Panda Express Chicken Egg Rolls Copycat Recipe

Panda Express chicken egg rolls are one of the most popular items on the menu, and for good reason! Crispy wrapper, savory chicken filling, tender cabbage and carrots, and that satisfying crunch with every bite.

This copycat recipe nails the flavor and texture using simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store. The filling comes together in under 10 minutes and the whole recipe is ready in about 35 minutes. You can fry them for the full Panda Express experience, or bake them for a lighter option.

Since you're here, don't miss these Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoons too!

How to Roll an Egg Roll

Egg rolls are one of the easiest authentic Chinese recipes to make because they only take a few simple ingredients and a few easy steps. Rolling them is the hardest part, but if you know how to roll a burrito, you can roll an egg roll.

Place your wrapper out in a diamond with a point pointing at you. Place filling in the triangle closest to you. Then, roll that up and fold in the two sides. Once you fold in the sides, roll one or two more times, and you've wrapped your egg roll!

It's as easy as that and the best part is that you can make these as a snack, a meal served with salad, or as an appetizer for the holidays or even game days.

Panda Express Chicken Egg Roll Ingredients

For the Filling

Vegetable Oil: is used to keep your garlic, ginger, and veggies from sticking to your pan. You can also use cooking spray. 

Garlic and Ginger: are both aromatics and add a delicious smell and savory flavor to your egg rolls. 

Chicken: is used as the protein in this recipe. I like to use simple rotisserie chicken so that it cuts back on time and tastes delicious. You can also use ground turkey breasts, shrimp or just leave the chicken out for a veggie egg roll.

Cabbage and Carrots: are both added to your egg rolls for a little bit of crunch and color. 

Green Onions: have a mild onion flavor that won’t overpower the other flavors in your recipe. 

Glass Noodles or Mung Bean Noodles: will help add extra texture to the egg rolls.

Soy Sauce: adds an umami and authentic Chinese flavor to your copycat egg rolls. I like to use low sodium so they don’t get too salty.

Sesame Oil: has a nutty, earthy flavor that pairs well with the soy sauce and sugar when added to the chicken. 

Sugar: pairs well with the salty, savory, and earthy flavors while adding a hint of sweetness. 

Salt and Pepper: adds and enhances flavor. 

For Assembling

Egg Roll Wrappers: can be found in the international aisle of your local grocery store. I prefer egg roll wrappers over spring roll wrappers. 

Water: helps with sealing the wrappers. 

Vegetable Oil: is used for frying your Panda Egg Rolls.

How to Make Panda Express Chicken Egg Rolls

1. In a large skillet or wok, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Add the shredded cabbage and grated carrots to the skillet. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
3. Add the shredded chicken, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and chopped green onions to the skillet. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and well-seasoned. Add in the glass noodles, and stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool down.

4. Lay out one egg roll wrapper with one corner pointing towards you (like a diamond shape). Place a couple of tablespoons of the filling mixture in the center of the wrapper. Fold the bottom corner up over the filling.

5. Then fold in the sides, and roll it up tightly, sealing the top corner with a bit of water to make it stick.

6. In a large, deep skillet or pot, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the egg rolls into the hot oil and fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Don't overcrowd the pan to keep the oil at the right temperature; fry them in batches if necessary.

7. Remove the fried crispy chicken egg rolls and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce like sweet and sour or plum sauce!

Can You Bake Panda Express Egg Rolls?

Of course!

Instead of frying your egg rolls, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Once preheated, place your egg rolls on a prepared baking sheet and put in the oven for around 25 minutes.

They should be golden brown and a little darker around the edges.

What Can I Substitute for Egg Roll Wrappers?

If necessary, you can use spring roll wrappers, wonton wrappers, or rice paper. They’re thinner, so when you’re rolling them up, be a little more careful so that they won’t rip. Spring roll wrappers also absorb less oil, so they’ll be a little lighter.

What Should I Serve with Panda Express Chicken Egg Rolls?

The best thing about this recipe is that you can eat it for an appetizer, a great snack, or a quick lunch or dinner.

If you want to serve them as an appetizer or snack, I like to serve them with your favorite sauce, like yum yum sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or sweet chili sauce. 

As a side dish, I recommend serving them with Orange Chicken or Sesame Chicken. 

If you want to serve them as a main dish for lunch or dinner, feel free to serve them with a side of fried or brown rice, lo mein, or chow mein. 

Tips for Making the Best Panda Express Egg Rolls

• Use fresh oil: Fresh, clean oil gives you that golden crispy exterior. If your oil looks dark or smells off, start fresh.
• Let the filling cool before wrapping: Hot filling creates steam inside the wrapper, which can make the exterior less crispy. Spread the filling on a baking sheet to cool faster.
• Don't overcrowd the pan: Fry in batches. Adding too many egg rolls at once drops the oil temperature, and you end up with greasy, pale egg rolls instead of crispy ones.
• Cut your veggies consistently: Evenly sized pieces cook at the same rate. You don't want crunchy carrots next to mushy cabbage.
• Watch the color, not just the clock: Egg rolls continue cooking for about 30 seconds after you pull them from the oil. Pull them when they're a shade lighter than you want.

How to Store and Reheat Panda Express Egg Rolls

Egg rolls are best fresh out of the oil, but they reheat well if stored properly.

Let the egg rolls cool completely on a wire rack before storing. This keeps condensation from making the wrapper soggy. Once cool, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To freeze, place cooled leftover egg rolls in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They keep for up to 1 month.

To reheat: skip the microwave. Reheat in an air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes, or in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until crispy again. If reheating from frozen, do not thaw first; cook straight from frozen, or the wrapper will go soggy.

Panda Express Chicken Egg Roll FAQs