How to Make Panda Express Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken at Home — Their Spiciest Dish EVER — Homemade
Panda Express' newest and spiciest menu item ever — crispy fried chicken tossed in a fiery Buldak hot sauce-based sweet and sour glaze with onions, bell peppers, and pineapple. A collaboration with the Buldak brand that just went nationwide in March 2026.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- boneless skinless chicken thighs 1.5 lbs
- cornstarch 0.75 cup
- all-purpose flour 0.5 cup
- large eggs 2 pieces
- vegetable oil (for frying) 3 cups
- red bell pepper 1 piece
- green bell pepper 1 piece
- yellow onion 0.5 piece
- pineapple chunks (drained) 1 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
- Buldak hot sauce 0.25 cup
- ketchup 0.25 cup
- rice vinegar 2 tbsp
- soy sauce 1 tbsp
- sugar 3 tbsp
- garlic powder 0.5 tsp
- salt 0.5 tsp
- black pepper 0.25 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
56 g
43%
Protein
26 g
20%
Fat
21 g
37%
Cooking steps
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1
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Pat dry with paper towels to help ensure a crispy fry.
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2
Set up a breading station: in one bowl, beat the eggs. In a second bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, 1/4 tsp salt, and black pepper.
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3
Coat each chicken piece in the egg, then dredge in the dry cornstarch-flour mix, pressing to adhere. Let rest for 5 minutes (for extra crunch, a viral hack from TikTok).
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4
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches, without overcrowding, for 5-6 minutes until golden and super crispy. Drain on a rack.
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5
While chicken fries, stir-fry sliced onion and bell peppers in 1 tbsp of the frying oil for 2 minutes over high heat. Add pineapple chunks and toss till lightly caramelized; set aside.
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6
In a saucepan, combine Buldak hot sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and garlic powder. Heat over medium, stirring, until glossy and bubbling (about 3 minutes).
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7
Add fried chicken, sautéed vegetables, and pineapple to the sauce. Stir well to coat everything in that fiery red glaze. Serve immediately for max crunch and color.
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8
Viral tip: Plate this in a wide serving dish so the vibrant red sauce and sunny pineapple pieces are clearly visible—Panda Express and TikTok both nail the color pop!
Personalized Q&A
Q. Is this the same recipe from TikTok and Panda Express?
Yes! This homemade version uses Buldak hot sauce, crispy fried chicken, and the classic sweet & sour glaze like the viral Panda Express collab. The inclusion of pineapple, bell peppers, and onions also matches the signature TikTok look and flavor explosion.
Q. Is this recipe actually easy to make for beginners?
While there are a few steps—breading, frying, and tossing in the glaze—each is simple and doesn't require special equipment. Most of the cook time is frying, and all the ingredients are easy to find in a grocery store.
Q. Can I customize this recipe for less heat or different veggies?
Definitely! You can reduce the Buldak hot sauce or swap in Sriracha for a milder version. Add other veggies like snap peas or carrots if you want. Just keep the pineapple—it’s key to the sweet and spicy vibe.
Q. Is Panda Express Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken healthy?
Each serving is about 520 kcal, with 56g carbs, 26g protein, and 21g fat. It’s indulgent, thanks to frying and the sweet glaze, but packs real protein. Enjoy it as a treat, not an everyday dish!
Q. Why did this dish go viral on TikTok?
It's all about the fiery red sauce, the satisfying crunch of fried chicken, and the color pop from bell peppers and pineapple. The Buldak hot sauce collab added a spicy twist that had TikTokers doing ‘heat challenges’—plus, it just looks wild on camera!
