect frying. You can test by dropping a small bit of the flour mixture into the oil; it should sizzle and rise to the surface quickly. Using a kitchen thermometer ensures accuracy.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe


  • Author: lilan
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken copycat recipe features crispy chicken strips coated in a gluten-free flour mixture, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a sweet and tangy honey sesame sauce with sautéed vegetables. Perfectly balanced flavors and textures make it an irresistible dish to enjoy with rice or on its own.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 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 (for coating)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 chicken fillets, cut into strips (about 1012 oz)
  • Vegetable oil for frying (enough to fill 1 to 1 1/2 inches in skillet)

Vegetables

  • 1 yellow bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, sliced into thin strips
  • 2/3 cup green beans, cut into 12 inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing veggies)

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 sauce thickening)
  • 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Beat Egg, Salt, Pepper, and Olive Oil: In a bowl, beat one egg and add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix well until fully combined.
  2. Prepare Flour Coating: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2/3 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda until evenly mixed.
  3. Dip Chicken in Egg Mixture: Take the cut chicken strips and dip them thoroughly into the beaten egg mixture, ensuring each strip is coated evenly.
  4. Coat Chicken Strips in Flour Mixture: Roll the egg-coated chicken strips in the flour mixture, making sure each piece is completely covered. Shake off any excess flour.
  5. Fry Chicken Strips: Heat vegetable oil in a medium skillet until it reaches approximately 350°F (175°C), filling the pan with 1 to 1 1/2 inches of oil. Fry the coated chicken strips in batches for 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
  6. Drain Fried Chicken: Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken strips from the hot oil and place them on paper towels or napkins to absorb excess oil.
  7. Sauté Vegetables: In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced yellow bell pepper and green beans and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly tender but still crisp.
  8. Prepare Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 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, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Bring to a gentle boil while whisking continuously until the sauce thickens and no lumps remain.
  9. Combine Chicken and Veggies with Sauce: Add the fried chicken strips and sautéed vegetables into the saucepan with the thickened sauce. Mix thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly. Warm together for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Transfer the honey sesame chicken onto a serving plate and sprinkle 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds over the top. Serve hot, ideally with steamed rice or enjoy as is.

Notes

  • Ensure the oil temperature is around 350°F to guarantee crispy chicken without absorbing excess oil.
  • You can substitute green beans with snap peas or broccoli for variety.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the recipe to control the spiciness of the sauce.
  • Using gluten-free flour and cornstarch makes this recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • For extra crunch, double coat the chicken by dipping again in egg and flour mixture before frying.
  • Make sure to whisk the sauce continuously while boiling to avoid lumps from cornstarch.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American Chinese

Keywords: Honey Sesame Chicken, Panda Express Copycat, Gluten-Free Chicken, Fried Chicken Strips, Sweet and Spicy Sauce

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating