Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (Easy Copycat)

This Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken recipe is a quick and easy copycat version of the famous grilled teriyaki chicken served at Panda Express. Juicy chicken thighs are cooked until golden and coated in a sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar.

This easy weeknight dinner tastes just like the restaurant version and is perfect served over rice with vegetables.

What Is Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken?

Panda Express teriyaki chicken is a popular menu item made with grilled chicken thighs served with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. Unlike many teriyaki dishes, the sauce is usually served on the side so customers can drizzle it over sliced grilled chicken.

This homemade copycat recipe recreates the same flavors using simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients for Copycat Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Exact measurements can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

• Chicken Thighs: are the best protein for this recipe. Chicken thighs stay moist and have a lot of flavor. If you only have chicken breast, you can use those but be sure to check the internal temperature so they don't dry out. 
• Salt and Black Pepper: enhance the flavors of this Panda Express recipe. The black pepper does add a hint of spice. 
• Vegetable Oil: keeps your chicken from sticking to your frying pan. 
• Soy Sauce: is one of the main ingredients in your homemade teriyaki sauce.
• Water: helps thin out your sauce. 
• Rice Vinegar: is less acidic than other kinds of vinegar and has a more mild, sweeter taste.
• Honey: is great for adding sweetness to this recipe while also helping create the sticky, thick texture of teriyaki sauce. You can substitute this with agave nectar. 
• Brown Sugar: gives your teriyaki sauce the sweet flavor that it is known for. When brown sugar is heated, it turns into a thick, honey-like consistency, which is great for the texture of this sauce. 
• Garlic: adds a nutty, pungent flavor to your sauce. 
• Ginger: is added to most Asian-inspired recipes. It has a sharp, refreshing flavor with a hint of spice. 
• Cornstarch: mixes with water to create the slurry that helps thicken your sauce. 
• Optional: sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish.

Teriyaki Sauce Ratio

The key to the perfect teriyaki sauce is balancing soy sauce, sweeteners, and acid. A good rule of thumb is:

• 1 part soy sauce
• ½ part sweetener (brown sugar or honey)
• ¼ part acid (rice vinegar)

This creates the classic sweet and savory teriyaki flavor.

How to Make Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Cook the chicken for 3–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

4. In a saucepan combine soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, honey, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
5. Bring the sauce to a simmer for 2–3 minutes.

6. Mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry and stir into the sauce.
7. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
8. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken and cook for 1–2 minutes to coat.
9. Slice the chicken and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Recipe Variations

• Make it gluten-free. Instead of cornstarch, use arrowroot. Instead of soy sauce, use coconut aminos. 
• Make it vegan. Instead of chicken, use tofu or mushrooms as the base of the dish. 
• Make it colorful. Stir fry red bell peppers, broccolini, zucchini, and onion, and add it to your dish. 

Pro Tips 

• Spoon any leftover teriyaki sauce over rice to give your dish extra flavor.
• Make your sauce the night before to save time. 
• Add 2 more tablespoons of brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter teriyaki sauce.

What to Serve with Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

This teriyaki chicken tastes best with classic Panda Express or Asian-style sides such as:

• Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe Copycat
• Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein
• Panda Express Super Greens Recipe
• Benihana Copycat Hibachi Vegetables
• Din Tai Fung Green Beans Recipe Copycat

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Different?

Unlike traditional teriyaki chicken recipes where the chicken is cooked directly in the sauce, Panda Express grills the chicken first and then adds the sauce afterward.

This creates juicy chicken with slightly charred edges and a thick sweet teriyaki glaze.

What's the Difference Between Teriyaki Sauce and Soy Sauce? 

Soy sauce is simply made from fermented soybeans, salt, and water. In comparison, teriyaki sauce uses many different ingredients, including soy sauce. Teriyaki sauce is also much more sweet than soy sauce, which has more of an umami flavor.

How do I store leftover teriyaki chicken?

To store, allow your leftovers to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. 

To freeze, after your leftover chicken becomes room temperature, add it to a freezer-safe bag or container and put it in the freezer for up to two months. 

How do I reheat leftover Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken?

It depends on how your leftovers are saved. If your leftovers are refrigerated, you can easily place your leftovers in the microwave for one minute and then 30 second increments until warm.

If your leftovers are frozen, let them thaw completely before placing them in the microwave.