(Better Than) Panda Express Orange Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
571 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
(Better Than) Panda Express Orange Chicken
Description
(Better Than) Panda Express Orange Chicken features bite-size chicken thighs coated in a thick batter made from cornstarch, flour, egg, and water. After chilling, the chicken is deep-fried at medium-high heat until crisp and golden. This frying method yields a crunchy exterior while keeping the meat tender inside.
The orange sauce is prepared separately by sautéing sesame oil with fresh ginger and garlic, then simmering a mixture of orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, rice vinegar, orange zest, and crushed red pepper to create a syrupy coating. The fried chicken pieces are then stirred into the sauce to evenly coat each piece.
This dish delivers a combination of sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors with a satisfying crispy texture on the chicken. It suits serving as a main course alongside steamed rice or vegetables for a complete meal.
For milder flavor closer to Panda Express, reduce ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper amounts. Adjusting the orange zest allows for tuning the citrus brightness in the sauce.
Ingredients
For the Fried Chicken –
- 2 pounds chicken thigh boneless
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 large egg
- 6 tablespoons water
- 2 quarts cooking oil peanut, coconut, or vegetable oil, for frying
For the Orange Chicken Sauce –
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons ginger fresh grated
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup orange juice fresh-squeezed or store-bought
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce low sodium
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- navel orange optional for extra orangeness, zest of 1
- ½ - 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/3 cup scallions chopped
Instructions
- Chop the chicken into 1-inch bite-size pieces.
- Set out a large mixing bowl. Add the cornstarch, flour, salt, and white pepper. Mix well. Then add in the egg, 3 tablespoon oil, and 6 tablespoons water. Mix into a thick smooth batter. Stir in the chicken pieces and coat well. Chill the chicken in the batter for at least 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, set a large sauce pot and pour in the remaining oil. Clip a cooking thermometer to the side of the pot, with the end submerged in the oil. Turn the heat on medium and bring the temperature of the oil to 350-375 degrees F.
- Set a paper towel lined plate to the side for draining the fried chicken.
- Then set a large sauté pan on another burner for the orange sauce. Add the sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes to soften. Then whisk in the orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, rice vinegar, orange zest, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a simmer and thicken into a heavy syrup. Then turn off the heat.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully drop the chicken pieces, one at a time, into the hot oil. Add about one-third of the chicken to the pot at a time. Stir with a skimmer and cook for 5-7 minutes until light-gold in color. Watch the thermometer and adjust the temperature if needed to keep the oil just over 350 degrees.
- Use the skimmer to move the cooked chicken pieces to the holding plate. Repeat in two more small batches.
- Once all the chicken is cooked, turn the heat back on for the orange chicken sauce. Stir to warm, then toss the fried chicken pieces in the sauce. Stir to coat all the pieces evenly. Then sprinkle with chopped scallions and serve warm.
Notes
- Adjust ginger and garlic quantities to make the flavor milder, halving them for a softer taste.
- Control spiciness by using only one pinch of crushed red pepper for a less spicy sauce.
- Adding or omitting orange zest modifies the intensity of the orange flavor in the sauce.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 571 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 571kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 179mg | 60% |
| Sodium | 1187mg | 49% |
| Potassium | 496mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 22g | 44% |
| Vitamin A | 449IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 22mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 54mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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