Name: Homemade Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken (Copycat)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2lbs chicken thighs; 2tbsp oil; ¼ cup soy sauce; 1/3 cup water; 1 tsp lemon juice; 2tbsp water and cornstarch mixture; 2/3 cup sugar; ½ tsp grated garlic; ¼ tsp ginger

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Teriyaki chicken from Panda Express is a comfort food to many. It is flavorful, the chicken is tender, and everything just blends well. If you are a fan of it, here is everything that you should know about Panda Express teriyaki chicken.

We will also feature a homemade recipe that you can recreate in the comfort of your homes, so dig into this post for all things Panda Express chicken teriyaki.

Table of Contents

panda express teriyaki chicken recipe top

What is Panda Express teriyaki chicken made of?

Panda Express teriyaki chicken screams Asian cooking. It is made with juicy, grilled chicken breast, glazed with the flavorful teriyaki sauce and topped with sesame seeds.

The sauce is made of ginger, garlic, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. The stir-fry tofu and veggies on the side are a major plus to this superb dish.

Panda Express teriyaki chicken calories and nutrition

For health-conscious individuals, digging into Panda Express teriyaki chicken can be a gamble. Based on a 6oz serving, this dish contains 300 calories. Along with this would be fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, and sugar. It is also a good source of protein.

Tools used in the recipe

In cooking your own Panda Express teriyaki chicken, you should score the following tools:

How to make panda express teriyaki chicken

It may have lots of ingredients, but teriyaki chicken from Panda Express is relatively easy to make. All in all, you can do it for at least 20mins including preparation and cooking time.

It starts with light grilling the chicken in a skillet, followed by making the teriyaki sauce. You will find a step-by-step instruction of how to make one as you go through this post.

Rub the chicken with canola oil and let sit in a mixing bowl while you heat up the pan.
Toss in the oiled chicken in the pan and cook each side for 5mins.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside for a while.
Make the teriyaki sauce in a separate pan. Mix garlic, ginger, sugar, lemon juice, water, and soy sauce. Bring to boil and then simmer for 3mins.
Pour the cornstarch mix on the sauce and stir until it thickens.
Plate the chicken and drizzle with teriyaki sauce.
Top with sesame seeds. Serve with rice and stir-fry veggies or grilled pineapples.

As most common Asian dishes have, it is topped with sesame seeds, giving it a light crunch and grit. It is also served with stir-fry veggies with the same signature umami taste as the chicken.

Usually, the veggies are also cooked with a dash of soy sauce and mirin. So overall, it has a cohesive taste from chicken to sides. It is perfect with steamed rice.

Want to try more Panda Express copycat recipes:

How to store Panda Express teriyaki chicken

It should be stored the way all leftover food is stored: transfer in an airtight container or resealable bag. It should be noted however, that when it comes to saucy dishes like teriyaki chicken, they could only last in the fridge for three days max. On the fourth day, they are already prone to bacteria so be sure to mark that up.

What does Panda Express teriyaki chicken taste like?

Panda Express teriyaki chicken tastes sweet, a bit salty and tangy with the signature umami taste of Asian cooking, thanks to soy sauce and mirin. It is no wonder why it is a well-loved dish.

What to serve with Panda Express teriyaki chicken?

Thinking of what to side with your own Panda Express teriyaki chicken? Here is some of the best pairs to this dish that you can make:

Asian salad bowl
Sauteed asparagus in oyster sauce
Sesame ginger broccoli
Stir-fry noodles
Stir-fry vegetables
Soba noodles
Corn on the cob
Roasted vegetables
Fried/basmati rice
Mashed potatoes
Fruit skewers

Teriyaki chicken might be screaming Asian, but it is a versatile dish that calls for varied sides.

Related:

Is Panda Express teriyaki chicken healthy?

Teriyaki chicken is one of the most acclaimed options in Panda Express. As a matter of fact, it has been rated as the top pick healthy dish of Panda Express since 2016 by reputable review sites and blogs.

With its 200-300 calorie range and 36g of protein per serving, it is already a complete meal which gives a feeling of satiety. So yes, in moderation, Panda Express teriyaki chicken is a healthy choice.

Is Panda Express teriyaki chicken keto-friendly?

As a Chinese restaurant, you would expect rice, dumplings, and lots of spring rolls there. At first, you would think that there is no keto-friendly dish in Panda Express but turns out, teriyaki chicken without sauce would pass for a keto diet.

Is Panda Express teriyaki chicken gluten-free?

Unfortunately, teriyaki chicken and almost all dishes in Panda Express are not gluten-free. Since most have mirin (which can have wheat content) and soy sauce (which is made of soya and crushed wheat), it cannot be considered as a gluten-free dish.

Panda Express teriyaki chicken vs chipotle

Although Panda Express and Chipotle differ significantly when it comes to menu, they are often pitted with one another because they are both American fast-food restaurants that feature non-American dishes. Panda Express offers a variety of Asian dishes while Chipotle is Mexican.

So where do you go for your teriyaki chicken cravings?

If you are craving for that umami taste and the traditional sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce, go for Panda Express teriyaki chicken. But if you are looking for more fire or spiciness in your teriyaki chicken, go for Chipotle.

If you want chicken bite cuts and rice, go for Panda Express. If you want teriyaki buffalo chicken wings with lots of herbs and spices, go for Chipotle.

When it comes to teriyaki chicken, there is a fine line between Panda Express and Chipotle but when boiled down, it is always a matter of preference.

Homemade Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken (Copycat)

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

If you want to save time and money, you should make your own version of the Panda Express teriyaki chicken. Here is a recipe to follow.

Ingredients

2lbs chicken thighs
2tbsp oil
¼ cup soy sauce
1/3 cup water
1 tsp lemon juice
2tbsp water and cornstarch mixture
2/3 cup sugar
½ tsp grated garlic
¼ tsp ginger

Instructions

Rub the chicken with canola oil and let sit in a mixing bowl while you heat up the pan.
Toss in the oiled chicken in the pan and cook each side for 5mins.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside for a while.
Make the teriyaki sauce in a separate pan. Mix garlic, ginger, sugar, lemon juice, water, and soy sauce. Bring to boil and then simmer for 3mins.
Pour the cornstarch mix on the sauce and stir until it thickens.
Plate the chicken and drizzle with teriyaki sauce.
Top with sesame seeds. Serve with rice and stir-fry veggies or grilled pineapples.

Notes

Use a pigtail flipper for better flipping and grill pan for cooking the chicken thighs. If the grill pan is not available, any skillet will do.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size 8
Amount Per ServingCalories 300Total Fat 13gCholesterol 185mgSodium 530mgCarbohydrates 8gSugar 8gProtein 36g

Conclusion

panda express teriyaki chicken recipe bottom

Panda Express teriyaki chicken is a hearty dish and a complete meal. Its Asian roots makes it one of the most acclaimed foods in the Panda Express menu.

It offers a fusion of flavors, from sweet, to tangy, to that sought-after umami taste. But more than that, it is also a healthy option for protein-based diets such as keto.

While it is not vegan and gluten-free, teriyaki chicken is still a well-loved dish from Panda Express.

Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken (Copycat)