Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

If you’re craving something both comforting and excitingly flavorful, this Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is about to become your new go-to. Imagine crispy golden chicken strips mingling with sweet, tangy, and just-spicy-enough honey sauce, all tossed with brightly sautéed veggies. What’s even better? This dish is totally gluten-free and Dairy-Free, perfect for sharing with friends or family, regardless of dietary preference. Whether you’re on weeknight dinner duty or just want a fun kitchen project, you’re minutes away from a homemade version of a takeout favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken spin on Panda Express’s classic leans on simple pantry staples and fresh veggies, each playing a key role in creating those iconic flavors. Here’s how each ingredient builds the taste, crunch, or irresistible color of your finished dish.

• Egg: Acts as a binding agent for that signature crispy coating on the chicken.
• Salt & Black Pepper: The essential seasoning duo that ensures every bite is flavorful.
• Olive Oil: Adds healthy fats and helps the chicken brown during frying and gives a wonderful sheen to sautéed veggies.
• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Gives you a lovely, light crunch in the chicken batter without gluten.
• Cornstarch: Key for an airy, super-crispy exterior—you won’t miss the dairy at all.
• Baking Soda: A touch of lift to keep your chicken velvety inside underneath that crisp shell.
• Chicken Fillets: The star protein, best cut into even strips for perfectly uniform bites.
• Yellow Bell Pepper: Adds sweetness, crunch, and that sunny pop of color to every forkful.
• Green Beans: Their earthy snap contrasts beautifully with the sticky sweet sauce.
• Vegetable Oil: For deep frying the chicken so it’s shatteringly crisp.
• White Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle these on at the end for a gentle nutty aroma and a pretty finish.
• Honey: The heart of your sauce, delivering deep golden sweetness that clings to every piece.
• Gluten-Free Hot Sauce: Brings the heat and punch that makes this dish pop, while staying Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances sweetness in the sauce, giving it a bright, tangy backbone.
• Lemon Juice: Another layer of fresh, tart flavor to wake up your palate.
• Filtered Water: Helps bring out the right sauce consistency, nothing chalky here!
• Cornstarch (for sauce): Thickens the glaze so it shines gorgeously over chicken and veggies.

How to Make Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Egg Wash

Start by cracking an egg into a medium mixing bowl. Add your salt, pepper, and one tablespoon of olive oil. Whisk this trio vigorously—a good froth ensures every strip of chicken will later lock in flavor and stay extra juicy beneath its batter. This step is the secret to Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken chicken that’s never dry or bland.

Step 2: Create the Crispy Coating

In a separate bowl, combine your gluten-free all-purpose flour, three tablespoons of cornstarch, and half a teaspoon of baking soda. Give it a few good whisks to aerate and blend evenly. This coating creates that classic crispiness Panda Express fans love, but all Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken.

Step 3: Dredge the Chicken

Drop your sliced chicken strips into the frothy egg mixture, making sure they’re fully coated. Lift them out one by one, letting the excess drip off, and tumble each strip in your flour-cornstarch mixture. Shake off any extra—this will help the exterior crisp up instead of clumping.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken Strips

Heat enough vegetable oil in a heavy skillet (aim for about 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep) and bring it up to 350°F. Fry your chicken in batches—don’t crowd the pan! Each strip needs about 6 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway until gloriously golden. Once perfect, transfer your Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken chicken to napkins or a rack to cool and drain.

Step 5: Sauté the Veggies

Grab a fresh pan, pour in your remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and toss in those vibrant bell pepper strips and green beans. Sauté over medium-high heat for about five minutes, just enough to soften slightly but keep their crisp-tender bite and gorgeous color. Your Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken dish now boasts maximum visual appeal.

Step 6: Make the Sauce

While the veggies sizzle, prepare the sauce. Combine honey, gluten-free hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, filtered water, and a tablespoon of cornstarch in a saucepan. Stir well while bringing it to a gentle boil over medium heat, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens into a beautiful, sticky glaze without any lumps. The Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken sauce truly sets this dish apart!

Step 7: Bring Everything Together

Add your fried chicken strips and sautéed veggies right into the fragrant sauce. Toss or stir gently until each piece is beautifully coated. Let everything warm together for 2 to 3 minutes so flavors meld and every bite is luscious and satisfying. This is the step that turns simple ingredients intoEasy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken magic!

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Transfer your masterpiece to a platter and shower generously with white sesame seeds. The nutty crunch is subtle but elevates the dish—don’t skip it! Your homemade Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is ready to impress.

How to Serve Easy Gluten-Free Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

A finishing sprinkle of white sesame seeds is a must for that signature aroma and visual sparkle. Sometimes, I love adding a few chopped fresh chives or a zest of lemon for extra brightness. Feeling fancy? A scattering of sliced green onions or a drizzle of more sauce right before serving makes this Dairy-Free dish pop.

Side Dishes

This Dairy-Free honey sesame chicken loves to be paired with fluffy jasmine rice or basic steamed white rice—it helps soak up all that gorgeous sauce! If rice isn’t your thing, try serving it atop quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lighter option. A crisp Asian-style slaw or stir-fried greens round out the meal perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or meal-prep purposes, arrange the chicken and veggies in individual bowls, then drizzle the sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds just before eating. Tuck some Dairy-Free honey sesame chicken into lettuce wraps for an appetizer platter, or skewer the pieces for a fun twist that’s easy to grab at any potluck.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once fully cooled, pop any leftover Dairy-Free) chicken and veggies into an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh and delicious in the fridge for up to three days. Storing the sauce separately, if possible, keeps the coating at its best for reheating.

Freezing

You can freeze cooked Dairy-Free) honey sesame chicken for an easy future meal. Place cooled, sauced chicken and veggies in freezer-safe bags or containers, squeezing out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It’ll stay tasty for up to two months.

Reheating

For best results, thaw frozen Dairy-Free) chicken in the fridge overnight if reheating from frozen. Warm it up gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or pop it in the microwave in short bursts, stirring between intervals. Add a splash of water if the sauce looks too thick, and garnish with extra sesame seeds to refresh that classic flavor.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are rich and tender and work beautifully in this Dairy-Free) recipe. Just trim them well and slice into evenly sized strips for even frying.

Is this dish suitable for meal prep?

Yes, Dairy-Free) panda-style chicken is meal prep friendly! Simply store the components separately, and assemble with rice or veggies for quick midweek meals. The sauce keeps the chicken moist even after reheating.

Can I make this without frying?

If you’d like to skip deep frying, air-fry or oven-bake the coated chicken strips on a rack at 400°F until crispy, about 18-20 minutes. You’ll still have a Dairy-Free) dish full of flavor and crunch.

What’s the best way to make the sauce extra smooth?

For a lump-free Dairy-Free) glaze, be sure to whisk cornstarch thoroughly into the liquid ingredients before heating, and don’t rush the boiling process. If you see any lumps forming, whisk vigorously until the sauce becomes glossy and clear.

Can I substitute another sweetener for honey?

Definitely! Maple syrup or agave syrup both work beautifully in this Dairy-Free) recipe. The flavor profile will shift a little, but you’ll still get that sticky, shiny finish that makes this dish so crave-worthy.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so satisfying about making your own Dairy-Free) version of a beloved takeout favorite—especially when it’s this craveable, crispy, and packed with sweet-and-tangy flavor. Give this recipe a try, and you’ll see just how easy it is to make healthy, allergy-friendly comfort food at home. You’re going to love every sticky, golden bite!

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