5 from 27 votes
Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat
This Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat features crispy fried chicken pieces coated with a glossy, sweet and tangy orange sauce. Using chicken thigh or breast, the chicken is coated in a cornstarch-flour batter and fried until golden and crunchy. The sauce is a blend of orange juice, soy sauce, sugars, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and hot pepper flakes that create a balance of bright citrus, savory, and mild heat flavors. The chicken is tossed in the sauce just before serving to retain its crispness.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
585 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken thigh or breasts work as well - cut into 1" pieces, boneless, skinless
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 2 tablespoons canola oil divided, plus more for frying
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup flour
Panda Express Orange Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 tablespoons rice wine
- 2 tablespoon water
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons white sugar
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 8 tablespoons white vinegar
- orange zest of 1
- 1 tablespoon ginger root minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl, whisk, and set aside.
- Add the egg, salt, pepper, and one tablespoon of oil into a shallow bowl and whisk together.
- In another shallow bowl, add 1/2 cup cornstarch and flour and stir to mix well.
- Add enough oil to a large frying pan over medium-high heat to deep fry the chicken pieces. Heat the oil to 375 degrees.
- Once the oil is hot, dip chicken pieces in the egg mixture first, then dredge in the flour mixture and add to the pan.
- Do not overcrowd the chicken pieces in the pan; if needed, fry in batches.
- Fry the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden and crispy outside. Once fried, transfer to a cooling rack.
- Discard the oil from the pan, leaving only about one tablespoon of oil. Stir the prepared orange sauce and add it to the pan. Bring to a boil.
- Turn off the heat, add cooked chicken to the sauce, and stir until well-coated.
- Serve with rice, garnished with orange zest, sesame seeds, and green onions if desired.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
585kcal
(29%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
48g
(96%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
256mg
(85%)
Sodium
1906mg
(79%)
Potassium
649mg
(14%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
25g
(50%)
Vitamin A
145IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
8mg
(9%)
Calcium
39mg
(4%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 585
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 585kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 48g | 96% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 256mg | 85% |
| Sodium | 1906mg | 79% |
| Potassium | 649mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 25g | 50% |
| Vitamin A | 145IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 39mg | 4% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.