Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
A delicious homemade version of Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken featuring crispy battered chicken thighs coated in a sweet and tangy honey sesame sauce, perfect for a comforting and flavorful Asian-inspired meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and 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
Sauce
- ½ Cup Honey
- 2 Tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup
Additional
- Vegetable Oil, for frying
- Green Onion, for garnish
- Sesame Seeds for Garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, white pepper, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Add the chicken thigh pieces and toss to coat evenly. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours to deepen the flavor.
- Prepare the Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, egg, water (starting with ½ cup and adding more as needed), baking powder, and baking soda until smooth. Adjust the batter consistency by adding water one tablespoon at a time if too thick.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or pot and heat it to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for frying.
- Fry the Chicken: Dip each piece of marinated chicken into the batter, letting excess drip off, then carefully lower into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 4-5 minutes per side or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and corn syrup. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce simmers and thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Place the fried chicken in a bowl and pour the warm honey sauce over it. Toss to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the honey sesame chicken hot, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, over crispy rice noodles or white rice. Enjoy your meal!
Notes
- Marinate the chicken longer (up to 4 hours) for enhanced flavor.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F to ensure crispy chicken without absorbing too much oil.
- Adjust batter thickness to achieve a light, crispy coating.
- Use fresh green onions and sesame seeds for garnish to add color and texture.
- Honey can be substituted with maple syrup as a natural sweetener alternative.
Keywords: Panda Express honey sesame chicken, crispy honey chicken, fried chicken thighs, honey sesame sauce, Asian chicken recipe, copycat Panda Express
