Lucas Delgado
Panda Express' honey sesame chicken is a delicious blend of sweet and savoury flavours, with a nutty aroma from toasted sesame oil. The dish features crispy battered chicken pieces coated in a honey sesame sauce, accompanied by bell peppers and green beans. The chicken is first fried in vegetable oil and then tossed in a sauce made from honey, sesame oil, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic. The dish is garnished with toasted sesame seeds and can be served with steamed rice or noodles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed |
| Chicken Seasonings | Coarse sea salt, baking soda, garlic powder, tapioca or potato starch |
| Vegetables | Yellow bell pepper, French petite green beans |
| Honey Sesame Sauce | Sweet chili sauce, honey, apple cider or white vinegar, coconut aminos, coarse sea salt, tapioca starch |
| Other Ingredients | Avocado oil or oil spray, toasted white sesame seeds (for garnish), lemon juice or rice vinegar |
| Allergens | Wheat, soy, sesame, eggs, milk, gluten |
| Serving Suggestions | Steamed Jasmine rice or coconut rice, fried rice, chow mein, green onion paratha, crab rangoons |
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What You'll Learn
The chicken: crispy, battered pieces of chicken breast
The chicken in Panda Express' Honey Sesame Chicken is a key part of the dish. It consists of crispy, battered pieces of chicken breast that are lightly coated in a sweet and savoury honey sesame sauce. The chicken is cut into small, bite-sized pieces, and the batter is made using both wet and dry ingredients.
The wet batter is made by whisking together eggs, salt, and black pepper. Each piece of chicken is fully coated in this mixture. The dry batter consists of flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper, which are placed in a ziplock bag. The chicken pieces are then transferred from the wet batter to the ziplock bag, ensuring any excess wet batter is allowed to drip off first. The bag is then sealed and shaken to ensure each piece of chicken is fully coated in the dry batter.
Once the chicken pieces are coated, they are fried in vegetable oil in a deep frying pan until golden and crispy. The chicken can be pan-fried or air-fried. It is important to not overcrowd the pan, so the chicken may need to be fried in batches. Once cooked, the chicken pieces are removed from the oil and placed on a wire rack to allow any excess oil to drain off.
The honey sesame sauce can be made while the chicken is frying. This sauce is what gives the dish its distinctive flavour and sticky coating. It is made with sweet chilli sauce, honey, apple cider or white vinegar, coconut aminos, coarse sea salt, and tapioca starch. Lemon juice or rice vinegar can be used instead of white vinegar, but the sauce won't taste as tart. Toasted sesame oil is also sometimes added to the sauce, but this is not necessary.
Once the sauce is made, the chicken pieces are tossed in it to ensure they are fully coated. The dish is then ready to serve, often with a garnish of sesame seeds and accompanied by vegetables such as green beans and bell peppers.
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The sauce: a sweet and tangy honey sesame sauce
The sauce is what makes Panda Express's honey sesame chicken so addictive. It's sweet, tangy, and vinegary, providing the perfect balance to the savoury chicken. The sauce is made with honey, apple cider or white vinegar, sweet chilli sauce, and coconut aminos. Some recipes also include soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, sesame oil, and minced garlic.
The sauce is simple to make and absolutely delicious. It can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until needed. When making the honey sesame chicken, the chicken is tossed in the sauce after frying, ensuring each piece is coated in the sticky, sweet, and tangy sauce. The sauce is an essential part of the dish, giving it its distinctive flavour and adding a slight stickiness to the crispy chicken.
The honey sesame sauce is also versatile and can be adjusted to personal preference. For example, lemon juice or rice vinegar can be used instead of white vinegar, although the sauce won't be as tart. Store-bought sweet chilli sauce can be used, but it's essential to taste and adjust the seasoning as it may be saltier. Additionally, if using soy sauce, start with half the recipe quantity and adjust as needed, as it tends to be saltier than coconut aminos.
The sauce is a key component of the dish, and its unique flavour and texture make the honey sesame chicken a popular and addictive menu item at Panda Express. The combination of sweet and tangy flavours, along with the slight stickiness, creates a truly mouthwatering experience. This sauce is definitely a standout and a big part of why people keep coming back for more.
