Panda Express Copycat Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken
Crispy chicken coated with a sweet and sticky sauce, this Panda Express Copycat Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken recipe is an all-time favorite. Even better than takeout!
Servings 4
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup water
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast, cut into 1-inch chunks
- Vegetable oil for deep-frying
For the sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsps water
- Toasted sesame seeds to garnish
- Scallions to garnish (optional)
Instructions
For the chicken:
- In a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350F over medium high heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, and water until well blended.
- Dip chicken pieces into the flour mixture, toss to coat, and fry in the hot oil in small batches until golden brown, about 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil.
For the sauce:
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, and garlic, and bring to a boil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until well blended. Once the sauce is boiling, lower the heat and slowly add in the cornstarch mixture, whisking continuously, until the sauce has thickened.
To assemble:
- Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and toss to coat well.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and scallions if using, and serve immediately.
Notes
*Between additions of cornstarch-water mixture, allow the sauce to go back to a simmer to check for consistency. Use more cornstarch mixture if you prefer a thicker sauce, or less if you prefer a thinner sauce.
