Copycat Panda Express Orange seasme Chicken

Do you often crave the sweet and savory taste of Chinese takeout? You’re not alone. Many of us love the taste of honey sesame chicken. But, we often prefer cooking a delicious meal at home instead of relying on takeout.

Good news: making this popular dish is simple. You just need a few ingredients and basic cooking skills. This way, you can make a homemade version that’s just as tasty as takeout. In this article, we’ll show you how to make honey sesame chicken that will become a favorite in your kitchen.

What is Honey Sesame Chicken?

If you love Chinese food, you might have tried honey sesame chicken. It’s a dish with crispy chicken and a sweet, savory sauce. The chicken is coated, deep-fried, and then tossed in a sauce with sesame oil and seeds.

The dish has a crispy outside and soft inside. The sauce is sweet, savory, and a bit tangy. Sesame oil and seeds add a nutty taste and crunchy texture.

Overview of Ingredients

The main parts of honey sesame chicken are chicken, a coating mix, sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, and sesame seeds. Here’s what each ingredient does:

Key Flavor Profiles

Honey sesame chicken has a mix of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Honey and sugar make it sweet. Soy sauce and sometimes oyster sauce add depth.

Sesame oil and seeds bring a nutty taste and crunch. Knowing these flavors helps you make it at home. You can tweak the flavors to suit your taste, making it perfect for everyone.

The Benefits of Homemade Honey Sesame Chicken

Homemade honey sesame chicken is tasty and healthier than takeout. You control the ingredients and cooking, fitting your diet and health goals.

Healthier Ingredients

One big plus of homemade honey sesame chicken is using healthier ingredients. Unlike takeout, which is often fried and salty, you can bake or stir-fry. This cuts down calories a lot.

You can use less sugar in the sauce or swap it for a natural sweetener. Choosing organic or free-range chicken makes your meal even better.

Customizable Recipes

Another great thing about homemade honey sesame chicken is you can change the recipe. You can adjust the sesame seeds, honey, and spices to your liking. This makes the dish taste better and meets different dietary needs.

Culinary experts say, “Cooking at home lets you make dishes your way.” This is super helpful for families or groups with different tastes.

Adding your favorite ingredients or trying new ones keeps the dish interesting. This flexibility is a big plus of cooking at home over takeout.

Copycat Panda Express Orange Sesame Chicken

Crispy, golden chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce with a hint of sesame – this homemade version tastes just like your favorite Panda Express orange chicken but made fresh in your own kitchen!

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Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Marinating Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Asian

Calories: 380

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken & Batter

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 large egg room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups sparkling water chilled
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• oil for deep-fat frying canola or vegetable oil

Orange Sesame Sauce

• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tsp grated orange zest
• 1 tbsp cornstarch for slurry
• 1 tbsp water for slurry

For Serving

• hot cooked rice white or brown
• sliced green onions for garnish
• toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Wok or large Dutch oven
• Large skillet
• Paper towels
• Candy thermometer
• Wire cooling rack

Method

 

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Whisk in egg, sparkling water and sesame oil until smooth to create a thick pancake batter consistency.
2. Add chicken pieces to the batter and fold until evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the batter to properly hydrate.
3. Heat oil about 1/2 to 1 inch deep in a large wok or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Working in batches, carefully add a few pieces of battered chicken to the hot oil.
4. Cook chicken, turning occasionally, until deeply golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined sheet pan to drain. Repeat with remaining chicken.
5. While the last batch cooks, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add red pepper flakes, garlic and ginger; cook until fragrant, 30-60 seconds.
6. Add both sugars, rice vinegar, orange juice, soy sauce and orange zest to the skillet. Stir until sugars dissolve and mixture begins to bubble.
7. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth. Add to the sauce and whisk until combined. Cook until sauce thickens to a honey-like consistency, 1-2 minutes.
8. Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce and gently toss until every piece is coated. Serve immediately over hot rice, garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

For extra crispy chicken, double-fry: fry once at 325°F for 3 minutes, rest for 2 minutes, then fry again at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. The sparkling water in the batter creates extra lightness and crispiness. If sauce becomes too thick, thin with a little orange juice or chicken stock. Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Essential Ingredients for Your Honey Sesame Chicken

The secret to great honey sesame chicken is in its ingredients. You’ll need chicken, a coating, sauce, and veggies for extra nutrition. These elements combine to make a sweet and savory dish.

