Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

If you have been to Panda Express then you know how tasty their meals are. We have the special Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe for you to make right at home.

This recipe is super easy to follow and great for kids and adults who love a chicken dish that is packed with flavor.

In this post, we will dive into this tasty recipe.

Why You Will Love This Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

This recipe is great for anyone who enjoys Asian-style food but wants to make it at home and have fun controlling what goes into their meal.

I personally love this Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe because it’s super versatile and you can make a fish or tofu variation of the dish.

Also with copy-cat recipes you can cut down on salt and control the amount of sugar that goes into a dish and you can make it match your diet preferences.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying

For the Orange Sauce

• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

Kitchen Equipment

• A big pan or wok for frying the chicken
• A saucepan for making the orange sauce
• Tongs or a slotted spoon to handle the chicken
• Mixing bowls for coating the chicken
• A whisk for mixing the sauce
• Paper towels to drain the fried chicken

How to Make This Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

Get the Chicken Ready

1. First of all, place the chicken pieces in a bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Then, set up three bowls: one in the flour, one in the beaten eggs, and yet the third bowl was in cornstarch.
3. Coat each piece of chicken with the flour then the egg and then the cornstarch.

Fry the Chicken

1. Pour the vegetable oil into the large pan and set it to medium-high heat.
2. Deep fry the chicken pieces in the hot oil until they are golden brown and crisp which will usually take about 3-4 minutes on each side.
3. After frying, put the cooked chicken aside on a plate that is covered with paper towels to prevent the retention of excess oil.

Make the Orange Sauce

1. Mix the orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, orange zest, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan.
2. Stir and let this cook over medium heat until it comes to a boil.
3. Stir it occasionally in order for the sugar to dissolve properly.

Thicken the Sauce

1. Pour the mixture containing cornstarch into the sauce while stirring.
2. Stir the sauce continuously until it thickens which should be about 2-3 minutes.

Mix the Chicken and sauce together

1. Place the fried chicken pieces gently into the thickened orange sauce and then use a spoon to stir the chicken pieces in the yummy sauce.

What to Eat With This Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

Typically this Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe will be paired with sticky rice or Subgum Fried Rice.

When it comes to veggies you could also have it with edamame and fresh salad which will make it healthier.

When it comes to drinks you can have this with a cola, Iced raspberry leaf tea, or a cold beer which will pair well with this recipe.

Tips

• If you want the recipe to be healthier then you can bake the chicken instead of frying it. Just put the chicken on a baking sheet and bake it at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, turning the pieces halfway through.
• If you are looking to boost the veggies in your diet then you can add broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers to the recipe which will add flavor.
• If you are a fan of spicy dishes then add more red pepper flakes or a little bit of hot sauce to the orange sauce.
• This dish is quite versatile and you can use shrimp, tofu, or pork instead of chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make the Sauce Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make the orange sauce up to two days in advance. Just keep it in the fridge and reheat it before you mix it with the chicken.

Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Thighs?

This is really up to you, chicken breasts will also work as well. Try not to overcook the chicken breasts since they dry up quicker.

What If I Don’t Want It Too Sweet?

If you prefer the recipe to not be too sweet then you can simply use less sugar and a bit more vinegar.

Can I Freeze This Dish?

You can easily freeze the chicken and sauce separately, but the texture might change a bit when you reheat it. If you freeze it, make sure you defrost it properly by putting it in the fridge overnight.

Wrapping Up

If you enjoyed this Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe, please share it with your friends and family!

Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more easy and delicious recipes you can try right at home.

Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

Recipe by JuliaCourse: MainCuisine: ChineseDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

450

kcal

Total time

35

minutes

Learn how to make the Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe at home! It’s easy, tasty, and just like the one you get at the restaurant.

Ingredients

• For the Chicken

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 1 cup cornstarch

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying

• For the Orange Sauce

• 1/2 cup orange juice

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon orange zest

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• 1 teaspoon minced ginger

• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

Directions

• Get the Chicken Ready
• First of all, place the chicken pieces in a bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Then, set up three bowls: one in the flour, one in the beaten eggs, and yet the third bowl was in cornstarch.
• Coat each piece of chicken with the flour then the egg and then the cornstarch.
• Fry the Chicken
• Pour the vegetable oil into the large pan and set it to medium-high heat.
• Deep fry the chicken pieces in the hot oil until they are golden brown and crisp which will usually take about 3-4 minutes on each side.
• After frying, put the cooked chicken aside on a plate that is covered with paper towels to prevent the retention of excess oil.
• Make the Orange Sauce
• Mix the orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, orange zest, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan.
• Stir and let this cook over medium heat until it comes to a boil.
• Stir it occasionally in order for the sugar to dissolve properly.
• Thicken the Sauce
• Pour the mixture containing cornstarch into the sauce while stirring.
• Stir the sauce continuously until it thickens which should be about 2-3 minutes.
• Mix the Chicken and sauce together
• Place the fried chicken pieces gently into the thickened orange sauce and then use a spoon to stir the chicken pieces in the yummy sauce.

Notes

• If you want the recipe to be healthier then you can bake the chicken instead of frying it. Just put the chicken on a baking sheet and bake it at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, turning the pieces halfway through.
• If you are looking to boost the veggies in your diet then you can add broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers to the recipe which will add flavor.
• If you are a fan of spicy dishes then add more red pepper flakes or a little bit of hot sauce to the orange sauce.
• This dish is quite versatile and you can use shrimp, tofu, or pork instead of chicken.