Irresistible Honey Sesame Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Delicious and satisfying, this copycat Panda Express honey sesame chicken recipe gives you a lighter, healthier spin on this classic American Chinese comfort food! Discover how you can whip up your own honey and sesame chicken right in your kitchen for a dinner your whole family will rave about. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, making it friendly for many diets.

If you haven’t had a chance to try this popular dish from Panda Express (the biggest American Chinese takeout chain in North America), get ready for a real treat!

Alongside fan favorites like orange chicken and broccoli beef, honey sesame chicken is a go-to choice on their menu.

Imagine crunchy, battered chicken strips fried to golden perfection, paired with bright sautéed yellow bell peppers and crisp green beans, all smothered in a glossy sweet-and-sour honey sauce with a subtle kick of heat. To top it all off, a generous sprinkle of nutty white sesame seeds finishes this crave-worthy dish.

Just thinking about it is making me hungry… YUM!

Hey there! You’re about to make a delicious restaurant-style classic right at home. This honey sesame chicken recipe is a lighter, gluten-free, and dairy-free version of the popular Panda Express dish. Picture crispy battered chicken strips tossed with colorful bell peppers and green beans, all covered in a shiny, sweet-and-tangy honey sauce with a little heat and finished with sesame seeds for that perfect crunch. It’s the same bold flavors you love from takeout, but made from scratch with simple, easy-to-find ingredients you can trust.

As you scroll down, you’ll find clear, step-by-step instructions complete with photos to guide you: whipping up the egg wash and flour coating, frying the chicken until crispy and golden, quickly sautéing the veggies, stirring up that signature honey sesame sauce, and then bringing it all together for a lovely finish. You’ll also find the printable recipe card at the bottom with exact measurements. The entire dish comes together in about 40 minutes, making it great for busy weeknights. Plus, I’ve included plenty of tips on substitutions, how to make the sauce ahead, storing leftovers, and reheating so you can customize to your liking.

• What to grab: pantry basics, fresh chicken, and fresh produce like yellow bell pepper and green beans.
• What you’ll do: bread and fry the chicken, sauté the veggies, whip up a sweet-and-savory honey sesame sauce, and toss everything together.
• How to enjoy: this honey sesame chicken loves being served over fluffy steamed white rice, but brown rice, cauliflower rice, or even on its own all work beautifully.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

• Everyday Ingredients: All the ingredients in this Panda Express honey sesame chicken are easy to find at your local grocery store—no special trips required!
• Straightforward Cooking: While this recipe involves a few simple steps, each one is easy to follow, even if you’re new to frying or stir-frying.
• Bold Flavors: Crispy chicken strips dipped in a lightly spicy, sweet, and tangy honey sauce paired with tender veggies—that’s comfort food done right. If you crave more sticky-sweet heat, try our Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken for another take on these flavors.
• Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: This recipe is designed to be totally gluten-free and dairy-free, making it safe for those with food sensitivities or preferences. Looking for a meatless spin with the same sticky-sweet vibe? Crispy Honey Garlic Tofu is a quick vegetarian alternative.

Ingredients and Pantry Staples

• 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, sliced into thin strips
• 2/3 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-2 inch pieces
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup gluten-free hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup filtered water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Cut chicken fillets into strips.
2. Remove seeds and stem from the yellow bell pepper and slice into thin strips.
3. Trim green beans and cut into 1–2 inch pieces.
4. Beat one egg with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp olive oil until smooth.
5. Whisk together 2/3 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour, 3 tbsp cornstarch, and 1/2 tsp baking soda in a separate bowl.
6. Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture, coating thoroughly.
7. Roll the egg-coated chicken in the flour mixture and shake off excess.
8. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet or wok to 1–1½ inches deep (about 350°F).
9. Fry chicken strips 6–7 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy.
10. Use a slotted spoon to transfer fried chicken to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
11. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a clean skillet over medium-high heat.
12. Stir-fry bell pepper strips and green beans about 5 minutes until tender but still vibrant.

13. In a saucepan over medium heat whisk 1/2 cup honey, 1/3 cup hot sauce, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tbsp cornstarch; bring to a gentle boil, whisking until thick and smooth.

14. Add the fried chicken and sautéed veggies to the sauce and toss to coat; warm together 2–3 minutes.
15. Sprinkle white sesame seeds over the finished chicken.

Pro Tips and Serving Ideas

• Switch Proteins: Want to try something different? Swap the chicken for pork, fish—try this Sesame Ginger Asian Tuna Steak—or tofu to match what you have or what your family prefers.
• Make Sauce Ahead: The honey sesame sauce keeps well in the fridge for a few days, so you can prepare it ahead of time for an easy weeknight dinner.
• Serving Ideas: This honey sesame chicken tastes amazing with steamed white rice, but I’ve also enjoyed it with brown rice and cauliflower rice, or with a simple side like lemon-garlic roasted broccoli. It’s also good on its own if you want a lighter meal.

