Crispy Orange Chicken Recipe Like Panda Express Makes It

Panda Express orange chicken recipe offers the beloved takeout favorite straight to your home kitchen, delivering that signature balance of sweet citrus glaze and crispy coating everyone craves.

What makes this dish so popular is its ability to satisfy comfort food cravings while offering a flavor profile that feels both familiar and exciting.

The combination of savory and sweet notes creates an addictive quality that explains why it's one of the most ordered items at the restaurant chain.

When you recreate this at home, the control over freshness and portion sizes becomes a major advantage.

The crispy exterior paired with tender meat coated in that glossy sauce hits all the right notes for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.

Best of all, making it from scratch costs less than ordering out and gives you complete confidence in what goes on the plate.

Time to bring that food court classic to life in a way that might just surpass the original.

Why You’ll Love Panda Express Orange Chicken

• Quick Kitchen Win: This copycat recipe lets you enjoy restaurant-quality orange chicken without leaving home, saving you money and satisfying your takeout cravings in your own kitchen.
• Simple Ingredient Magic: Everything needed is probably already in your pantry, making this a stress-free meal that doesn’t require a special grocery trip.
• Family Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults alike will devour these crispy, tangy chicken pieces, turning dinner into a delightful shared experience that brings everyone to the table.
• Skill-Builder Dish: Even cooking novices can master this recipe, gaining confidence with each crispy, sauce-coated bite and expanding their culinary repertoire without feeling overwhelmed.

Ingredients Behind Panda Express Orange Chicken

• Chicken Breast (1 pound): Diced meat that creates the protein foundation of the dish.

• All-Purpose Flour (1 cup): Helps create a crispy exterior for the chicken.
• Cornstarch (1/2 cup): Adds extra crunchiness to the chicken coating.
• Egg (1): Binds the flour and cornstarch together for a smooth batter.
• Water (1/2 cup): Helps create the right batter consistency.

• Soy Sauce (1/4 cup): Provides a savory depth to the orange sauce.
• Orange Juice (1/2 cup): Delivers the signature citrus flavor for the dish.
• Sugar (1/2 cup): Balances and sweetens the sauce.

• Minced Garlic (1 tablespoon), Minced Ginger (1 tablespoon): Adds aromatic warmth and complexity.
• Rice Vinegar (1 tablespoon): Brings a subtle tangy note to the sauce.
• Sesame Oil (1 tablespoon): Introduces a rich, nutty undertone.

• Vegetable Oil (for frying): Used to achieve golden, crispy chicken pieces.

What Tools Recreate Panda Express Orange Chicken

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining your batter ingredients and ensuring smooth, even coating on each chicken piece.
• Whisk: Essential for blending flour, cornstarch, egg, and water into a lump-free, silky batter that will crisp up beautifully.
• Deep Frying Pan or Wok: Provides the ideal depth and surface area for achieving golden, crunchy chicken without overcrowding.
• Tongs: Your best friend for safely moving chicken in and out of hot oil, keeping your hands protected and handling pieces with precision.
• Paper Towels: Crucial for draining excess oil and ensuring your chicken stays crisp instead of soggy.
• Smaller Saucepan: Perfect for simmering and reducing your tangy orange sauce to the right consistency.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring sauce and gently coating chicken without breaking the crispy exterior.
• Cutting Board: Needed for prepping chicken and chopping any additional garnishes like green onions.
• Sharp Knife: Required for cutting chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces that cook evenly.

How to Make Panda Express-Style Orange Chicken

Cook Smarter Notes for Orange Chicken

• Whisk your batter until smooth to get a crispy, even coating that clings perfectly to each chicken piece.
• Keep your oil at 350°F for golden, crisp chicken that’s never greasy or soggy.
• Taste your orange sauce before adding chicken to ensure the sweet-tangy flavor hits just right.
• Drain fried chicken on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep the crispy exterior from getting soggy.
• Sprinkle some chopped green onions on top for a fresh, bright finish that makes your dish look and taste amazing.

Orange Chicken with Takeout-Style Twists

• Gluten-Free Version: Swap wheat flour with almond or rice flour to make the batter safe for those avoiding gluten. Use about the same amount as the original recipe calls for.
• Lighter Healthier Choice: Bake the chicken instead of deep-frying by coating pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cooking at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until crispy and golden.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or cauliflower florets. Cut into bite-sized pieces and follow the same batter and sauce coating process for a plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the orange sauce for heat lovers who want an extra zingy flavor profile that brings some warmth to the classic recipe.

How to Serve Panda Express Orange Chicken

• Serve with Steamed Rice: Spoon the vibrant orange chicken over fluffy white rice for a classic restaurant-style experience that absorbs all the delicious sauce.
• Fresh Side Salad Pairing: Toss a crisp green salad with cucumber slices and a light sesame dressing to balance the rich, tangy chicken flavors.
• Veggie Complement: Quickly stir-fry some broccoli or snap peas to add color and nutrition alongside your golden orange chicken.
• Garnish with Flair: Sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top to give your dish that authentic takeout restaurant touch.

How to Store Panda Express Orange Chicken

• Stash leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it’ll stay tasty for about 3-4 days.
• Separate the chicken from the sauce before storing to keep the crispy texture intact, so each bite remains deliciously crunchy when reheating.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for quick future meals, making sure to label with the date.
• Reheat gently in a skillet to help the chicken maintain its crisp coating, avoiding the microwave that can make the breading soggy.

Panda Express Orange Chicken Common FAQs

Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Panda Express Orange Chicken rocks your weeknight dinner game with crispy, tangy chicken that tastes exactly like the restaurant favorite. Recreate this takeout classic right in your kitchen and watch your family devour every last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken breast
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 egg

Sauce Ingredients:

• ½ cup orange juice
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Supporting Ingredients:

• ½ cup water
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• Vegetable oil for frying

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Instructions

1. Whisk 1 cup flour, ½ cup cornstarch, 1 egg, and ½ cup water in a medium bowl until smooth and free of lumps.
2. Dice 1 pound chicken breast into bite-sized, uniform pieces about 1-inch square.
3. Thoroughly coat each chicken chunk in the prepared batter, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet, heating to 375°F for crispy frying.
5. Carefully drop battered chicken pieces into hot oil, cooking 3-4 minutes until exterior turns golden brown and crisp.
6. Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate, allowing excess oil to drain.
7. In a separate saucepan, combine ¼ cup soy sauce, ½ cup orange juice, ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon minced ginger.
8. Simmer sauce ingredients over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and becomes glossy.
9. Gently fold crispy chicken pieces into the warm sauce, ensuring each piece gets evenly coated.
10. Splash 1 tablespoon rice vinegar and 1 tablespoon sesame oil into the pan, stirring for final flavor integration.
11. Transfer sauced chicken to serving dish and garnish with optional green onion slices.

Notes

• Whisk the batter ingredients thoroughly to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth, even coating on the chicken.
• Let the chicken pieces rest after battering to help the coating adhere better during frying.
• Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 375°F for crispy, golden-brown chicken without absorbing excess oil.
• For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with rice flour or a gluten-free all-purpose blend, and use tamari instead of soy sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Chicken
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560 kcal
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg