Panda Express Copycat - Honey Sesame Chicken Strips

Panda Express Copycat - Honey Sesame Chicken Strips - A copycat version of the delicious and popular Honey Sesame Chicken from Panda Express. Made with fried crispy Chicken Breast, Green Beans and Peppers with a very more-ish sweet and sticky honey sauce the you will want to drizzle on top of everything!

Panda Express Copycat - Honey Sesame Chicken Strips - What is it?

This is how it is described by Panda Express - ‘Thin, crispy strips of all-white chicken meat tossed with fresh-cut string beans, crispy yellow bell peppers in a sizzling hot wok with our new delicious honey sauce topped off with sesame seeds.’

Ingredients in Honey Sesame Chicken Strips

All the ingredients for this recipe are available in all major supermarkets:

Chicken

I use boneless, skinless chicken breast but you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.

Vegetables

Yellow pepper and green string beans are used in this recipe. You can sub the yellow peppers for red.

Soy Sauce

You can use Tamari if you are gluten free.

Honey

I used Honey in this recipe for the sweetest most deliciously sticky sauce. A clear honey is what you need to use. Nothing too strong. You can also add some brown sugar.

Vinegar

Rice vinegar or White Vinegar of your choice.

Cornflour

This is used to thicken the sauce.

Lemon Juice

Adds Flavour.

Sesame Oil

Used in the marinade and sauce. You can use any other oil that isn’t too strongly flavoured.

White Sesame Seeds

Added to the chicken for a little bit of texture. You can use black sesame seeds if you prefer or toasted sesame seeds.

Salt and White Pepper

This is used in both the marinade and in the sauce.

Eggs

Used to coat the Chicken.

Plain Flour/All Purpose Flour

If you are gluten free you can use a mixture of gluten free flour and corn flour.

Bicarbonate of Soda

This helps the chicken to crisp up.

Sweet Chilli Sauce

Makes the sauce so delicious.

How to make it

Add Egg, Salt, Pepper and Oil to a bowl.

In a separate bowl/plate, mix cornflour, flour and bicarbonate of soda.

In a large wok, heat oil to 190 C/375 F.

Dip chicken pieces into the egg mixture.

Dredge in the flour mixture.

Deep fry the chicken in small batches (10 max at a time) until lightly golden and crisp flipping midway.

Carefully remove the chicken from the oil and drain on kitchen paper. 

Repeat until all the chicken is cooked. 

To make the sauce combine Honey, Water, Lemon Juice, Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Cornflour and Sweet Chilli Sauce in a pot.

Whisk and bring to a light boil and simmer on low until it thickens.

Drain the oil used to cook the Chicken and reserve 2 tbsp.

Stir fry the green beans and pepper strips in the oil for 30 seconds.

Add in the cooked chicken and the honey sesame sauce and toss to combine.

Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

Top Tips for Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken

Vegetable

It is best to use fresh vegetables over frozen. That way they maintain their crunch.

Make the sauce in a separate pan to the veg in order to make the veggies super crisp.

Prep Ahead

Prep everything ahead of time because this is a quick recipe and everything needs to be ready to go.

Spice Level

Add a sprinkling of red chilli flakes or a drizzle of chilli oil like Lee Kum Chiu Chow Oil.

Oil

Test if the oil is hot, by adding a tiny piece of batter/flour - it should float to the top quite quickly.

Variations

Extra Crispy Chicken

If you like your chicken extra crispy, simply double fry it.  Fry for 2 minutes. Cool in the fridge for 20 minutes.This is to dry it out a little.  Fry again for 3 to 5 minutes. This will give you extra crunchy chicken.

Other Vegetables

You can use any crunchy Veg here. Veggies usually served in stir fries such as are ideal. Such as Sugar Snaps, Carrots, Mushrooms, Baby Corn, Broccoli.

How to make it Gluten Free

Use Tamari in place of Soy Sauce and use a gluten free flour mixed with corn flour for the chicken coating.

Storage

Fridge

Place leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Note - The chicken does not remain crispy. If you are making ahead, just coat the chicken but fry it just before eating.

Freezer

Let the chicken cool to room temperature and freeze for up to 3 months.

More Chicken Recipes you may enjoy:

Chicken Hakka Noodles

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Easy Homemade Tandoori Chicken – 3 Easy Methods

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