Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is a deliciously crispy and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs coated in a light batter, deep-fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a sweet, tangy honey sesame sauce. Perfect as a comforting meal served over rice or crispy noodles, this recipe brings the iconic restaurant flavor right to your kitchen.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1.5 Pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs, Cut Into Bite-Sized Pieces
- 2 Tablespoons Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
- 1 Teaspoon White Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- 3 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
Batter
- 1 Cup All-purpose Flour
- ¼ Cup Cornstarch
- 1 Egg
- ½–¾ Cup Water
- ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Baking Soda
Frying
- Vegetable Oil, for frying
Honey Sesame Sauce
- ½ Cup Honey
- 2 Tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup
Garnish
- Green Onion, sliced
- Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine low-sodium soy sauce, white pepper, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Add the bite-sized chicken thighs and toss well to coat. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate up to 4 hours for enhanced flavor.
- Prepare the Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, egg, baking powder, and baking soda until smooth. Gradually add ½ cup water, adding more by tablespoon if needed, until the batter reaches a slightly thick but dippable consistency.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or pot and heat to 350°F (175°C) to ensure ideal frying temperature for crispy results.
- Fry the Chicken: Dip each marinated chicken piece into the prepared batter, letting excess drip off carefully. Fry the chicken in batches in the hot oil, cooking each piece for about 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Make the Honey Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and corn syrup. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture simmers and thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Place the fried chicken pieces in a large bowl and pour the warm honey sauce over them. Toss gently to coat each piece evenly with the glaze.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the honey sesame chicken hot, ideally over crispy rice noodles or white rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation. Enjoy!
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer intensifies flavor.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for crispy, non-greasy coating.
- Use a deep pot/skillet to avoid oil splatters while frying.
- Adjust batter consistency with water to prevent it from being too thick or thin.
- Can be served alongside steamed vegetables or fried rice for a complete meal.
Keywords: Honey Sesame Chicken, Panda Express Copycat, Fried Chicken, Asian Chicken Recipe, Sweet and Savory Chicken
