Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken is crispy chicken tossed in a tangy sweet sauce with garlic, ginger, brown sugar & orange juice! Make this easy fast-food favorite right at home!
Who doesn’t love the crispy, tangy goodness of Panda Express’s Orange Chicken? This delightful dish combines tender chicken with a zesty orange glaze that leaves your taste buds wanting more. With each step clearly laid out, this Panda Express orange chicken recipe rivals the original. Try it for dinner tonight!
Make Orange Chicken for Dinner!
- Simple ingredients. The ingredients are easy to find and the process is straightforward. This makes it suitable for cooks at all skill levels who want to enjoy a takeout favorite at home.
- The recipe is flexible. It allows using different cuts of chicken, such as thighs or breasts. Adjusting the spice level with red pepper flakes helps cater to various tastes too!
- Texture & Flavor. The crispy exterior of the chicken perfectly complements the sweet and tangy orange glaze. Each bite offers a delightful contrast in taste & texture.
Ingredients for Panda Express Orange Chicken
Oil: You will need some light oil for frying the chicken in, amount determined by your pan size. Plus 2 TBSP for the batter as well.
Chicken: Use 2 pounds of chicken tenderloins, cut into bite size pieces. You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts if you prefer.
Cornstarch: Adding cornstarch helps create a nice crispy coating for the chicken.
Flour: 1 ½ cup of flour is needed for the base of the batter.
Egg: Bind the ingredients together with 1 egg.
Water: Thin out the batter by adding some water to the mixture.
Orange Sauce
Red pepper flakes: Give this dish a subtle kick of spice with ¼ tsp of red pepper flakes. Add more or less depending on how spicy you like it.
Seasonings: For a nice earthy flavor add 2 TBSP of minced garlic and ½ tsp of ground ginger.
Sugars: You will need ½ cup of EACH granulated sugar and brown sugar to give this sauce it’s signature sweet flavor.
Orange juice: Using orange juice will give this the citrus taste we all know and love.
Vinegar: ½ cup of white distilled vinegar balances out the rich ingredients.
Soy sauce: You need 4 TBSP of soy sauce.
Sesame oil: Adding sesame oil enhances the overall taste of the sauce.
Water: Use cold water to mix the cornstarch with.
Cornstarch: You need 3 TBSP of cornstarch to thicken the sauce perfectly.
Tips for Making Panda Express Orange Chicken at Home
Full instructions in the recipe card below, here are just a few tips for making a delicious dish.
- Oil Selection for Frying: Light oils with high smoke points are best for frying. Options include vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. The amount of oil depends on the size of the pan but should be enough for shallow frying to create a crispy exterior on the chicken pieces.
- Create the Crispy Coating: Cornstarch is key for crispiness because it dries out during frying, producing a crunchier texture than flour alone. The combo of flour and cornstarch firmly locks in moisture inside the chicken while producing a golden, crunchy outside.
- Bringing the perfect Citrus Flavor: Using fresh or high-quality orange juice is recommended for a vibrant flavor. This ingredient ensures the sauce isn’t overly sweet and keeps the bright, fruity character that complements the chicken perfectly.
How long is this Panda Express Orange Chicken good for?
The cooked orange chicken is best enjoyed fresh. If there’s any leftover, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freezing is an option, and it should be consumed within a month for best quality.
Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- Light oil for frying
- 2 lbs. chicken tenderloins cut into bite size pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 ½ cup flour
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup water
- 2 TBSP oil
Orange Sauce
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 TBSP garlic minced
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup orange juice
- ½ cup white distilled vinegar
- 4 TBSP soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 3 TBSP cold water
- 3 TBSP cornstarch
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into small bite sized pieces and heat the oil in large skillet, over medium high heat. The amount of oil is determined by the size of your skillet.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine and whisk the cornstarch, flour, egg, ¾ cup water, and 2 TBSP of oil. Add the chicken to the batter and stir well to coat.
- Place the batter coated chicken in the frying pan, in batches, and fry for 5-6 minutes until the pieces are golden brown. Remove the chicken and place on a paper towel lined plate, repeat until all the chicken is cooked.
- In a separate medium sized skillet add the red pepper flakes, minced garlic, ginger, sugar, brown sugar, orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Whisk the mixture over medium-high heat until it comes to a gentle boil, continue to cook and whisk for 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl combine the 3 TBSP of cornstarch and 3 TBSP of cold water, then whisk the mixture into the bubbling sauce. Continue to cook until the sauce has thickened, then remove from the heat.
- Toss the fried chicken pieces with the sauce to coat well. Serve over rice with a side of steamed broccoli, garnish with scallions or sesame seeds if you like. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Add ins & Variations for Orange Chicken
There are many ways to customize Orange Chicken for personal taste. Here are some fun ideas:
- Vegetables: Add bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas for a pop of color and texture.
- Nuts: Toss in cashews or sesame seeds to enhance crunch and richness.
- Pineapple: Incorporate pineapple chunks for a sweet and tangy twist.
- Tofu: A great plant-based option for a vegetarian dish.
- Shrimp: Offers a lighter flavor profile, complementing the orange glaze.
What ingredients are required for a simple orange chicken sauce?
A basic orange chicken sauce consists of orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. These ingredients combine to create the sweet and tangy flavor typical of orange chicken.
Is there a healthier alternative to Panda Express orange chicken?
A healthier alternative can be created using baked chicken instead of fried chicken. Replacing sugar with honey or a sugar substitute and using less soy sauce can also help lighten the dish while maintaining flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Orange Chicken
This copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken pairs well with various side dishes. The classic choice that balances the dish’s flavors is serving with steamed rice. Fried Rice adds a savory twist with additional vegetables or proteins. A crispy complement that enhances the meal experience is serving egg rolls alongside this dish.
Asian-Inspired Chicken Recipes and Takeout Favorites:
If you love takeout-inspired chicken recipes, there are so many delicious dinners to try next! Copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is another sweet and savory favorite that tastes just like the restaurant version, while Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken is an easy family dinner packed with flavor. Chicken Teriyaki Casserole brings those same Asian-inspired flavors to a simple casserole dish, and Coconut Curry Chicken is another flavorful dinner made with a rich, savory sauce. For more sweet and savory chicken recipes, try Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken or Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken for easy weeknight meals the whole family will love.
For more family dinner favorites, Best Homemade Chicken Strips and McDonald’s Copycat Chicken Nuggets are two of our most popular chicken recipes and always a hit with kids. Zesty Italian Chicken is another simple chicken dinner made with easy ingredients, while Easy Smoked Chicken Legs are perfect for family dinners, cookouts, and weekend meals.
Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken is made from the comfort of your home with simple ingredients! This tender chicken is coated with a crispy, light batter and coated in a sweet orange glaze!
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