Chicken: Types and Preparation

You can use boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs for honey sesame chicken. Breast is leaner and gets crispy on the outside. Thighs are juicier and have more flavor. It’s up to you to decide.

Sesame Sauce Components

The sauce is what makes honey sesame chicken special. It includes honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Don’t forget sesame seeds for texture and flavor. You can tweak the honey and soy sauce to get the taste just right.

Adding Vegetables for Nutrition

To boost the dish’s color and nutrition, add veggies like bell peppers or broccoli. They add nutrition and enhance the flavors of the honey sesame chicken.

Preparing the Chicken

Preparing the chicken for honey sesame chicken is easy. You just need to follow a few steps. The goal is to make the dish both tasty and textured, whether you like it crispy or tender.

Choosing the Right Cooking Method

The cooking method you pick can change how your homemade honey sesame chicken turns out. You can deep-fry, bake, or stir-fry. Deep-frying makes the chicken crispy, while baking or stir-frying are healthier options that taste great too.

Deep-frying is popular because it makes the chicken’s outside crunchy. But, if you want a healthier option, baking or stir-frying works well too.

Marinading Tips

Marinating the chicken is key to better flavor and texture. A good marinade has soy sauce, cornstarch, and sometimes egg. The soy sauce tenderizes the chicken, and cornstarch helps the coating be smooth.

To marinate, mix your marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add the chicken and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it gets. This step makes your homemade honey sesame chicken truly special.

Making the Honey Sesame Sauce

The honey sesame sauce is the star of the honey sesame chicken dish. It combines sweet and savory flavors perfectly. This sauce makes the dish a hit with many.

Key Ingredients in the Sauce

The sauce is made with honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Sometimes, cornstarch or flour is added to thicken it. Sesame seeds are sprinkled on top for extra taste and texture. The sauce’s beauty is in its simplicity and how easy it is to customize.

Culinary experts say a great sauce can elevate a dish. The honey sesame sauce is no different. It’s all about finding the right balance of flavors.

“The art of making a great honey sesame sauce is all about balance and harmony among its ingredients.”

Step-by-Step Sauce Preparation

To make the sauce, start by mixing honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a saucepan. Whisk until they’re well combined.

• In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch or flour with a little water until smooth.
• Add this mixture to the saucepan and whisk continuously.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
• Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for a few minutes until it thickens.

After the sauce thickens, take it off the heat and let it cool. Then, drizzle it over your honey sesame chicken. Top with sesame seeds.

Cooking Techniques for Perfect Honey Sesame Chicken

There are many ways to make your honey sesame chicken better. Whether you’re new to cooking or have lots of experience, learning different cooking methods can help. You’ll get the perfect mix of flavors and textures.

Stovetop Cooking Tips

Cooking on the stovetop is quick and easy. For the best results, use high heat and stir constantly to avoid burning the chicken. Here are some tips:

• Use a wok or a large skillet to cook the chicken and vegetables.
• Add the honey sesame sauce towards the end of cooking to prevent it from becoming too thick.
• Stir in some sesame oil for added flavor.

Oven-Baking Method

Oven-baking is a healthier choice than deep-frying. It can still make your chicken crispy. To oven-bake your honey sesame chicken, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Here are some tips:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Toss the chicken with the honey sesame sauce and some sesame seeds before baking.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Frying for Crispiness

Deep-frying can make your honey sesame chicken very crispy. To fry your chicken, heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F (175°C). Here are some tips:

• Use a thermometer to ensure the oil reaches the right temperature.
• Dredge the chicken in a mixture of flour and cornstarch before frying for extra crispiness.
• Fry in batches to prevent the chicken from sticking together.

