Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken

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!

Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken with broccoli and rice served on a plate.
Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken with broccoli and rice served on a plate – crispy, flavorful, and just like your favorite takeout.

• 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.

Pro Tip

• 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
• 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. 

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How to Store

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.

Ingredients for 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
Ingredients for Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken laid out on the countertop.
Ingredients for Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken laid out on the countertop – simple pantry staples for bold takeout flavor.

How to Make Panda Express Orange Chicken
✓ Step #1: Add chicken to a bowl - In a bowl, add diced chicken and set aside.

Chicken Breast in a bowl, ready for frying.
Chicken breast in a bowl – cut and ready for frying.

✓ 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.

The dredge for the Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken in two separate bowls.
The dredge for the Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken in two separate bowls – wet and dry mixtures prepped and ready.

✓ 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.

Sauce for Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken in a bowl.
Orange Chicken Sauce in a Bowl - a glossy, flavorful mix of soy sauce, orange juice, and brown sugar that gives the dish its signature sweet and tangy glaze.

✓ 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.

Chicken frying in a pan.
Chicken frying in a pan – golden brown and crisping perfectly.

✓ 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. 

Fried chicken on a paper plate next to a slotted spoon.
Fried chicken on a paper plate next to a slotted spoon – hot, crispy, and ready for the orange sauce.

✓ 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. 

Ground ginger and garlic powder in a frying pan.
Ground ginger and garlic powder in a frying pan – lightly sizzling before the sauce.

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

Orange sauce in a frying pan for Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken.
Orange sauce in a frying pan for Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken – rich, glossy, and fragrant.

✓ 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.
Chicken and orange sauce combined in a frying pan.
Chicken and orange sauce combined in a frying pan – coated evenly in sticky, delicious sauce.

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

Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken on a plate, topped with green onions and sesame seeds and served with rice.
Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken on a plate – topped with green onions and sesame seeds and served with rice.

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

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