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A portion of Orange Chicken (Panda Express Style) with a glossy sauce and garnished with green onions

Quick way to grow Orange Chicken (Panda Express Style) skills

This recipe provides a quick and easy way to replicate the popular Panda Express Orange Chicken at home, focusing on simple steps and readily available ingredients for a satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 0.5 cup cornstarch
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • 0.25 cup water
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
Orange Sauce
  • 0.05 cup orange juice
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 0.25 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp ginger grated
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water for cornstarch slurry

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Small saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Tongs or slotted spoon
  • Meat thermometer (optional)

Method
 

Breading and Frying Chicken
  1. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces and pat dry.
  2. Whisk cornstarch, flour, egg, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl to create a batter.
  3. Toss the chicken pieces in the batter until fully coated.
  4. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Fry chicken in batches for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, then remove and drain.
  6. Reheat oil to 375°F (190°C) and fry chicken again for 1-2 minutes until extra crispy, then remove and drain.
Making Orange Sauce
  1. Whisk together orange juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan.
  2. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat.
  3. Mix cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry.
  4. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce and cook until thickened.
Combining and Serving
  1. Add the fried chicken to the orange sauce and toss to coat evenly.
  2. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

For extra crispiness, ensure your oil temperature is consistent during frying. You can adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer red pepper flakes. Serve with steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.