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Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe made easy with juicy chicken, orange zest, garlic, soy sauce, and chili flakes for a bold, flavorful meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese-American
Servings 4
Calories 520 kcal

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Sharp knife and cutting board
  • Deep frying pan or wok
  • Slotted spoon or tongs
  • Paper towels (for draining oil)
  • Saucepan or small wok (for the sauce)
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:

  • 500 g boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup water
  • Oil for frying

For the Orange Sauce:

  • ¾ cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon garlic finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • 1 –2 teaspoons chili flakes adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water slurry
  • 1 tablespoon oil

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Batter

  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, beat the eggs with water.
  • Slowly combine the wet and dry ingredients until you get a smooth batter—not too thick, not too runny. It should coat the chicken nicely.
  • Add the chicken pieces into the batter and mix well so each piece is fully covered.

Step 2: Fry the Chicken

  • Heat oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully drop the battered chicken pieces into the oil.
  • Fry in batches—don’t overcrowd the pan. This keeps the temperature stable and ensures crispiness.
  • Cook until golden brown and crispy, about 4–5 minutes per batch.
  • Remove and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
  • Chef tip (from my kitchen to yours):
  • If you want extra crispy chicken, fry it twice. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then fry again for 1–2 minutes. It makes a huge difference.

Step 3: Make the Orange Sauce

  • In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger, and sauté until fragrant—about 30 seconds.
  • Pour in the orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, and chili flakes. Stir well and let it simmer gently.
  • As the sauce cooks, it will start to thicken slightly and become glossy. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir continuously until the sauce reaches a sticky consistency.
  • Taste it. This is your moment to adjust—more sugar for sweetness, more vinegar for tang, or more chili for heat.

Step 4: Combine Everything

  • Add the fried chicken into the sauce and toss quickly so every piece is coated evenly.
  • Cook for another 1–2 minutes, just until everything is heated through and beautifully glazed.
  • Turn off the heat and serve immediately.
Keyword Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe