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Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 144 reviews

Panda Express Orange Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish featuring crispy, deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy orange sauce. This homemade recipe replicates the iconic restaurant-style flavor and texture with a crunchy exterior and luscious sauce, making it a perfect dish for family dinners or takeout cravings.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken

  • 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

Egg Mixture

  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tbsp sunflower oil or any neutral flavored oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper

Dry Breading

  • 3/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (heaping)

Orange Chicken Sauce

  • 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
  • 1/2 cup cane sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce or coconut liquid aminos
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 tsp zested ginger root, peeled
  • 1 Tbsp orange juice concentrate or 3 Tbsp orange juice
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp rice wine or apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized, approximately 1-inch pieces for even cooking. Preheat 2 inches of oil in a large pot or deep skillet to 350°F, suitable for deep frying.
  2. Make Egg Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, sunflower oil, salt, and pepper until combined to create a coating base.
  3. Prepare Dry Breading: In another bowl, mix the cornstarch and all-purpose flour thoroughly. This mixture will provide the chicken with a crisp texture once fried.
  4. Bread the Chicken: Dredge chicken pieces first in the egg mixture, then coat evenly with the flour and cornstarch mixture. Shake off any excess to avoid clumps while frying.
  5. Deep Fry Chicken: Fry the breaded chicken in batches in the preheated 350°F oil until golden crispy, about 5-7 minutes per batch, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  6. Make Orange Sauce: In a saucepan or large pot, combine vinegar, cane sugar, water, soy sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, crushed garlic, zested ginger, orange juice concentrate, cornstarch, sesame oil, and rice wine. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  7. Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the simmering orange sauce. Toss well to evenly coat each piece with the flavorful sauce.
  8. Serve: Transfer the coated chicken to a serving dish and enjoy immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier results, or chicken breasts for leaner meat.
  • Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control spiciness level.
  • Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best crispiness and minimal oil absorption.
  • Serve with steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Orange juice concentrate intensifies the orange flavor; if using fresh orange juice, increase quantity to 3 tablespoons.

Find it online: https://yummelle.com/panda-express-orange-chicken-recipe/