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Panda Express Sesame Chicken Recipe

This easy Panda Express honey sesame chicken copycat recipe recreates the crunchy fried chicken, tangy sesame sauce, and veggie medley of everyone's favorite Chinese chicken recipes and takeout meal. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have restaurant-quality sesame chicken on the table in under 30 minutes. Keep reading for the complete step-by-step recipe! 
4.34 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American Chinese
Servings 4 servings
Calories 416 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Wok, Dutch Oven or Deep Frying Pan
  • Slotted Spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound chicken breast boneless skinless, cut into 1" chunks
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • ½ cup cornstarch plus more if needed
  • ½ cup flour plus more if needed
  • 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • vegetable oil for frying

Honey Sesame Sauce:

  • ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ⅛ teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • tsp. sesame oil
  • 2 minced garlic cloves

To Finish:

  • 1 pound string beans rinsed and ends trimmed off
  • 1 yellow bell pepper sliced thinly
  • 1 tsp. white sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Mix all the ingredients for the sauce together in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.
  • To coat the chicken breast, add the egg, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon oil into a medium bowl and whisk together well. In a second bowl, add ½ cup cornstarch and ¼ cup flour and mix.
  • In a deep frying pan or Dutch oven, heat oil to 375 degrees (about 2 inches of oil).
  • Dip chicken pieces in the egg mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture.
  • Fry the chicken in batches for 6 - 8 minutes or until golden and crisp then remove with a slotted spoon, draining the oil well. Place the cooked chicken on a paper-towel lined plate to drain any excess oil.
  • When you are done with the chicken, set the deep frying pan aside and switch to another pan or wok. I switched to my large wok for the rest of the recipe as it works really well to quickly stir fry the recipe.
  • In a large work over high heat, add two tablespoons of oil. Stir fry the string beans and bell pepper strips for 30 seconds, then add in the cooked chicken, and the honey sesame sauce and toss quickly to combine. The sauce will thicken in a minute or two so keep mixing.
  • Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

Video

Notes

  • If your chicken breast is quite thick, pound the chicken pieces to an even ½ inch thickness so they cook evenly before cutting. 
  • Let the oil come fully up to temperature before frying chicken for maximum crispiness.
  • Drain fried chicken on a paper towel-lined plate to soak up excess grease.
  • Keep sauce ingredients on hand so you can whip it up anytime a craving strikes!
  • Toss everything together right before serving to keep the crispy texture.
  • For spicy orange chicken, add sriracha and orange zest to the sauce.
  • Cook chicken and veggies in batches for proper stir-frying technique.

Nutrition

Calories: 416kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 29gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 781mgPotassium: 776mgFiber: 4gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 936IUVitamin C: 73mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 3mg