Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken

Recipe and photos by Abbie Guerrero , food blogger and creator of Savvy with Abbie. All photos original.

Panda Express Orange Chicken

If you are looking for orange chicken that tastes just like the real deal, this is it! The orange flavor stood out but it didn't overpower the meal. The chicken was juicy, soft, and flavorful. This Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe delivers the flavors of your favorite takeout dish in your own kitchen. It’s a treat the whole family will love - and will be asking for seconds!

Make this easy copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken at home—crispy fried chicken tossed in sticky orange sauce for a family favorite dinner. This orange chicken has a crispy exterior with a sweet, citrus-forward glaze and subtle ginger notes—similar to takeout, but fresher and less oily.

• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Serving size: 4
• Total cook time: 25-30 minutes
• Total prep time: 5-10 minutes
• Family friendly: YES!
• Rating: 8.5/10
• Serving suggestions: Serve with rice, broccoli, or toast

Why You Will Love This Orange Chicken Recipe

This recipe brings the happiness and nostalgia of a fast-food meal, but with a lower price tag and portion control. The orange sauce is sticky and gooey, making it just like Panda Express. The time you put into this recipe will make you love and appreciate it even more. I double fried the chicken to add an extra layer of crisp - wanting to make sure every piece was browned and crispy.

Why This Recipe Works

If you’re looking for a homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken with the perfect hot, sweet, and tangy balance, this is it. The sticky orange sauce paired with a double-fry method creates ultra-crispy chicken you’ll want to make on repeat.

Pro Tips

• I fried the chicken and then added them back into the vegetable oil and fried them again - you can choose to do a single or double fry
• I didn't have some of the ingredients so I just replaced them with something else. Instead of the rice wine, I used the sesame oil. Instead of ginger root, I used ground ginger. Feel free to adjust based on what you have available

Inspiration

This recipe was inspired by Insanely Good Recipes. I used less than two pounds of chicken, omitted the salt, I did not have an orange so I did not use orange zest and the chicken still turned out amazing. I used ground ginger instead of ginger root, garlic powder in place of minced garlic, omitted the red pepper flakes, and did not use rice wine or the cornstarch/water slurry. 

If You Enjoy Chicken Recipes, You May Also Like

• Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Thighs
• Stovetop Blackened Chicken Tenders
• Air-Fried Ranch Chicken Drumsticks
• Crispy Korean Chicken Wings

Everything You Need to Make Panda Express Orange Chicken

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• 2.5 large chicken breasts, cut into pieces
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp White Pepper
• Vegetable oil (to fry)
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup flour
• *3 tbsp soy sauce
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• *PAM or cooking spray
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• Green onions, to top
• *Sesame seeds, to top
  

Note: For extra crispiness, let the chicken rest for 2–3 minutes between the first and second fry. If you want a thicker, stickier orange sauce, simmer it a little longer before adding the chicken.

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Make Panda Express Orange Chicken

✓ Step #1: Add chicken to a bowl - In a bowl, add diced chicken and set aside.

✓ Step #2: Make your dredge - Gather two more bowls. In one, you are going to add the egg, white pepper and 1 tbsp vegetable oil and stir. In the second one, add the 1/2 cup of cornstarch and the 1/4 cup of flour. Stir until well mixed. Set aside.

✓ Step #3: Make the sauce – For the orange sauce, you want to mix the soy sauce, orange juice, and brown sugar in a bowl. Stir until completely combined and set aside.

✓ Step #4: Fry the chicken –  Add the oil to the skillet (about 1/4-1/3 of the frying pan). I set the temperature on medium/high and let it sit about 3-5 minutes. I added a tiny bit of water and, if it sizzles, it's ready to go. 

Dip the chicken in the egg mixture and then the flour and cornstarch mixture. Add to the frying pan. Fry for 4 minutes until it reaches a light brown color. You can use a slotted spoon or a spatula, and remove them onto a plate. I had to cook two batches so I did the second batch the same way.

✓ Step #5: Serve – Add back to the oil and cook for 3-4 more minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken and place it on a paper plate to drain. At this point, the chicken should be brown and crispy. 

✓ Step #6: Serve –  Add back to the oil and cook for 3-4 more minutes. In another frying pan, spray it with PAM cooking spray and add the garlic powder and ground ginger and cook for 30 seconds. 

✓ Step #7: Add in orange sauce – Add in the orange sauce and sesame oil. Cook for 30-60 seconds. 

✓ Step #8: Add chicken – Add chicken and let sauce thicken, 5-10 minutes. The sauce thickened enough for me without the slurry, but if you prefer a stickier coating, you can add cornstarch + water at this stage.

✓ Step #9: Serve – Add to a plate. Top with green onions and sesame seeds and serve with rice. 

How To Store Panda Express Orange Chicken

Store chicken in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove, until warm.

What Did You Think Of This Chicken Recipe?

Did you enjoy this homemade orange chicken? What did you think?

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