Easy Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

This easy copycat Panda Express teriyaki chicken recipe will be your new one-pan favorite! Tender chicken thighs in a sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce. This is a one-pan recipe great for a simple week night meal with easy cleanup! Serve over steamed rice with sautéed veggies or a fresh cucumber salad. An extra drizzle of teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds finishes off this popular dish.

Its amazing how simple this recipe is and how quickly it comes together. While the chicken thighs sear, the teriyaki sauce can be combined in a bowl. If serving with rice, have the rice going while the chicken is cooking. I also like to prep any garnished ahead of time so they are ready.

Highlights of this chicken recipe and why you’ll love it:

• One-pan meal: this meal cooks up easily and makes clean up a breeze. I use a large sauté pan so all of the chicken thighs fit in one batch and everything is done at the same time.
• Healthier version: making this teriyaki chicken at home is a healthier option compared the fast food option, you can choose your ingredient quality and adjust ingredients as desired. Organic ingredients can be used and you can use simple ingredients better serve to gluten and soy allergies at home.
• Customizable: this dish will work with chicken thighs or chicken breasts and the sauce can be made sweet or spicy as desired. The topping and side dish choices can be customized as this dish goes well with so many things. Making this a great meal for the whole family!
• Budget friendly: making this dish at home is much more affordable then buying the fast food version. Chicken thighs are a very budget friendly cut and they are so versatile and forgiving. Serving this with steamed rice and a veggies makes a filling complete meal that won’t break the bank.
• Family favorite: kids and adults will love this dish! I like to serve with different topping and side dish ideas so everyone can create their own white rice or noodle bowl! This dish is also a great source of protein for everyone.

This delicious and simple teriyaki chicken recipe is great as a weeknight meal for the whole family. All you need is a large sauté and everything whips up seamlessly in one pan, which makes for easy clean up! Looking for some side dish ideas this post will help you find 35 Easy Side Dishes to Serve with Teriyaki Meatballs (these are also great ideas to go with teriyaki chicken).

Ingredient List & Ingredient Notes:

• Chicken thighs: use boneless skinless chicken thighs, boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or leftover grilled chicken breast.
• Olive oil: extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil can all substitutes.
• Soy sauce: coconut aminos or tamari can be a substitute to traditional soy sauce if you need a gluten free or soy free option.
• Light brown sugar: this adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the sauce, coconut sugar can be an option as well.
• Arrowroot powder: I prefer arrowroot powder as my thickener as it doesn’t get as clumpy, cornstarch can be a substitute.
• Ground ginger: the ginger flavor is iconic in Panda Express teriyaki sauce, ground or fresh ginger can be a substitute.
• Garlic powder: fresh garlic can be a substitute.
• Sesame seeds: add as many as you like! I lovvee sesame seeds and tend to go overboard, so use at your own discretion – these make a great garish. If I have them, I like a mix of white and black sesame seeds.

How to make the Panda Express copycat recipe (with step by step instructions):

Let’s talk a little about how to make this teriyaki chicken (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Quick overview:

• Season and sear chicken thighs.
• In a bowl combine teriyaki sauce ingredients.
• Add teriyaki sauce to the pan with the chicken.
• Cook until thickened.
• Serve chicken with extra sauce and sesame seeds.

1: Firstly, heavily season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.

2: Secondly, sear chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides, 3-5 minutes per side.

3. In a small bowl combine brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, arrowroot powder, soy sauce, and water. Stir well to combine.

4. After searing the chicken thighs on both sides, add in the teriyaki sauce mixture.

5. Heat over medium heat until sauce thickens. Flip chicken to coat both sides in sauce.

6. Lastly, serve as is or over rice with your favorite vegetables, top with sesame seeds. Leftover teriyaki chicken will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Tools I used for this easy chicken recipe:

• Shallow Bowls – I love this matching set, it is perfect for serving the chicken over rice or steamed veggies.
• Tongs – A must kitchen utensil, perfect for flipping the chicken. I love these locking tongs for saving space.
• Sauté pan: I love this non-stick sauté pan for several things, it is large enough to sear the entire pound of chicken thighs at once and the sauce does not stick to the pan.

If you like this Easy Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe, try these other favorite recipes…

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Easy Instant Pot Teriyaki Meatballs Recipe

Copycat Panda Express Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers in the Air Fryer

Sesame Ginger Orange Chicken Salad

Easy Crispy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Recipe

Recipe tips for perfect teriyaki chicken:

• If sauce gets too thick thin with a bit of water (thinning with soy sauce will make this too salty).
• If sauce gets too thin thicken with a bit of arrowroot powder or cornstarch, a little goes a long way.
• Hot oil to sear the chicken is the best way to get a golden brown crust and extra flavor.
• Sear evenly so the chicken thighs cook evenly and all sides get a nice golden color. A large skillet or sauté pan is best for this. Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 before consuming.
• Coconut aminos can be used instead of soy sauce for a soy-free, gluten-free substitute that isn’t quite as salty. Coconut aminos has a bit more sweetness.

Recipe FAQ’s:

What can I serve with my teriyaki chicken?

This teriyaki chicken goes good with a side of rice, avocado slices, cold cucumber salad, and sliced green onions. Some other ideas are cauliflower rice, sautéed or roasted vegetables, soba noodles, lo mein, or fried rice!

What is in the teriyaki chicken at Panda express?

This famous dish is made with tender chicken thighs in a thick sweet glaze of teriyaki sauce. With flavors of garlic and ginger, the homemade teriyaki sauce offers the perfect amount of flavor for the lightly seasoned chicken thighs. Topped with sesame seeds for garnish.

How to store leftover panda express teriyaki chicken?

Chicken teriyaki is great as a leftover, simply allow to cool completely and transfer to an airtight container. Sauce can be kept separately if desired. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.