Mastering these cooking techniques will help you make a delicious and crispy honey sesame chicken. You can choose from stovetop cooking, oven-baking, or deep-frying. Each method has its own benefits.

Serving Suggestions for Honey Sesame Chicken

To make your weeknight dinner better, try pairing honey sesame chicken with other dishes. This can make it a family favorite. It’s easy to find sides that match your taste.

Ideal Side Dishes

Choosing the right sides can make your honey sesame chicken even better. Here are some favorites:

• Steamed rice: A classic choice that soaks up the sauce nicely.
• Stir-fried vegetables: They add color and nutrients to your meal.
• Noodles: A tasty alternative to rice, perfect for a change.

Presentation Tips

How you present your honey sesame chicken matters. Here are some tips:

• Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions for a fresh look.
• Use a colorful plate to make the dish pop.
• Arrange the side dishes around the main dish to look good.

By using these serving tips, you can make your homemade honey sesame chicken a delicious and satisfying meal. It’s perfect for any weeknight dinner.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

To enjoy your Honey Sesame Chicken for days, knowing how to store and reheat leftovers is key. The right methods can keep the dish’s flavor and texture just right.

Best Practices for Storage

Use an airtight container to store leftovers. This keeps the Honey Sesame Chicken fresh. It stops moisture and other flavors from getting in.

Put the container in the fridge within two hours of cooking. This stops bacteria from growing. “Proper storage is key to enjoying your meal later,” as it keeps the food quality and safe.

Reheating Options to Maintain Flavor

You can reheat your Honey Sesame Chicken in a few ways. The microwave is fast but be careful not to overheat. This can dry out the chicken.

Reheating in the oven is better for keeping the dish’s texture and taste. Just cover it with foil and heat at a moderate temperature until it’s warm.

By following these steps, you can enjoy your Honey Sesame Chicken even on busy days. This makes meal prep a breeze.

Variations on Honey Sesame Chicken

You can easily customize honey sesame chicken to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. This versatile dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that becomes a family favorite.

Spicing it Up

Adding chili flakes is a simple way to give your honey sesame chicken an extra kick. This variation is ideal for those who enjoy spicy food and want to add a new dimension to the classic recipe.

Exploring Alternatives

If you’re looking for vegan or vegetarian alternatives, consider substituting the chicken with tofu or tempeh. You can also experiment with different proteins like shrimp or pork to change up the flavor and texture.

Using sesame seeds as a garnish not only adds a nutty flavor but also provides a satisfying crunch. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or a casual gathering, honey sesame chicken is sure to be a hit.

FAQ

Here’s your list in numbered format:

How can I maintain the flavor and texture of honey sesame chicken when reheating?
Reheat in the oven or on the stovetop, not the microwave. This keeps the crispy outside and tender inside.

What type of chicken is best for honey sesame chicken?
Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs work well. Choose based on whether you prefer leaner or juicier meat.

Can I make honey sesame chicken without deep-frying?
Yes, baking or stir-frying is a healthier option. These methods give a crispy outside and a tender inside.

How do I achieve the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in the sauce?
Mix honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in the right amounts. Adjust the sauce to taste by adding more of any ingredient.

What are some ideal side dishes to serve with honey sesame chicken?
Steamed rice is a classic choice, soaking up the sauce well. Stir-fried vegetables or other sides are also great options.

How can I store and reheat leftovers of honey sesame chicken?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave for quick results or the oven for crispiness. Adjust the method to keep the flavor and texture.

Can I customize honey sesame chicken to suit my dietary preferences?
Yes, add spice with chili flakes or use tofu for a vegan option. Try different proteins like shrimp. This makes honey sesame chicken versatile for various diets.

What are some tips for making crispy honey sesame chicken?
Use a coating mix with cornstarch and sometimes egg. Then, deep-fry, bake, or stir-fry to get crispy.