✔ Updated · new copycat recipe with step photos
As an Amazon Associate, Recipe Fairy earns from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links; we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
This copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken gives you crispy strips of chicken breast, crunchy green beans and sweet yellow peppers in a glossy honey sauce with toasted sesame. It's a sweet, kid friendly stir fry that's ready in 40 minutes.
How Do You Make Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken? (Quick Answer)
Coat chicken breast strips in a light egg and cornstarch batter and fry at 350°F for 4 to 5 minutes until crisp. Stir-fry yellow bell pepper and green beans, add a sauce of honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar and brown sugar, thicken with a little cornstarch, then toss in the chicken and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Toss the chicken in the sauce right before serving. It stays crunchy for longer.
Why You'll Love Honey Sesame Chicken
- Crispy chicken light batter, golden crunch.
- Glossy sauce sweet honey with a little tang.
- Veggies included green beans and peppers in the wok.
- Better than takeout hot and fresh from your stove.
- Kid favorite sweet, not spicy.
What Is Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken?
Honey Sesame Chicken Breast is a Panda Express entree of crispy chicken strips, string beans and yellow peppers in a sweet honey sauce with sesame seeds.
This homemade version keeps the same crispy chicken and glossy sauce, with plenty of vegetables in every bowl.
Ingredient Notes
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Chicken breast: cut into thin strips so it fries fast.
- Cornstarch batter: light and extra crispy.
- Honey: the star of the sauce, balanced with soy and rice vinegar.
- Green beans and yellow pepper: crunch and color.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Cold water batter. Cold water keeps the coating light and crisp.
- Fry in batches. Crowding drops the oil temperature and makes the coating greasy. A clip-on deep fry thermometer like this Taylor one makes it easy to hold the oil at 350°F, so everything fries up crisp instead of greasy.
- Crisp tender beans. They should still snap when you bite them.
- Thicken carefully. Add the slurry slowly. The sauce should coat, not turn gluey.
- Air fryer option. Coat the chicken in cornstarch only, spray with oil and air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
- At our table. Max hunts for the yellow peppers, and Lucy steals the crispiest chicken.
Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken
4
servings20
minutes20
minutes520
kcal40
minutesA copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Breast: thin strips of chicken breast in a light cornstarch batter, fried golden and crisp, then tossed in a wok with yellow bell pepper and green beans in a glossy honey, soy and rice vinegar sauce and finished with toasted sesame seeds. Serves 4.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 large egg
1/2 cup cornstarch, for the batter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cold water
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
6 ounces green beans, trimmed and halved
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Directions
- Whisk the egg, cornstarch, flour, cold water and salt into a smooth, light batter. Add the chicken strips and stir to coat each piece.
- Heat the oil in a wok or heavy pot to 350°F. Fry the chicken in batches for 4 to 5 minutes, until golden, crisp and 165°F inside. Drain on a rack.
- Whisk the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar and brown sugar in a small bowl. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of oil, heat the wok over high heat and stir-fry the bell pepper and green beans for 3 to 4 minutes until crisp tender. Add the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the honey sauce and bring to a bubble, then stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 30 seconds until glossy. Add the fried chicken and sesame oil and toss until coated. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot with rice.
Like this recipe?
Follow us @recipefairy on Pinterest
Storage
Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The coating softens, so reheat in a skillet or air fryer.
More Panda Express Copycats
Make a full plate with my Panda Express chow mein, teriyaki chicken and Beijing beef, or see all my Panda Express recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken?
Crispy chicken breast strips, green beans and yellow bell peppers in a honey sauce with sesame seeds.
Is honey sesame chicken the same as orange chicken?
No. Honey sesame is sweeter and milder, without the orange and chili flavor. Try my <a href="https://recipefairy.com/panda-express-orange-chicken/">Panda Express orange chicken</a> to compare.
Can I make it without frying?
Yes. Toss the chicken in cornstarch, spray with oil and air fry or bake at 425°F for 15 to 18 minutes before tossing in the sauce.
What rice goes with it?
Steamed white rice or my <a href="https://recipefairy.com/panda-express-fried-rice/">Panda Express fried rice</a>.
How do I reheat leftovers?
Reheat in a hot skillet or in the air fryer at 375°F for 4 to 5 minutes to bring back some crunch.
