Name: Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (Panda Express Copycat)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Chinese
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

Jump to Recipe

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.

There is a black bowl with white rice. On top of the white rice is pieces of cooked broccoli and small pieces of chicken in a dark sauce. There are small light yellow sesame seeds sprinkled over the chicken. There is a set of dark brown chop sticks resting on the rim of the bowl. The bowl is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

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!

There is a dark gray skillet with small cooked pieces of chicken mixed in a dark sauce. There are small light yellow sesame seeds sprinkled over the chicken.

Homemade Panda Express Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

There is a large white bowl with small pieces of raw chicken in it. There are three smaller white bowls. One bowl has brown sugar in it, one has a dark brown liquid in it, and the third white bowl has a light brown liquid in it. There are three small clear bowls. One bowl has a light brown liquid in it, one has a light yellow liquid in it, and the third one has white powder in it. There are three very small clear glass bowls. One has ground black pepper in it, one has salt in it, and the third one has light yellow sesame seeds in it. There is a chunk of light brown ginger root, four cloves of garlic, and four long green onions. Items are on a white and black terrazzo surface.

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

There is a large white bowl with small cooked pieces of chicken mixed in a dark sauce. There are a few small light yellow sesame seeds sprinkled over the chicken. The bowl is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

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

There is a large white bowl with small pieces of raw chicken. There is a small clear glass bowl with a light yellow liquid in it. There are two very small clear glass bowls. One bowl has ground black pepper in it and the other one has salt in it. Bowls are on a white and black terrazzo surface.

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

There is a large white bowl with small pieces of raw chicken mixed with oil, salt and pepper in it. There is a pair of silver kitchen tongs resting in the bowl. The bowl is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Mix until the chicken pieces are thoroughly coated.

Set aside.

There is a large dark gray skillet with small pieces of raw chicken in it. The skillet is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Heat a large skillet on medium high heat.

Add the chicken pieces.

There is a dark gray skillet with small cooked pieces of chicken in it. The skillet is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

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

There is a dark gray saucepan. In the saucepan is a dark liquid, with a mound of minced garlic, grated ginger, and brown sugar in it. There is a wooden spoon resting in the pan. The pan is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

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.

There is a dark gray saucepan. In the saucepan is a dark liquid mixture of minced garlic, grated ginger, and brown sugar in it. There is a wooden spoon resting in the pan. The pan is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Once boiling, reduce the temperature to low heat.

There is a small clear glass with white powder and water in it. There is a silver spoon resting in the bowl. The bowl is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

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

There are small cooked pieces of chicken mixed in a dark sauce. There are small light yellow sesame seeds sprinkled over the 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!

Yield: 6 servings

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.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

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.