PANDA EXPRESS ORANGE CHICKEN (COPYCAT)

Panda Express Orange Chicken is the most popular recipe on the Panda Express menu and I’m sure you all know why! This recipe will make you dance a little in your chair as you eat it because it is just right on the money!


This recipe is different than the orange chicken recipe with orange marmalade that is SUPER popular online because the sauce in that recipe is based on a mixture of barbecue sauce and orange marmalade. While some of the pictures may look slightly similar, this Panda Express Orange Chicken is going to taste a lot different.

Looking for the ENTIRE Panda Express Recipe List? I have recreated the entire menu on the blog and have a Panda Express Recipe Index so you can easily access them! I have an entire section of the site dedicated to your favorite copycat recipes too!



If you would like to kick up the heat a little bit and make this a spicy orange chicken, I suggest about 1/2 tablespoon of Sriracha mixed into the sauce. Any additional heat you can add with crushed red peppers.

If you’re looking to make your Orange Chicken healthy I have THE EXACT SAME Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe on the blog adapted for a much healthier meal. Look at Ground Orange Chicken (1 Pan!) and I even make it into a burrito (which was AMAZING) —> Orange Chicken Burrito. Most people make a version of baked orange chicken to lighten the calories, I do it instead with ground chicken which is browned really well first to give the crispy texture without the breading.

INGREDIENTS
FOR THE CHICKEN:

• 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1" pieces
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 2 tbsp oil divided, plus more for frying
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup flour

FOR THE SAUCE:

• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 2 tablespoons rice wine
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 10 tablespoons sugar
• 10 tablespoons white vinegar
• zest of 1 orange

TO FINISH:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger root minced
• 2 teaspoons garlic minced
• 1/2 tsp hot red chili pepper crushed

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Note: click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.
2. To make the sauce combine the 1 tablespoon cornstarch, rice wine, water, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar and orange zest.
3. To coat the chicken add the egg, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon oil into a bowl and whisk together in a large bowl.
4. .................................

for full instruction please see : dinnerthendessert.com