The honey sesame sauce is not only delicious but also versatile. It can be used as a dipping sauce for other dishes or as a glaze for grilled meats. It adds a unique flavour to any dish it's used in and is a great way to elevate simple meals. The sauce is definitely a key player in the success of Panda Express's honey sesame chicken, and it's no wonder that it has gained a loyal following.
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Vegetables: bell peppers, green beans, and sesame seeds
The vegetables used in the Honey Sesame Chicken at Panda Express are bell peppers, green beans, and sesame seeds. The bell peppers are yellow and the green beans are French petite. These vegetables are sliced and chopped, respectively, and then sautéed in a pan with sesame oil until golden and soft. They are then set aside while the chicken is prepared. The vegetables add sweetness, colour, and crunch to the dish.
Bell peppers are vibrant in colour and are sliced into thin, crispy strips for the Honey Sesame Chicken. They are a member of the nightshade family and are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as fibre.
Green beans are also known as string beans and are a type of legume. They are a nutritious vegetable, providing vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fibre and minerals. Green beans have a crisp texture and a mild flavour, making them a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes.
Sesame seeds are tiny, flat seeds with a nutty flavour and a delicate crunch. They are a good source of protein, fibre, and healthy fats, as well as various vitamins and minerals. Sesame seeds are often used as a garnish or topping on dishes, adding both flavour and texture.
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Preparation: the chicken is fried then tossed in the sauce
To prepare Panda Express honey sesame chicken, you'll first want to cut the chicken breasts into small pieces or cubes. Next, prepare a wet batter by whisking together eggs, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the wet batter, ensuring each piece is fully coated. In a separate container, mix together the dry batter with flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Transfer the chicken pieces from the wet batter to the dry batter, shaking off any excess wet batter, and coat the chicken evenly.
Now, heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan. Once the oil is hot, add the battered chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry the chicken until it is golden brown and crispy. Remove the fried chicken from the oil and drain any excess oil on a wire rack.
In a separate pan, sauté the sliced yellow bell peppers and chopped green beans in sesame oil until they are golden and soft. Set the vegetables aside.
Finally, it's time to toss the fried chicken in the honey sesame sauce. You can make this sauce by combining sweet chili sauce, honey, vinegar, coconut aminos, salt, and tapioca starch. Garnish with toasted white sesame seeds.
You can serve the honey sesame chicken with steamed jasmine rice, coconut rice, fried rice, or chow mein. Enjoy your homemade Panda Express honey sesame chicken!
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Serving suggestions: rice, noodles, crab rangoons
Honey Sesame Chicken from Panda Express is a delicious dish with a perfect balance of sweet and savoury flavours. The chicken is coated in a mouth-watering honey sesame sauce and served with colourful bell peppers and green beans. This tasty dish can be enjoyed in a variety of ways and here are some serving suggestions:
Rice
Rice is a classic accompaniment to Honey Sesame Chicken. You can choose from a variety of rice options such as steamed Jasmine rice, coconut rice, fried rice, or even green onion paratha. The rice will soak up the delicious sauce and provide a hearty base for the dish.
Noodles
For a more filling option, serve the Honey Sesame Chicken with noodles. The noodles will add a satisfying texture and bulk to the dish. You can choose from a variety of noodle types such as wheat noodles, rice noodles, or egg noodles.
Crab Rangoons
If you're looking for a unique side dish, crab rangoons are a perfect choice. These crispy, fried dumplings are filled with a creamy crab mixture and will add a tasty contrast in texture and flavour to the Honey Sesame Chicken. They are the perfect addition to a Chinese takeout-style spread.
Customization and Variations
The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility. You can customize it to your taste preferences or dietary needs. For a healthier option, consider baking or air-frying the chicken instead of deep-frying it. You can also experiment with different vegetables, such as adding broccoli or carrots. Additionally, feel free to adjust the sauce to your liking by using store-bought or homemade sweet chilli sauce, or adding a twist with soy sauce or lemon juice.
Remember to be mindful of potential allergens in the dish, such as wheat, soy, sesame, eggs, and milk, and always check the ingredients to ensure a safe dining experience.
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Frequently asked questions
The honey sesame sauce is made from sweet chili sauce, honey, apple cider or white vinegar, coconut aminos, coarse sea salt, and tapioca starch.
The vegetables included in the honey sesame chicken are green beans and yellow bell peppers.
The allergens in the honey sesame chicken are wheat, soy, sesame, eggs, and milk.
