If you’ve ever craved that perfect sweet, tangy, and crunchy chicken from your favorite takeout spot, you’re going to fall head over heels for this pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken. Imagine crisp, golden chicken strips tossed in a glossy honey-sesame sauce, brightened by pepper and green beans, effortlessly hitting every note: savory, sweet, a little spicy, and absolutely irresistible. Plus, this recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free, so everyone at your table can dig in, guilt-free. Skip the delivery fee because this home-cooked classic brings all the flavor—and a little extra happiness—right to your kitchen!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about making pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken is how every ingredient works hard to create flavor, texture, and color. Each element—from silky honey to crunchy vegetables—plays a standout role in making your dish restaurant-worthy!
- Egg: Helps the coating stick to every chicken strip, ensuring those addictive crispy edges.
- Salt: Enhances all the salty and savory notes—think of it as flavor insurance for your meal.
- Ground Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat that sparks up the taste without overpowering it.
- Olive Oil: Not just for frying, it also infuses the coating and veggies with richness.
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Ensures a perfect crispy crust minus the gluten—use a light blend for crunchiness!
- Cornstarch: Gives the chicken that crave-worthy crunch and keeps the sauce glossy.
- Baking Soda: Just a pinch transforms the chicken exterior to extra-light and crispy.
- Chicken Fillets: Boneless, skinless breast is best—juicy and easy to slice into strips.
- Yellow Bell Pepper: Brings a pop of color and sweetness; swap for red or green if you like!
- Green Beans: Their snap adds texture while soaking up just the right amount of sauce.
- Vegetable Oil for Frying: Neutral flavor and high smoke point—choose what you prefer.
- White Sesame Seeds: A sprinkle for crunch and that signature toasty, nutty aroma.
- Honey: The backbone of that sticky-sweet coating—don’t swap it for anything else!
- Gluten-Free Hot Sauce: Balances sweetness with just enough heat and color—adjust to taste.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Puts a tangy twist to keep the flavors bright and not overly sweet.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh is ideal for a pop of acidity and citrus kick.
- Filtered Water: Helps thin the sauce for a smooth, pourable glaze.
How to Make pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken
Step 1: Whisk the Egg Mixture
Start by whisking your egg in a wide bowl, then add salt, pepper, and a tablespoon of olive oil. Mixing these together isn’t just busywork—it’s the foundation of your crispy coating. The oil helps bring out rich flavor, while the egg binds everything to those chicken strips. Give it a good stir until it’s all smooth and silky!
Step 2: Prepare the Flour Mixture
In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking soda. This trio is your secret weapon for the crunchiest chicken. The cornstarch delivers an unbeatable crisp factor, while the baking soda creates those tiny bubbles that make the crust light, not heavy.
Step 3: Dip the Chicken Strips
Drop your chicken strips into the egg mixture, making sure every piece is coated. This is hands-on and a little messy—just how comfort food should be! Get the egg everywhere for best results.
Step 4: Coat Chicken in Flour Mixture
Roll each strip in the flour mixture, using your fingers to press the coating in gently. Knock off excess flour so the crust isn’t too thick—just imagine you’re prepping these beauties for their golden transformation in the oil.
Step 5: Fry the Chicken
Pour oil into your skillet until it’s about one to one-and-a-half inches deep, then heat to 350°F if you have a thermometer (otherwise, carefully test with a small piece of bread—it should bubble instantly). Gently lower the chicken strips in and let them fry for 6-7 minutes, turning halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when they’re perfectly golden and crisp.
Step 6: Drain & Rest the Chicken
Using a slotted spoon, transfer fried strips to a paper towel-lined plate. This step is key—no one wants greasy chicken! Pat gently to soak up any extra oil while you get the veggies and sauce going.
Step 7: Sauté the Vegetables
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in another skillet. Add your yellow bell pepper strips and green beans, sautéing for about five minutes. The goal: keep things just-tender with a little bite, not mushy.
