Honey Sesame Chicken has crispy fried chicken tossed in sweet, tangy honey sauce with stir-fried veggies and sesame seeds. A Panda Express copycat dish that you can make at home with pantry ingredients.
When I think of Honey Sesame Chicken, I think of that sweet, sticky glaze that clings to every crispy bite.
If you've ever stood in line at Panda Express debating between Orange Chicken and Honey Sesame Chicken, you know the struggle. But what if you could make it just as good - if not better - at home?
This Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express Copycat is one of my go-to recipes when I want a takeout-style dinner without waiting on delivery.
It's got juicy strips of fried chicken, sautéed bell peppers and green beans for crunch, and a balanced sauce that's not cloyingly sweet.
You'll taste honey, a hint of tang, and a gentle kick from hot sauce.
If you've never made a battered fried chicken at home, don't stress. I promise you it's straightforward if you follow a few tips, like keeping the oil at the right temp and not overcrowding the pan.
The best part is the sauce comes together in minutes, and you control how spicy or sweet you want it.
I like serving this with steamed jasmine rice, but it's also great in a lettuce wrap or tucked into a soft bun for a fun spin. It's that versatile.
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Why You Should Make This Recipe
Sure, here are some reasons why you might want to try making a copycat version of Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken:
- It's an easy Panda Express copycat.
- You control the sweetness and heat.
- No fancy ingredients or equipment needed.
- It's ready in under 30 minutes.
- Great for meal prep or feeding a family.
- Uses everyday pantry staples.
- Perfect balance of crispy, sticky, and saucy.
- You can adjust the veggies to what you have.
- Leftovers reheat well.
- It's a fun recipe to cook with kids or friends.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts. The star protein. Try thighs if you like darker meat.
- All Purpose Flour. Helps the chicken get a crispy coating.
- Cornstarch. Lightens the batter and makes it extra crisp.
- Egg. Helps the coating stick.
- Honey. Brings the sweetness that balances the heat.
- Hot Sauce. Adds gentle heat; sriracha works well.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. Adds tang to cut the sweetness. Rice vinegar works too.
- Lemon Juice. A bright, fresh note in the sauce.
- Yellow Bell Pepper. Sweet crunch; you can swap in red or orange peppers.
- Green Beans. Add texture and color; snow peas or broccoli are good swaps.
- Sesame Seeds. A nutty finish; use toasted for extra flavor.
- Baking Soda. Helps the batter puff up slightly when fried.
- Oil. Neutral oil for frying like vegetable or canola.
For the honey hot sauce, you'll need:
- Honey - regular clear, runny honey.
- Hot Sauce - I use Franks, but you could use Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - to balance the flavors in the sauce.
- Lemon juice - for more acidity.
- Cornstarch - to thicken the sauce
- Water - To add bulk to the sauce.
See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.
Instructions
If you're wondering how to make this Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express recipe, don't worry, it's easy!
Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Add the 2 tablespoons of oil, egg, salt, and pepper to a bowl and whisk to combine.
In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and cornstarch.
Cut the chicken into strips, then dip each strip in the egg mixture to coat, then the flour mixture to coat.
Set aside on a plate.
Heat 1-inch of oil in a large deep skillet, over medium/high heat. Add the chicken and fry for approximately 4-7 minutes or until golden, then turn each piece with tongs and cook for a further 4 minutes or until golden and cooked through (depending on the size of your pan, you may need to do this in batches, ensure the chicken is no longer pink and reaches 165F with a meat thermometer).
Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
Add a little more oil to a skillet then add the strips of bell pepper and the green beans and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
To make the sauce, add the honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and water to a saucepan over a medium-low heat, whisking, until hot.
Stir the cornstarch into 1 tablespoon of water and whisk it into the sauce, then heat for a further few minutes until thick.
Add the fried chicken, cooked veggies, and sauce to a pan and gently stir to coat it all in the sauce. Heat for a few minutes.
Serve the chicken sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Serving Suggestions
- Over steamed jasmine or basmati rice.
- In lettuce cups for a fresh bite.
- With stir-fried noodles.
- As a sandwich filling in a soft bun.
- Tucked in a warm pita with crunchy slaw.
- Over cauliflower rice for low-carb.
- With pickled veggies on the side.
- Served cold as a salad topping.
- Stuffed into bao buns.
- On a big platter with extra dipping sauce.
What is Panda Express?
Panda Express is a fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in Chinese-American cuisine.
The company was founded in 1983 in Glendale, California, by Andrew Cherng and his father, Ming-Tsai Cherng.
Today, Panda Express is one of the largest Chinese-American fast food chains in the United States, with over 2,200 locations across the country and in several other countries.
Some of their most popular dishes include Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and of course, this Honey Sesame Chicken.
Storage, Freezing, and Make Ahead
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To keep the chicken crispy, reheat in a hot oven or air fryer instead of the microwave.
- You can make the sauce ahead and keep it chilled for up to 5 days.
- I don't recommend freezing the fried chicken because the coating can get soggy, but you can freeze the sauce for later.
Recipe Tips
- Fry in batches so the chicken doesn't steam.
- Use a thermometer to check the oil temp; around 350°F works well.
- Drain fried chicken on a wire rack, not just paper towels.
- Toss the sauce and chicken together just before serving to keep it crisp.
- Whisk the cornstarch slurry well so you don't get lumps.
What's the difference between Honey Sesame Chicken and Orange Chicken?
Orange Chicken has a citrus-forward sauce with orange juice and zest. Honey Sesame Chicken is milder, sweeter, and balanced with honey and a little tang.
📖 Recipe
Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express Copycat
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- saucepan
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper
- ⅔ cup all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Oil for frying
- 1 yellow bell pepper deseeded and cut into strips
- ⅔ cup green beans trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- Sesame seeds to serve
For the sauce
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into strips.
- Add the 2 tablespoons of oil, egg, salt, and pepper to a bowl and whisk to combine.
- In another bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch and baking soda.
- Dip each chicken strip in the egg mixture to coat, then the flour mixture to coat. Set aside on a plate.
- Heat 1-inch of oil in a large deep skillet, over medium/high heat. Add the chicken and fry for approximately 4-7 minutes or until golden, then turn each piece with tongs and cook for a further 4 minutes or until golden and cooked through (depending on the size of your pan, you may need to do this in batches, ensure the chicken is no longer pink and reaches 165F with a meat thermometer).
- Remove the cooked chicken from the pan with tongs or a slotted spoon, and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- Add a little more oil to a skillet then add the strips of bell pepper and the green beans and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- To make the sauce, add the honey, water, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice to a saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking, until hot.
- Stir the cornstarch into 1 tablespoon of water and whisk it into the sauce, then heat for a further few minutes until thick.
- Add the fried chicken, cooked veggies, and sauce to a pan and gently stir to coat it all in the sauce. Heat for a few minutes.
- Serve the chicken sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Beth says
Noice! Yes, I used "noice". LOL. Boy, this looks amazing. I get honey sesame chicken from Panda Express every time we go to our local mall, and I can't wait to make it at home.
Nikki says
Wow, this honey sesame chicken copycat was even better than the original! I can't wait to make this again and again for my family. So much easier than going to PE.
Ali says
Easy and tasted really good. Will make again.
Savita says
This honey sesame chicken recipe turned out really delicious. Loved it a lot.
Tara says
Such a fun copycat recipe! All of the flavors were absolutely amazing. I love how easily and quickly it all comes together too.