Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express

Learn how to make the famous Honey Sesame Chicken from Panda Express at home with this easy, crispy, and delicious copycat recipe. Packed with flavor, veggies, and a sticky-sweet glaze—perfect for your next Asian-style dinner night!

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Make This Crispy Favorite at Home!

Craving that golden, crispy, and sweet Honey Sesame Chicken from Panda Express? You’re not the only one! It’s one of the most popular dishes at the restaurant, and the good news is—you don’t have to wait for it to return on the menu.

In this post, I’ll show you how to make an easy, healthy-ish, and super delicious copycat version of this dish at home. Trust me, this will become your go-to weeknight dinner!

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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Super crispy chicken
• ✅ Sticky, sweet, and tangy honey sesame sauce
• ✅ Loaded with fresh veggies
• ✅ Way healthier than takeout
• ✅ Better than the restaurant—100% guaranteed!

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your whole family, this copycat Panda Express chicken recipe is perfect for impressing everyone with minimal effort.

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📦 Ingredients You’ll Need

(Answering: What are the ingredients in honey sesame chicken?)

Here’s your simple grocery list:

🍗 For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless chicken breast (cut into 1-inch chunks)
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil (for frying or air-frying)

🥣 For the Sauce:

• 1/3 cup honey (raw if possible)
• 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic (minced)
• 1/2 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for slurry)

🫑 For the Veggies & Garnish:

• 1 cup green beans (lightly blanched)
• 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (to garnish)
• 1 tbsp green onions (optional for color)

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👨‍🍳 How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken (Step-by-Step)

This homemade Chinese chicken recipe is ready in under 40 minutes!

Step 1: Make the Batter

In a bowl, whisk together:

• Egg
• Flour
• Cornstarch
• Garlic powder
• Salt & pepper

Coat each chicken piece in the batter evenly.

Step 2: Fry the Chicken

Heat oil to 350°F in a skillet or fryer.

• Fry in small batches until golden (4–5 mins each side).
• Drain on a paper towel.

💡 Pro Tip: Want a healthier version? Use an air fryer at 390°F for 14–16 minutes, shaking halfway through!

Step 3: Cook the Veggies

• In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tbsp oil.
• Stir-fry green beans and bell pepper for 2–3 minutes.
• Set aside.

Step 4: Make the Honey Sesame Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine:

• Honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger
• Simmer over medium-low heat
• Add cornstarch slurry and stir until thickened (~2 minutes)

Step 5: Toss It All Together

• Return veggies and chicken to the skillet
• Pour sauce over and toss to coat everything evenly
• Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions on top

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🤔 What Happened to Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken?

If you’ve searched for this dish in-store and didn’t find it, here’s why:

Panda Express only offers Honey Sesame Chicken as a limited-time dish, usually during certain seasons or promotions.
But don’t worry! With this easy Asian chicken stir fry recipe, you can enjoy it any time of year, right at home.

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🍽️ What’s the Difference Between Honey Chicken and Sesame Chicken?

This is a common question in American-Chinese cuisine:

Feature	Honey Chicken	Sesame Chicken
Sauce	Sweet, honey-forward	Sweet and tangy, soy-based
Texture	Light glaze, less sticky	Thicker, stickier, richer glaze
Sesame Seeds	Optional	Must-have
Taste Profile	Milder, slightly fruity	Bolder, more savory

So if you’re craving something lighter and sweeter, Honey Sesame Chicken is your best bet!

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🥗 Is Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Good for You?

Let’s break it down:

• The Panda Express version = 420 calories/serving
• High in added sugar & sodium
• Deep-fried and processed

💡 BUT—here’s the good news:
When you make it at home, you can:

• Use air-frying instead of deep-frying
• Add more veggies like broccoli or snap peas
• Reduce sugar and use raw honey
• Use organic chicken breast

So yes, this homemade version of Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken can be a part of a healthy, balanced meal!

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💡 Helpful Tips for Best Results

1. Use a thermometer for frying to avoid soggy chicken.
2. Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying—keep it crispy.
3. Double the sauce if serving over rice—it soaks in beautifully.
4. Add red chili flakes if you like a spicy twist.
5. Serve immediately after tossing to keep the crisp!

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🍚 Best Side Dishes for Honey Sesame Chicken

Serve your best honey chicken for dinner with:

• Steamed jasmine or basmati rice
• Egg fried rice
• Stir-fried noodles
• Cucumber salad
• Dumplings or spring rolls on the side

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🧊 How to Store & Reheat

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze fried chicken pieces separately.
• Reheat: Air fry or bake the chicken, reheat the sauce separately, then toss together.

🙋‍♀️ FAQ Time!

🎯 Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Wait for Panda Express!

This honey sesame chicken Panda Express copycat recipe is:

• Crunchy ✔
• Sweet & savory ✔
• Super easy ✔
• And way better than takeout ✔

It’s your perfect dish when you’re craving Chinese food but want to skip the line (and the grease). Plus, it’s a hit with kids, adults, and picky eaters alike!

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