Variations and Ingredient Swaps

• Egg: The egg helps glue the flour coating to the chicken for maximum crispiness. If you’re avoiding eggs, aquafaba or commercial egg replacers will work well.
• Salt: I stick with fine table salt, but fine sea salt or Himalayan pink salt are great substitutes.
• Black Pepper: A little ground black pepper adds a nice subtle kick. Leave it out if you want a milder flavor.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil works beautifully here. You can also use other veggie oils like sunflower, corn, avocado, or even sesame oil.
• Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend a light gluten-free all-purpose flour blend made from rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch, or potato starch. Avoid heavier flours like chickpea flour to keep the coating light. If gluten isn’t a concern, regular wheat flour works perfectly.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch is key for that crispy coating. If you don’t have it, potato starch or tapioca starch make good stand-ins.
• Baking Soda: A pinch of baking soda adds extra crispness when frying. Ensure yours is gluten-free if that matters to you.
• Chicken Fillets: I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts because they fry up tender and juicy. If you prefer to grill instead of fry, try Grilled Sesame Chicken.
• Bell Pepper: Yellow bell peppers are traditional in this dish and add a nice sweetness, but red or green peppers work, too. Cut into strips or bite-sized pieces—whichever you prefer.
• Green Beans: Classic string or green beans add a lovely crunch and freshness.
• Vegetable Oil: Use a neutral oil for frying like sunflower, corn, or vegetable oil.
• Sesame Seeds: White sesame seeds are classic, but mixing black and white seeds adds a fun twist.
• Honey: Honey is the star here, so I don’t recommend swapping it out.
• Hot Sauce: Adjust the heat level to suit your taste; add more or less hot sauce as you like. Use gluten-free hot sauce if needed.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: This brings a bright tartness that balances the honey’s sweetness, making that fabulous sweet-and-sour flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a clean, refreshing note – it’s well worth the extra step! For another way lemon lifts honey-based sauces, see this honey-lemon vinaigrette on peach bacon salad.

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating

Cool the chicken and sauce to room temperature (no longer than 2 hours) before storing to keep everything fresh. For best results, store the fried chicken separately from the sauce and veggies to avoid sogginess.

Refrigerator: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer (optional): The honey sesame sauce freezes beautifully for up to one month. Freeze it in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty bag. Fried chicken can be frozen but may lose some crispness; store it sealed tight and try to use within a month. Thaw the sauce overnight in the refrigerator and use it to jump-start our Delicious Sesame Chicken for an easy weeknight dinner.

Reheating:

• Skillet: Warm chicken over medium heat in a lightly oiled skillet, turning often for 2–5 minutes until hot and crispy again.
• Oven: Reheat chicken on a baking sheet at 350°F (175°C) for 8–12 minutes uncovered to bring back crispiness.
• Microwave: Fast but softens the coating. Heat in short bursts on medium power. Finish in a hot pan to crisp up if you like.
• Sauce: Gently warm the sauce on the stove, whisking in a splash of water if needed to loosen the texture, then combine with reheated chicken and veggies right before serving.

Make-ahead: The sauce can be made a few days ahead and refrigerated. You can also prep your chicken by cutting and coating it in advance; fry it fresh for the best crunch. For a bake-and-reheat-friendly option, try our Chicken Zucchini Bake.

Common Questions Answered

Sadly, Panda Express’s original honey sesame chicken isn’t gluten-free because they use wheat flour to coat the chicken before frying. So, their version isn’t safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

But don’t worry—this homemade, gluten-free and dairy-free copycat recipe lets you enjoy that takeout flavor without the worry. If you’re craving more takeout-style stir-fries, try our Beef and Broccoli with Stew Meat. For a quicker sweet-savory option on busy nights, our Sweet and Savory Honey Garlic Ground Turkey is ready in 25 minutes.

Is Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Gluten-Free?

No, the Panda Express version is not gluten-free. According to their website, they don’t offer gluten-free options, so it’s not safe for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

How to Store Gluten-Free Sesame Chicken

This honey sesame chicken is best eaten right away to enjoy the crispy coating. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept up to 3 days in the fridge. When reheating, use the microwave or a skillet to warm it up before eating.

Notes

Egg: The egg acts as a glue for the coating. If you need an egg-free option, aquafaba or egg replacers work well here.

Salt: Fine table salt works great, but you can substitute with sea salt or Himalayan pink salt.

Black Pepper: Adds a gentle peppery kick. Omit if you prefer milder flavor.

Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is my favorite, but any vegetable oil like sunflower or avocado oil will do.

Gluten-Free Flour: Choose a light, quality gluten-free all-purpose blend made with flours like rice, tapioca, or corn starch. Avoid heavy bean flours.

Cornstarch: Key for crispy coating. Potato starch or tapioca starch are good swaps if needed.

Baking Soda: Helps crisp the coating. Use gluten-free if necessary.

Chicken Fillets: Boneless, skinless breasts are ideal for tender, juicy strips.

Bell Pepper: Yellow for the classic look, but red or green are fine too. Cut as you prefer.

Green Beans: Fresh green beans add crunch and sweetness.

Vegetable Oil: Neutral oils for frying work best—sunflower, corn, etc.

Sesame Seeds: Classic white sesame seeds give nuttiness. Black and white mix adds pretty contrast.

Honey: Integral to the sauce’s flavor, so I don’t recommend substitutions.

Hot Sauce: Adjust to taste for heat and color. Use gluten-free sauce if needed.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances the sweetness with a bright tang.

Lemon Juice: Fresh squeezed is best to brighten the sauce.

Storing: Best fresh, but leftovers keep well for up to 3 days refrigerated if stored properly. Reheat gently to keep texture.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian