Amazing Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

I’ll be honest, the first time I tried making the Orange Chicken Recipe, it was kind of a disaster, because the sauce turned out way too sweet and the chicken was not crispy enough.

Even worse, I ended up with a sticky mess all over the stove, but I still remember sitting there with my fork, thinking this is close but not quite right, and maybe you’ve had that moment too, when you feel a little proud but also annoyed at the same time.

So I didn’t give up, and the next weekend I tried again, and this time I learned a few simple tricks like heating the oil until it was really hot and using fresh orange juice and not crowding the chicken in the pan, and because of that, everything changed.

Suddenly, I had these crispy golden chicken bites covered in shiny, tangy sauce, and I couldn’t stop eating them straight from the pan. I bet you’ve done that too at least once, and that’s when I thought Wow, this is what a real Orange Chicken Recipe should taste like.

And that’s when I realized you don’t need a restaurant or fancy chef skills to make an Orange Chicken Recipe that tastes even better than take-out, because all you really need are the right steps and a little patience, so if you’re curious about how to make it without soggy chicken or watery sauce, then let’s dive in and cook it together.

ingredients

• Chicken breast (boneless, skinless, about 2 pounds)
• Cornstarch (about 1 cup)
• All-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
• Salt (a little pinch)
• Black pepper (a little pinch)
• Eggs (2 large)
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil works best)
• Orange juice (1 cup, fresh if possible)
• Orange zest (from 1 big orange)
• Sugar (½ cup)
• Rice vinegar (2 tablespoons)
• Soy sauce (3 tablespoons)
• Garlic (3 cloves, chopped small)
• Ginger (1 tablespoon, chopped small)
• Red pepper flakes (a tiny pinch, if you like spicy)
• Cornstarch mixed with water (2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water for thickening)
• Green onions (for sprinkling on top, optional)
• Sesame seeds (optional for decoration)

ingredients notes

• Chicken breast is soft and cooks fast, which makes it perfect for this recipe.
• Cornstarch and flour together make the chicken extra crunchy, almost like it’s wearing a little crispy jacket.
• Eggs help the flour stick to the chicken pieces.
• Oil is needed for frying, and you want enough to cover the chicken pieces, so they cook evenly.
• Orange juice gives the sauce that yummy sweet taste, and orange zest makes the flavor stronger, almost like sunshine in your mouth.
• Sugar makes it sweet, while vinegar and soy sauce give it a tangy salty balance.
• Garlic and ginger are like the superheroes that make the sauce taste deep and exciting.
• Red pepper flakes are like tiny fire sparks. Add them only if you want a little spice.
• Cornstarch mixed with water makes the sauce thicker, so it sticks to the chicken.
• Green onions and sesame seeds are just for making it look fancy at the end.

How to make Orange Chicken Recipe?

step 1: prepare the chicken

Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Think of little cubes that you can eat in one bite. Put them in a bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper to make them taste good even before the sauce goes on.

step 2: coat the chicken

In one bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them like you’re making scrambled eggs. In another bowl, mix the flour and cornstarch together. Dip each chicken piece into the egg, then into the flour-cornstarch mix. This makes the chicken crunchy when fried.

step 3: fry the chicken

Heat oil in a big pan or deep pot. When the oil is hot (you can test by dropping a little flour in and seeing if it sizzles), carefully put in the coated chicken pieces. Fry until they turn golden brown and crispy. Take them out and put them on a plate lined with paper towels to catch extra oil.

step 4: make the sauce

In another pan, pour the orange juice, orange zest, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Stir it all together and let it simmer. The smell will be amazing. Add a little pinch of red pepper flakes if you like spicy flavors. Let it bubble gently.

step 5: thicken the sauce

Mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl to make a smooth liquid. Slowly pour it into the bubbling sauce while stirring. The sauce will turn thicker and shiny, almost like syrup.

step 6: combine chicken and sauce

Put the crispy chicken pieces into the pan with the sauce. Stir them around so each piece gets covered in that sticky orange glaze. This is the moment when your orange chicken comes to life!

step 7: add toppings and serve

Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top if you like. Serve it warm with rice, noodles, or even just by itself.

kitchen equipment needed

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Frying pan or deep pot
• Paper towels
• Big spoon for stirring
• Small bowl for cornstarch slurry

storage options!

If you have leftovers, let the orange chicken cool down before putting it in the fridge. Store it in a container with a lid, and it will stay good for about 3 days.

When you reheat, it’s best to warm it in a pan so the chicken stays a little crispy. The microwave works too, but the chicken might get softer. You can also freeze orange chicken for up to 2 months. Just put it in a freezer bag, squeeze the air out, and save it for later.

variations!

You can change orange chicken in fun ways. Instead of chicken breast, try chicken thighs, which are juicier. You can also bake the chicken in the oven instead of frying if you want it a little lighter.

If you like veggies, add broccoli, bell peppers, or carrots to the sauce so it becomes a mix of sweet chicken and healthy vegetables. You can even make it spicy by adding more red pepper flakes or chili paste. And if you don’t want chicken, you can try the same recipe with shrimp or even crispy tofu!

what to enjoy with Orange Chicken Recipe?

Sometimes, I grab fried rice when I want a little more flavor to my orange chicken, then there are days I toss it over noodles because it turns into comfort food instantly, and when I want a little crunch, I make steamed broccoli or roasted veggies on the side, and it balances the sweetness so perfectly.

And here’s my guilty pleasure, I absolutely love Orange Chicken Recipe with Mac and Cheese because the creamy cheesy pasta mixed with the sweet tangy chicken is pure comfort food magic, and when I want something with a kick, I pair it with Crispy Chilli Beef Rice, and it’s like a flavor explosion on the plate.

Have you ever tried any of these combos? If not, you’re in the right place, because once you do, you’ll never look at Orange Chicken Recipe the same way again, and maybe you’ll even come up with your own favorite pairing.

tips for making the best orange chicken recipe

Make sure the oil is hot enough before you fry the chicken. If it’s not hot, the chicken will soak up oil and get soggy instead of crispy. Don’t overcrowd the pan; fry the chicken in small batches so each piece cooks evenly. Fresh orange juice and zest make the flavor brighter and better than bottled juice. Also, stir the sauce often so it doesn’t burn at the bottom of the pan. If you like your sauce thicker, add a little more cornstarch and water mix. If you like it thinner, add a splash of water.

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what is Orange Chicken Recipe made of?

Orange chicken is made of little pieces of chicken that are fried until crispy and then coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce.

what does Orange Chicken Recipe taste like?

It tastes sweet, a little tangy, and sometimes a little spicy. The chicken is crunchy outside but soft inside.

can i use bottled Orange Chicken Recipe?

Yes, but fresh orange juice makes it taste much better and fresher.

can i bake the chicken instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake it at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, but it won’t be as crispy as frying.

can i make Orange Chicken Recipe without eggs?

Yes, you can dip the chicken in just cornstarch and flour, but eggs help it stick better.

how do i make the sauce less sweet?

Use less sugar or add a little more vinegar to balance the flavors in your orange chicken recipe.

can kids eat orange chicken Recipe?

Yes, kids love it because it’s sweet and fun to eat, just skip the spicy flakes.

how do i make the sauce spicier?

Add more red pepper flakes or a spoon of chili sauce.

can i use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs are juicier and work really well in this orange chicken recipe.

how long does orange chicken recipe last in the fridge?

About 3 days if you keep it in a container with a lid.

can i freeze orange chicken?

Yes, freeze it in a bag for up to 2 months. Warm it up in a pan when ready to eat.

what goes best with orange chicken?

Rice, noodles, or veggies are the perfect partners for orange chicken.