A bowl of Honey Sesame Chicken, based upon Panda Express' recipe.

Honey Sesame Chicken (Panda Express Copycat)

Inspired by Panda Express... this honey sesame chicken recipe is the only recipe you need. We actually went to Panda Express to study the original recipe, and made our copycat recipe as close as we could. It's like the original, but healthier ingredients and without the hefty price tag. Check it out!

Cook Time: 25 Minutes | This recipe serves 4 people.

Ingredients

A bowl of chicken, a bowl of beaten eggs, and a bowl of flour.

For the Chicken:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
Multiple bowls of different sauces used for honey sesame chicken.

For the Honey Sesame Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry

For The Stir Fry:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped into bite-sized pieces 
  • 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces 

For Garnish (optional):

  • sesame seeds
  • sliced green onions

Serve with fluffy white rice, chow mein noodles or steamed broccoli.

Directions

Breaded chicken on a plate.

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the cornstarch and flour. Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, then coat them in the cornstarch-flour mixture. Ensure each piece is well-coated.

The chicken, fried, on a plate.

Step 2

Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (about 350°F), fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the oil and drain on paper towels.

One container of the honey sesame sauce, and one container of the slurry of corn starch and water.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Taste and season to your liking if necessary. In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. 

Step 4

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey sauce mixture and water. Bring to a simmer. Add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan and cook until the sauce thickens about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

A pan of the heated honey sesame chicken sauce, and a pan of sautéed green beans and yellow bell peppers.

Step 5

In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the bell pepper and green beans, and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.

The honey sesame chicken with green beans and yellow peppers.

Step 6

Add the fried chicken pieces to the skillet with the vegetables and pour the sauce over the top. Toss everything together until well-coated and heated through. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Bonus Tips

A bowl of honey sesame chicken (similar to Panda Express' recipe)

- Using the freshest, quality chicken and vegetables will enhance the texture and visual appeal of this dish. 

- Ensure the chicken pieces are evenly coated in the egg and flour mixture. This helps achieve a crispy and golden-brown exterior when frying.

- Keep the oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) for frying. If the oil is too hot, the chicken will burn on the outside before cooking through. If it's too cool, the chicken will absorb more oil and become greasy.

A photo of Panda Express-copycat honey sesame chicken in a bowl.

- Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying the chicken. Fry in small batches to ensure each piece cooks evenly and stays crispy.

- Have the honey sesame sauce ready before cooking the chicken and vegetables. This allows you to quickly toss everything together without overcooking the chicken.

- Ensure the cornstarch slurry is well-mixed to avoid lumps. Add it to the sauce gradually while stirring to achieve the desired thickness.

Leave Your Two Cents Below!

Once you've tried it, make sure to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. We hope that helped! Oh, and if you need some pure honey, make sure to check out our Grade A clover honey.

Shop Now
star
Back to blog