Panda Express Orange Chicken – a perfect combination of crispy, golden-brown chicken tossed in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce. It’s the comfort food after a long day or during cozy weekends at home.
What Is Panda Express Orange Chicken?
Panda Express Orange Chicken is a signature dish of Panda Express, a popular Chinese-American fast-food chain. This dish combines lightly battered and fried chicken pieces with a luscious orange-flavored glaze. The sauce is a mouthwatering mix of sweet, tangy, and umami notes, enhanced with hints of ginger, garlic, and red chili flakes.
Whether you’re attempting to recreate the dish at home or just curious about its flavor profile, this recipe captures all the classic elements of this fan-favorite meal.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Orange Chicken
Recreating Panda Express Orange Chicken at home can be a rewarding experience, especially when you follow these expert tips:
- Choose the Right Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal for this recipe as they’re more flavorful and remain juicy after frying. You can use chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat.
- Double Fry for Extra Crispiness: To achieve the signature crunch, fry the chicken twice. The first fry cooks the chicken, while the second creates that perfect golden-brown, crispy texture.
- Fresh Orange Zest is Key: Using fresh orange zest in the sauce adds a vibrant, authentic flavor. Avoid skipping this step!
- Control the Heat: If you’re sensitive to spice, reduce or omit the red chili flakes. For more heat, add a dash of sriracha or extra chili flakes.
- Cornstarch is a Must: Cornstarch in the batter ensures the coating is light and crispy while also thickening the sauce for that glossy finish.
Recipe Variations
While the classic Panda Express Orange Chicken is universally loved, there are several ways to adapt the recipe to suit different tastes and dietary needs:
- Healthier Baked Version: Skip the frying and bake the chicken pieces in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes. Spray them lightly with oil to ensure a crispy texture.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the chicken with cauliflower or tofu. Coat the tofu in cornstarch and pan-fry until crispy before tossing in the sauce.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free soy sauce and rice flour or a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix for the batter.
- Honey-Orange Sauce: For a sweeter, more natural sweetness, swap out the sugar in the sauce with honey.
- Low-Carb/Keto-Friendly: Use almond flour for the batter and a sugar substitute like monk fruit or erythritol in the sauce.
How to Serve Panda Express Orange Chicken
The beauty of this dish is its versatility. Here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your meal:
- With White or Brown Rice: Steamed jasmine rice is the perfect blank canvas to soak up the delicious orange sauce.
- Fried Rice: Pair it with classic fried rice for a true takeout experience.
- Noodles: Serve it over lo mein or stir-fried noodles for a hearty dinner.
- Vegetable Sides: Balance the richness of the chicken with steamed broccoli, bok choy, or snap peas.
- As an Appetizer: Serve smaller, bite-sized pieces on toothpicks for a crowd-pleasing appetizer at parties.
How to Store and Reheat Orange Chicken
If you have leftovers (which is rare because it’s so delicious!), here’s how to store and reheat the dish:
- Storage: Place the chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the chicken and sauce separately. Thaw them in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the oven or an air fryer at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to regain its crispiness. Heat the sauce separately in a pan, then toss the chicken in it just before serving.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I Make Orange Chicken Ahead of Time?
Yes! Prepare the chicken and sauce separately. Store them in the refrigerator and combine them just before serving to maintain the chicken’s crispy texture.
2. Is Orange Chicken Spicy?
The spice level is mild, coming primarily from the red chili flakes. You can adjust the heat by adding or reducing chili flakes to suit your preference.
3. What Does Orange Chicken Taste Like?
Orange chicken is sweet, tangy, savory, and slightly spicy. The fresh orange flavor is balanced by soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, creating an irresistible harmony of flavors.
4. Can I Use Store-Bought Sauce?
While store-bought orange sauce can save time, making your own ensures fresher, more authentic flavors. Plus, it allows you to control the sweetness and spice levels.
5. Why Is My Chicken Not Crispy?
The chicken may lose its crispiness if it sits in the sauce for too long. To keep it crispy, toss the chicken in the sauce just before serving.
Panda Express Orange Chicken
Panda Express Orange Chicken - a perfect combination of crispy, golden-brown chicken tossed in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce. It’s the comfort food after a long day or during cozy weekends at home.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- White pepper
- Oil (for frying)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup flour
For the Orange Sauce:
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- ¾ cup orange juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp minced gingerroot
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- ½ cup green onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp rice wine
- ½ cup water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken:
- Place chicken pieces in a large bowl.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp oil.
- In another bowl, combine ½ cup cornstarch and ¼ cup flour.
- Heat oil in a wok or deep-fryer to 375°F.
- Dip chicken into the egg mixture, then coat with the flour mixture. Shake off excess.
- Fry in small batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
2. Make the Sauce:
- Mix soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and orange zest in a bowl. Set aside.
- Clean the wok and heat over high for 15 seconds. Add 1 tbsp oil.
- Stir-fry ginger, garlic, chili flakes, and green onions for a few seconds until fragrant.
- Add the rice wine and soy sauce mixture, then toss in the fried chicken.
3. Thicken and Finish:
- Stir together water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add to the wok and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Drizzle with sesame oil for extra flavor.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 517Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 166mgSodium 1171mgCarbohydrates 39gFiber 1gSugar 20gProtein 47g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Closing Thoughts
Panda Express Orange Chicken is more than just a dish; it’s a flavorful journey that’s easy to recreate at home with a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal-prepping for the week, this recipe is guaranteed to please. Try it today, and don’t forget to share your variations and tips in the comments below!
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