Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken Copycat is a delicious medley of sweet, tangy. and spicy that tastes just like the original, if not better. It's so easy to make and cheaper than eating out!
One of the things I find so much fun about food blogging as a living is the challenge of recreating restaurant favorites at home. Although often involving a series of trial and error, it's very rewarding to come up with a homemade version that's pretty close to, if not better, than the original.
If I may, ahem, say so myself, I've had a number of successes with copycatting recipes. Below are a few of my favorites if you'd like to check them out.
- Salt and Pepper Pork Chops-tender meat, crisp coating, full flavor, these fried pork chops are just like what you'd get from a Chinese restaurant!
- Baked Cheese Shrimp-these shrimps are what I beeline for every time I go to the all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant, Hokkaido, in Long Beach and I am glad I no longer have to make the trip to enjoy their cheesy, gooey awesomeness.
- Fried Chicken a la Max's Restaurant-although it takes a bit of work, this delicious-to-the-bone fried chicken gives the iconic Filipino restaurant a run for its money.
- Ginataang Gulay-the Magic Wok restaurant which inspired this recipe is just a hole-in-a-wall type of place in Cerritos but, in my humble opinion, serves the best Filipino food that side of California so I was pretty stoked that I was able to re-create one of the most popular dishes on their menu at home.
- Panda Express Firecracker Chicken Copycat-this popular Chinese restaurant chain was one of our favorite take-out places before G and I decided to be more sensible with our cents and refrain from eating out. I am glad I can now enjoy the big, bold flavors of their firecracker chicken for less.
- Green Bean Chicken and Black Pepper Chicken-ever wonder why the meat in Chinese stir-fries always comes out super moist and tender? The secret is out and it's velveting!
And now, the latest on the list, Panda Express sweet fire chicken copycat!
How do I even begin to describe this delectable dish? First, there's the sauce. It has the delicious flavors of your classic sweet and sour, but with a kick of heat from the addition of sweet chili sauce. Sweet, tangy, slightly spicy. and soo good, you can eat it with a spoon!
Sauce ingredients
- pineapple juice-for fruity and tangy tastes
- sweet chili sauce-adds sweetness and spice
- cornstarch-thickens the consistency
And then there's the tender-crisp bell peppers and onions, juicy pineapples, and crunchy chicken morsels. Smothered in the sweet fire sauce, they're pure heaven piled high on steamed rice!
Battered chicken for stir-fry
- The cornstarch and egg white batter does two things. It gives the chicken a crispy yet light coating as well as keeps it moist and tender through the velveting process.
- The recipe calls for chicken breast, but boneless dark Cut the chicken in uniform, bite-size pieces to ensure even and fast cooking.
- For best results, use enough and the right kind of oil for deep-frying such as safflower, peanut, grapeseed, or canola oil.
- Maintain the optimal temperature of 350 F to 375 F when deep-frying. Do not overcrowd the pan and cook in batches as needed to allow enough space to move the chicken freely and to keep the oil temperature from plummeting.
How to serve
- Serve with fried rice and chow mein noodles for a full Chinese takeout experience!
- To store leftovers, allow to cool completely and transfer to an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in the microwave at 2 to 3-min intervals until completely heated through, stirring well between intervals.
- For make-ahead meals, store the sauce and the meat and veggies in separate containers. When ready to serve, combine everything together in a wide pan and cook to an internal temperature of 165 F.
Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken Copycat
Sweet Fire Chicken Panda Express copycat recipe tastes just like the restaurant's, if not better. So easy to make and cheaper to make at home!
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 339kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into ¼-inch thick and 1-inch length
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- oil
- ½ small onion, peeled and cubed
- 1 small red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (packed in juice)
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ⅔ cup sweet chili sauce
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine egg white and cornstarch, and whisk until well-blended and frothy. Add chicken and let stand for about 8 to 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine pineapple juice, sweet chili sauce, and cornstarch. Stir until well-blended. Set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, heat about 2-inches deep of oil to about 350 F. Add chicken pieces and stir gently to separate. Deep-fry for about 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. With a slotted spoon, remove chicken and drain on paper towels. Keep warm.
- Remove excess oil from the pan except for about 1 tablespoon. Increase heat to medium-high heat.
- Add onions and bell peppers and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 to 3 minutes or until tender yet crisp.
- Add pineapples and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through. With a slotted spoon, remove from pan and keep warm.
- Stir the sweet chili sauce mixture to redistribute and add to the pan. Allow to boil for about 1 to 2 minutes until bubbly and thickened. Season with salt to taste.
- Add chicken, bell peppers, onions, and pineapples back into the pan. Gently toss to fully coat with sauce.
- Transfer onto a serving platter and garnish with sesame seeds, if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Use pineapple chunks packed in juice and NOT in syrup as it will be used to make the sweet and sour sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 542mg | Potassium: 730mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 1035IU | Vitamin C: 56.8mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? I'd love to see what you made!mention @Kawalingpinoy and hashtag your photo with #kawalingpinoy
Just tried this and it is very easy and tastes very delicious!
Thanks for the 5-stars! I'm glad the recipe worked well for you. Happy cooking!
is the pineapple juice you're referring to the syrup from the pineapple chunks? or is the unsweetened dole/del monte canned juice? thank you! planning to cook this next week.
I use pineapple chunks packed in juice and not syrup so there's no need to buy the canned juice. I updated the recipe card to clarify this.
I just found your website yesterday. Everything looks amazing. My mom's parents came to America from the Philippines soon before she was born, and I'm half Filipino so I've grown up eating a lot of Filipino food. (I still have to encourage myself to try balot) Looking through your website, I'm seeing so many recipes that my relatives made for me and that I loved but never learned the name of the dish, and now I can finally learn how to make them myself. ☺Finding this website means a lot to me. Thank you.
I am glad you found me, too. 🙂 I hope you enjoy and find the recipes useful.
I love the idea of this Sweet Fire Chicken! I will try this recipe as soon as I can get all the ingredients of it. My family would love this dish.
Enjoy!
I love all your recipes. Its so simple and easy to cook. I just arrive here in Edinburgh from hongkong. But at the moment, in the process of looking a house, and staying with my mum in law. I really can't wait so I am now planning to cook for my mother in law and let her taste our Pinoy food. She's a bit strict on her diet, but I could predict that with all your tasty , healthy, and easy to cook recipes, she will enjoy our food.
Thank you so much, Rodora. I am sure you're mother in law would love our food once she tries it 🙂
Delicious! Thanks!!!
Thanks for the feedback, Jael. I am happy to know that you're enjoying the recipes 🙂
Panda express makes great food and I am always trying to deconstruct their meals. You did a great job making a copycat recipe.
I love the idea of copycat recipes. Great job on this one!
You've got a bunch of great copycats! I can't wait to try them! I love Panda Express, and their prices are pretty decent per person, but since there are 5 of us, it can get spendy-- so making it at home is a great fix!
Hi Jamie
Yes, it's a clot cheaper to make them at home than going out and it's a lot of fun recreating the same flavors at home. Hope you give these copycat recipes a try 🙂