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Panda Express Orange Chicken

A delicious homemade version of the classic Panda Express Orange Chicken, featuring crispy chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce.
Servings 4 servings
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
  • 1 ea egg
  • 1 Tbsp sunflower oil (or any neutral flavored oil)
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 3/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (heaping)

For the Sauce

  • 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
  • 1/2 cup cane sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or coconut liquid aminos)
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
  • 1/2 tsp zested ginger root (peeled)
  • 1 Tbsp orange juice concentrate (or 3 Tbsp orange juice)

For Frying

  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp rice wine (or apple cider vinegar)

Instructions

Preparation

  • Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch thick.
  • Preheat 2 inches of oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat.
  • In a small bowl, beat the egg with the sunflower oil, salt, and pepper until combined.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the cornstarch and all-purpose flour.

Cooking

  • Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten egg mixture, then dredge it in the flour and cornstarch mix. Shake off any excess flour.
  • Deep fry the chicken in batches, in oil heated to 350°F, until crispy and golden brown, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Transfer the fried chicken to a large plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil.
  • In a saucepan, combine the white distilled vinegar, cane sugar, water, soy sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic, zested ginger root, and orange juice concentrate. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your liking.
  • Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss gently to coat evenly.

Serving

  • Transfer the coated orange chicken to a serving dish. Enjoy it hot with your choice of sides!

Notes

If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet for best results.
Calories: 400kcal
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Keyword: Asian Cuisine, Crispy Chicken, Homemade, Orange Chicken, Panda Express