Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe
This easy Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe delivers crispy chicken and sticky orange sauce using simple pantry ingredients and fresh citrus.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Frying pan or deep skillet
- Saucepan
- Slotted spoon
- Paper towels
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs beaten
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Orange Sauce
- ¾ cup fresh orange juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Dip each piece into the beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly in cornstarch. This coating is what gives you that crisp, golden texture.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
- Heat about 1½ inches of oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 4–5 minutes per batch. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
Step 3: Make the Orange Sauce
- In a saucepan, whisk together orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, orange zest, cornstarch, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. This usually takes 3–5 minutes.
Step 4: Toss It All Together
- Add the crispy chicken to the saucepan and gently toss until every piece is coated in that beautiful orange sauce.
- Serve immediately.