Description
Panda Express Orange Chicken brings zesty Chinese-American flavors straight to your kitchen, letting you enjoy crispy chicken coated in a tangy, sweet sauce that rivals the restaurant classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 pounds chicken thighs
Starches:
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 cups cooked rice
Base Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 green onions
Instructions
- Chop 1 pound chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes, ensuring uniform bite-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
- Create breading setup using 2 separate shallow bowls: whisk 2 large eggs in one, mix 1 cup cornstarch with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper in another.
- Dunk each chicken cube into beaten egg, then thoroughly roll through seasoned cornstarch until completely covered.
- Pour 3 cups vegetable oil into a deep skillet, heating to 350°F over medium-high heat for approximately 5 minutes.
- Carefully place breaded chicken pieces into hot oil, frying 4-5 pieces simultaneously for 6-7 minutes until exterior turns golden brown and crispy.
- Simultaneously prepare sauce by combining ½ cup orange juice, ¼ cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, and 2 tablespoons rice vinegar in a separate saucepan.
- Simmer sauce ingredients over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and reduces by one-third.
- Transfer fried chicken pieces onto paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil for 2 minutes.
- Pour warm sauce directly over crispy chicken, gently tossing to ensure complete and even coating.
- Sprinkle 2 thinly sliced green onions over top as a fresh garnish before serving immediately.
Notes
- Coating the chicken well with cornstarch creates an extra crispy exterior that locks in moisture and gives that signature Panda Express crunch.
- When frying, maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F to ensure even browning without burning the chicken’s breading.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with gluten-free cornstarch and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
- Fresh orange zest can elevate the sauce’s flavor, adding a brighter citrus note that makes the dish taste more vibrant and authentic.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg