Panda Express Orange Chicken (Copycat Recipe)
Tender chunks of white meat chicken with crispy breading and a sweet, tangy glaze — learn how to make the famous Panda Express Orange Chicken at home!
Servings 4
Calories 408kcal
Cost $12
Equipment
- Wok or large Saute Pan
- Deep Fryer or Large Pot of Oil for frying
- 2 Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breast chopped into bite sized pieces
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 pepper
- 2 Tablespoons oil
- 1/2 cup corn starch plus 1 TB
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon ginger root minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup green onion chopped
- 1 Tablespoons Mirin rice cooking wine
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
For the Orange Sauce:
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons water
- 5 Tablespoons sugar
- 5 Tablespoons white vinegar
- zest of 1 orange
Instructions
To prepare the chicken:
- Mix together egg, salt, pepper and 2 TB vegetable oil in a medium bowl and set aside.
- In a separate medium sized bowl, add 1/2 cup corn starch and 1/4 cup flour and whisk together. Set aside.
- Heat about 3 cups oil in a deep-fryer or large frying pot to 375 degrees. The amount of oil may vary based on your fryer or pot.
- Chop your boneless and skinless chicken into bite-sized chunks. Dip chicken pieces in the egg mixture, roll in the corn starch mixture until lightly coated, and place in your fryer for 3 to 4 minutes.
- When chicken turns a golden brown, remove from the fryer and place on a paper towel lined plate.
- Fry chicken in small batches to prevent lowering the oil temperature.
To Make the Orange Sauce:
- Whisk together sauce ingredients in a small bowl until well combined.
Put it all together:
- In a small bowl, dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1/4 cup water. Set aside.
- Using a wok or large skillet add oil, ginger root, and garlic to a large wok or skillet and stir fry for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Stir in chili peppers and green onions.
- Add rice wine and stir to combine for less than a minute.
- Add orange sauce to wok and bring mixture to a boil.
- Add fried chicken pieces and stir until coated in sauce.
- Stir in your small bowl of water/corn starch mixture and continue stirring until sauce thickens.
- Add sesame oil and stir until all ingredients are well incorporated and chicken is coated in a rich, thick orange sauce.
- Best enjoyed warm.
Notes
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary based on exact ingredients used and serving size.
Nutrition
Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 186mg | Sodium: 1470mg | Potassium: 854mg | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg