Tasty and delicious, this copycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken recipe is a healthier take on this favorite American Chinese takeout dish! Learn how to make your own version of honey and sesame chicken at home for a delicious dinner the whole family will love. Gluten-free and dairy-free too.
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- Copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken
- Is Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Gluten-Free?
- Why This Recipe Works:
- Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Recipe Notes + Substitutions
- How to Make Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken (Step by Step):
- Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Recipe FAQs:
- Other Gluten-Free Asian Recipes You’ll Love:
- Other Chicken Recipes to Enjoy:
- Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes to Cook:
- Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken
If you’ve never tried this popular dish from the Panda Express (the largest American Chinese fast food chain in North America), you’re in for a treat!
Along with orange chicken and broccoli beef, honey sesame chicken is among the favorites on the Panda Express menu.
Think pieces of battered and fried crispy chicken strips, along with sautéed sliced bell peppers and green beans, all coated in a gloriously sweet-and-sour sauce (that’s sweetened with honey and given a punch of heat with hot sauce). And to finish it off, a generous sprinkle of white sesame seeds.
Just telling you about it is making my mouth water… YUUUM.
Is Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Gluten-Free?
Unfortunately, Panda Express uses wheat flour to coat the white chicken meat before frying them. This means that the honey sesame chicken they serve is not gluten-free, and hence this Panda Express entree is not suitable for Celiacs or those with gluten intolerances.
However, today we’re making a gluten-free and dairy-free version of this copycat Panda Express’ honey sesame chicken breast.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for this Panda Express sesame chicken are easily accessible at the local grocery stores (nothing fancy required!).
- Easy to Make: While preparing this recipe needs quite a bit of hands-on time, rest assured that the steps are uncomplicated and simple to do.
- Tasty and Delicious: With crispy fried chicken strips coated in a sweet-sour-hot agrodolce honey sauce, mixed in with tender bell peppers and green beans, this copycat sesame honey chicken recipe will make your taste buds jump for joy!
- Totally Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: The best part is that this honey and sesame chicken recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this copycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions
- 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 or sesame 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 honey sesame chicken from Panda Express uses the yellow pepper 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 green string beans (which are basically the same) are what the favorite Panda Express sesame chicken uses.
- Vegetable Oil: You can use a neutral cooking oil of your choice for frying the chicken (sunflower oil, corn oil, etc).
- Sesame Seeds: The classic sesame honey 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.
How to Make Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken (Step by Step):
1. 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.
2. Prepare Flour Coating
In a separate bowl, add the gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cornstarch. Whisk well to combine.
3. Dip Chicken in Egg Mixture
Dip chicken strips in beaten egg mixture.
4. 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.
5. Fry Chicken in Oil
Heat frying oil in a medium skillet (or large wok), 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.
6. Remove Fried Chicken From Oil
Remove the crispy strips of chicken pieces from the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
7. Sauté Veggies
In a separate pan, heat up the olive oil over medium high heat and stir fry the yellow bell pepper strips and green beans for 5 minutes, or until they are tender but still vibrant in color, stirring occasionally.
8. Prepare Sauce
In a medium 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.
(TIP: If there are any visible lumps of cornstarch, gently stir the sauce with a whisk until all the cornstarch is dissolved.)
9. Mix Chicken, Veggies and Sauce Together
Combine the cooked chicken strips 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.
10. Garnish with Sesame Seeds and Serve
Transfer to a plate and sprinkle with white sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Swap out Chicken for Pork, Fish or Tofu: If you want to make this with a different protein, simply swap out the chicken slices for pork, fish or tofu.
- Prepare Sauce Ahead of Time: You can prepare the copycat Panda Express honey sesame sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for a few days before using.
- Eat Sesame Chicken With: Enjoy this copycat Panda Express honey and sesame chicken with steamed white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice or alone (all options are great, but with white rice it’s best).
Recipe FAQs:
Unfortunately, the honey sesame chicken sold at Panda Express outlets are not gluten-free. According to the website, the chain does not serve gluten-free options, so their sesame honey chicken is not safe for Celiacs or those with gluten intolerance.
I recommend eating this gluten-free sesame chicken straightaway after it’s cooked, as the fried 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.
Other Gluten-Free Asian Recipes You’ll Love:
- Easy Orange Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Cashew Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Beef and Broccoli (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Teriyaki Chicken and Rice (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Other Chicken Recipes to Enjoy:
- Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Hearty Chicken Casserole (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Baked Chicken Meatballs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Chicken Noodle Soup (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Chicken Parmesan (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Crispy Fried Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Cornflake Chicken Strips
Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes to Cook:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
PrintPanda Express Honey Sesame Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- 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.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Dixie says
There is a visual component to food. I often search for and read through recipes before deciding which I will make. Pictures though, are often the deciding factor. I followed your recipe to the letter and it turned out great and looked just like your pictures. It was time consuming for me as I will only fry up the chicken in a small pot in order to not use so much oil. This is definitely going into my recipe box. Thank you!
Felicia Lim says
Hi Dixie! Thank you so much for your lovely words, really glad that you find the step-by-step process pictures helpful! So happy you enjoyed this honey sesame chicken..! And hope to see you around the blog again sometime soon!
xx,
felicia
Lorena says
Made it today. Really delicious!! Thank you
Felicia Lim says
So happy to hear you enjoyed this Lorena!
Linda says
Hello! Please let me know the specific hot sauce you used. I love hot sauce and know that they are all very different. Tabasco is nice and vinegary, Tapatio has an herby profile to it, gochjang is great when seasoned with sesame oil, honey and doenjang, thai garlic chili paste is one of my faves, BUT which one compliments your Honey Sesame Chicken recipe? 🙂
Felicia Lim says
Hi Linda, I would say go with (gluten-free) Sriracha sauce!
Lorraine Neal says
Hi Felicia,
I do have a question for you….I cannot eat honey, but am thinking I will try to use Maple Syrup instead. I have used it
successfully in other recipes calling for honey. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes, we who are celiac, lactose intolerant
as well as unable to eat Nightshades are very appreciative of your great food recipes. Carry on Felicia!
Felicia Lim says
Hi Lorraine! Thank you so much for your lovely words! Maple syrup sounds like a great substitute for honey 🙂 So glad to have you here, and so happy to know you find the recipes helpful 🙂 See you on the blog again sometime soon!
xx,
Felicia
Grace Lim says
Hello Felicia,
Your photo of the honey sesame chicken caused me to salivate so much as I was reading through your post. I keep going back to read your post and treat myself to enjoying the picture of the finished dish !!!
Thank you for the post!
Love,
Mum
Felicia Lim says
Hi mummy, you can ask Meriam to make this honey sesame chicken for you and daddy to eat!