Step 8: Make the Honey Sesame Sauce
Combine honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, water, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Give it all a good stir, then bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, whisking to dissolve all the cornstarch lumps. The sauce should thicken to a glossy glaze in a couple minutes—just keep whisking!
Step 9: Bring it All Together
Add the fried chicken and sautéed veggies to your saucepan with the sauce, tossing gently but thoroughly so every bite is coated. Heat everything together for a couple minutes—enough to marry the flavors without softening the chicken’s crispy coating.
Step 10: Finishing Touches
Transfer your completed pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken to a serving plate and shower generously with sesame seeds right before serving. This final garnish adds the iconic look and nutty aroma that makes the dish pop!
How to Serve pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken
Garnishes
For the ultimate takeout-style finish, scatter extra white (or black) sesame seeds over your pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken right before serving. For more color and crunch, try a handful of thinly-sliced scallions or even a little zest of lemon—tiny details that make it look and taste unforgettable.
Side Dishes
You can never go wrong with a steaming bowl of jasmine rice or fluffy white rice to soak up every last drop of sauce. Love variety? Pair your honey sesame chicken with sautéed bok choy, broccoli, or gluten-free fried rice for a full family feast that channels the best of your favorite takeout spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken family-style on a large platter, letting everyone help themselves, or pile it into lettuce cups for a fresh (and finger-friendly!) twist. Skewer individual pieces for party appetizers, or layer over a crispy rice cake for a fun, Instagram-worthy meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you end up with extra pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken, let it cool completely before sealing it in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days, although the chicken loses a bit of its famous crispiness as it sits in the sauce. Still, the flavors become even richer overnight—perfect for a satisfying next-day lunch!
Freezing
To freeze, leave the sauce off the chicken if possible and store fried chicken strips separately from the sauce and veggies. Use freezer-safe containers and your leftovers will keep for up to two months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat each component before combining for the freshest taste and texture.
Reheating
The best method is to gently reheat pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often so it warms evenly and the sauce re-thickens. You can also pop it in the microwave for a minute or two—just don’t overdo it or the chicken may get a little chewy.
FAQs
Can I make this pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken recipe egg-free?
Absolutely! You can swap in aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) or your favorite egg replacer. This keeps the flour coating sticking nicely even without eggs.
Is there a vegan option for this recipe?
While this dish centers on chicken, you can absolutely make it vegan by using firm tofu or cauliflower florets instead. Keep the same coating and frying method for best results!
What gluten-free flour works best?
Look for a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that is mostly rice flour and starches like tapioca, potato, and corn. Avoid blends heavy in bean flours—they can taste a bit too earthy for this delicate, sweet dish.
Can I adjust the spiciness?
Of course! Use more or less hot sauce, or swap for a milder or spicier version as you like. You’re in total control of the heat level in your pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken.
Will the chicken stay crispy after being sauced?
The best crunch is always straight out of the pan, but tossing in the sauce and serving quickly will keep things crisp. For longer holding, try serving the sauce on the side for dipping!
Final Thoughts
Give pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken a whirl in your own kitchen and you’ll see—it’s easier than you think to capture that glorious sweet-and-savory magic. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this fun, satisfying meal and discover how takeout favorites can be even better homemade. Happy cooking!
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pycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying, Sauteing
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tasty and delicious, this copycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken recipe is a healthier version of this favorite American Chinese takeout dish! Learn how to make your own honey and sesame chicken at home for a delicious dinner the whole family will love. Gluten-free and dairy-free too.
Ingredients
For the Fried Chicken Strips:
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2/3 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 chicken fillets, cut into strips (about 10–12 oz)
- 1 yellow bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, then sliced into thin strips
- 2/3 cup green beans, cut into 1–2 inch pieces
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup gluten-free hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Beat Egg, Salt, Pepper and Olive Oil: Beat an egg into a bowl, add salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon olive oil, then mix well to combine.
