If you’re a Panda Express fan, you must know about their tasty teriyaki chicken dish!
With this simple recipe, you can recreate this delicious dish in the comfort of your own home.
This Panda Express copycat recipe is easy to make and versatile to suit your taste buds.
Why We Love This Recipe
Simple Ingredients: This recipe calls for common household ingredients, making it easy to whip up anytime.
Versatile: You can adjust the ingredients to cater to dietary preferences such as a keto diet or low-carb diet by substituting brown rice with cauliflower rice.
Savory Teriyaki Sauce: The homemade sauce is the star of this dish, infusing the chicken with a rich flavor that’s hard to resist.
Healthy Choice: By using skinless chicken breasts or thighs, brown rice, and plenty of veggies, this dish offers a healthier alternative to takeout.
A Family Favorite: This recipe is a crowd-pleaser!
Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a weekend gathering, this dish is sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings!

Homemade Panda Express Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

You will need the following ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Canola oil
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
Sauce Ingredients:
- Soy sauce – low sodium
- Sesame seed oil
- Brown sugar or white granulated sugar
- Apple cider vinegar – lemon juice or rice vinegar can be substituted
- Fresh garlic – you can use garlic powder
- Fresh ginger – ground ginger can be used
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Optional garnish – sliced green onions and sesame seeds

Helpful Tools and Equipment
- Cutting board
- Large kitchen knife
- Mixing bowl
- Small bowl
- Kitchen tongs
- Wooden spoon
- Large skillet
- Small saucepan
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Copycat Recipe

- Combine the chicken pieces with the canola oil, salt, and pepper.

- Mix until the chicken pieces are thoroughly coated.
- Set aside.

- Heat a large skillet on medium high heat.
- Add the chicken pieces.

- Cook for a few minutes on each side, until the chicken is cooked through.

- While the chicken is cooking, add the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and ⅓ cup of water to a saucepan and bring to a boil on high heat.

- Once boiling, reduce the temperature to low heat.

- Mix cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry.

- Add the water/cornstarch mixture to the pot and cook until the sauce thickens into a glaze.

- Pour the savory glaze over the chicken pieces and toss gently until well blended.

- Serve the teriyaki chicken over cooked brown or white rice, garnish with sesame seeds and/or green onions.
- For a complete meal, serve with your favorite vegetables.
See the recipe card below for complete measurements and cook times.
Recipe Tips
Grill or Pan Fry: You can grill the chicken for a smoky flavor or pan-fry it for a light crispy texture. Both methods are delicious.
Save Leftover Sauce: Any leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Use it as a marinade for grilled chicken or drizzle it over stir-fried veggies.
Mix Up Your Veggies: Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the dish for extra flavor and nutrition. Bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas are popular choices.
Serve With Variety: While white rice or brown rice is a classic choice, you can also serve this dish with cauliflower rice, fried rice, or chow mein noodles for a tasty twist.
Copycat Version of Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different cuts of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can use different cuts of meat! While chicken breasts or boneless skinless thighs are commonly used, you can also try this dish with beef, pork, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
Can you freeze this dish?
Absolutely! You can freeze cooked chicken teriyaki in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
Can I make my own teriyaki sauce?
Of course! Homemade teriyaki sauce can be made with the key ingredient of soy sauce.
Add brown sugar, garlic, fresh ginger, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice. You can add other ingredients to adjust the flavor of the sauce to suit your taste preferences.
How long does it take to cook chicken?
Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces and the cooking method used.
Generally, chicken breasts take about 6-8 minutes per side on medium-high heat, while thighs may take slightly longer.
So to sum it up, with just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create this copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken that is sure to impress everyone!
Say goodbye to the last-minute takeout orders and hello to homemade goodness any night of the week!
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (Panda Express Copycat)

If you're a Panda Express fan, you must know about their tasty teriyaki chicken dish!
With this simple recipe, you can recreate this delicious dish in the comfort of your own home.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame seed oil
- 2/3 cup brown sugar or white granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar – lemon juice or rice vinegar can be substituted
- 4 cloves fresh garlic (minced) – or 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger – or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1.5 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1/3 cup water + 2 tablespoons water
- Optional garnish – sliced green onions and sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with the canola oil, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until the chicken pieces are thoroughly coated. Set aside.
- Place a large skillet on the stove and heat it on high.
- Once heated, add the chicken thighs and cook them for 3-5 minutes on each side, until the chicken is cooked through.
- While the chicken is cooking, add the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and ⅓ cup of water to a saucepan and bring to a boil on high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the temperature to low heat and cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry.
- Add the water/cornstarch mixture to the saucepan after 2-3 minutes, then cook over low heat until the sauce thickens into a glaze.
- Pour the thick sweet glaze over the chicken pieces and toss gently until well blended.
Notes
Helpful Tools and Equipment
- Cutting board
- Large kitchen knife
- Mixing bowl
- Small bowl
- Kitchen tongs
- Wooden spoon
- Large skillet
- Small saucepan
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
Recipe Tips
Grill or Pan Fry: You can grill the chicken for a smoky flavor or pan-fry it for a light crispy texture. Both methods are delicious.
Save Leftover Sauce: Any leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Use it as a marinade for grilled chicken or drizzle it over stir-fried veggies.
Mix Up Your Vegetables: Feel free to add your favorite veggies to the dish for extra flavor and nutrition. Bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas are popular choices.
Serve With Variety: While white rice or brown rice is a classic choice, you can also serve this dish with cauliflower rice or chow mein noodles for a tasty twist.
To Reheat: Place teriyaki chicken in a microwave-safe bowl and reheat for 1-2 minutes or until thoroughly warmed.
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