- Prepare Flour Coating: In another bowl, add the gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cornstarch. Whisk well to combine.
- Dip Chicken in Egg: Dip chicken strips in beaten egg.
- Coat Chicken Strips in Flour Mixture: Roll the strips of chicken fillet in a mixture of flour mixture until coated all over, shaking off any excess flour.
- Fry Chicken in Oil: Heat frying oil in a medium skillet, pouring enough oil to reach 1 to 1 1/2 inches of oil. Add the chicken strips to the hot oil (up to about 350F). Fry for 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown.
- Remove Fried Chicken From Oil: Remove the finished chicken strips from the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to napkins to absorb excess oil.
- Sauté Veggies: In a separate pan, heat up the olive oil over medium high heat and sauté the yellow bell pepper strips and green beans for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, mix the honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, water and cornstarch. Bring to a gentle boil until the sauce has thickened. Make sure that all the cornstarch has dissolved, if there are lumps of cornstarch, gently stir the sauce with a whisk.
- Mix Ingredients Together: Combine the fried chicken and sautéed veggies in the saucepan with the sauce, mixing well so that all the chicken strips and vegetables are covered with sauce, and then warm everything together for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with Sesame Seeds and Serve: Transfer to a plate and sprinkle with sesame seeds, and enjoy this copycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken with rice or alone.
Notes
- Egg: The egg helps to better bind the flour coating to the chicken, so make sure to add it in. If you are allergic to eggs, or would simply prefer to keep this recipe egg-free, you may also use acquafaba or an egg-replacer.
- Salt: I used fine table salt, but you can also use fine sea salt or fine Himalayan pink salt if you prefer.
- Black Pepper: I like a little bit of ground black pepper for a little kick of heat. If you’re not a fan of black pepper, you can leave it out.
- Olive Oil: I like using extra virgin olive oil, but you can also use other vegetable oils if you prefer (such as sunflower oil, corn oil, avocado oil).
- Gluten-Free Flour: I used gluten-free flour to keep this recipe gluten-free. I recommend using a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that is made of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch). I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free blend that uses heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour). If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use normal wheat flour instead.
- Cornstarch: Adding cornstarch to the flour coating helps to make the chicken strips crisp up better once fried. If you don’t have cornstarch, you may use potato starch or tapioca starch instead.
- Baking Soda: Adding a pinch of baking soda helps to produce a crispier texture when frying. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use certified gluten-free baking soda.
- Chicken Fillets: I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts as they are best for this recipe.
- Bell Pepper: I used yellow bell peppers as the original Panda Express honey sesame chicken recipe uses the yellow variation. Of course, feel free to use red or green bell peppers if you prefer or if that’s what you have on hand. You can either cut the bell peppers into cubes, or slice them into evenly thin strips.
- Green Beans: Green beans or string beans (which are basically the same) are what the favorite Panda Express sesame chicken uses.
- Vegetable Oil: You can use a neutral vegetable oil of your choice for frying the chicken (sunflower oil, corn oil, etc).
- Sesame Seeds: The classic honey sesame chicken from Panda Express uses white sesame seeds, but go ahead of use a mix of black and white sesame seeds if you prefer!
- Honey: Since honey is an integral part of this recipe, I would not substitute it for anything.
- Hot Sauce: The hot sauce adds a kick of heat and color to the recipe. Feel free to add more or less depending on your heat tolerance. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use gluten-free hot sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adding apple cider vinegar (in addition to lemon juice) lends a tart flavor to balance out the sweetness of the honey, creating the lovely sweet-and-sour flavor we enjoy.
- Lemon Juice: For best results, I recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Storing: I recommend eating this honey sesame chicken straightaway after it’s cooked, as the chicken strips will lose their crispiness after soaking in the honey sauce for too long. However, if you do have any leftovers, place the cooled sesame honey chicken in an airtight container and store for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken in the microwave or in a skillet before eating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
