The Best Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe at Your Fingertips

Crafting the ultimate panda express orange chicken at home can transport you straight to flavor paradise.

My kitchen adventures have taught me that recreating restaurant favorites isn’t just possible, it’s deliciously rewarding.

Crispy chicken pieces glazed with a vibrant, tangy sauce become the star of your dinner table.

Forget complicated takeout orders and complicated techniques.

Simple ingredients and smart cooking methods make this recipe accessible to anyone with a skillet and basic culinary curiosity.

Bold flavors merge seamlessly, creating a meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

Panda Express Orange Chicken That Packs a Punch

• Conquer Crispy Textures: Achieve restaurant-quality golden-brown chicken with a perfectly crunchy exterior that delivers satisfying crunch in every bite.
• Master Quick Flavor Fusion: Blend tangy orange sauce with crispy chicken pieces, creating a restaurant-inspired dish that brings exciting Asian-style flavors right to your kitchen.
• Impress Without Complexity: Create a crowd-pleasing meal that looks professionally prepared but requires minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for home cooks of all experience levels.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adjust spice levels and ingredients to suit personal preferences, transforming this recipe into a flexible meal that adapts to family tastes.

Ingredients for Sweet and Tangy Panda Express Orange Chicken

• Chicken: Boneless and skinless white meat perfect for creating a crispy, flavorful Chinese-inspired dish.
• Flour: Provides a light and crispy coating for the chicken pieces.
• Eggs: Helps the flour adhere to the chicken, creating a golden-brown crust.

• Orange Juice: Adds bright, citrusy flavor to the sauce.
• Orange Zest: Enhances the orange flavor with intense citrus oils.
• Soy Sauce: Brings a savory, umami depth to the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce coating.
• Rice Vinegar: Provides a subtle tangy balance to the sweet sauce.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the chicken to achieve a crispy exterior.
• Garlic, Ginger: Provide aromatic and spicy undertones to the sauce.
• Paper Towels: Used for draining excess oil from the fried chicken.

How to Make Panda Express Orange Chicken at Home

Step 1: Slice Chicken into Delightful Morsels

Cut the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces that will crisp up perfectly and make each bite irresistible.

Step 2: Prepare Magical Breading Station

• Flour in one bowl
• Beaten eggs in another bowl

Step 3: Coat Chicken with Crispy Goodness

Dunk each chicken piece into the beaten eggs, then roll generously in flour to create a delectable coating.

Step 4: Sizzle Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken pieces into the hot oil and fry until they turn a beautiful golden brown color, which takes about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5: Drain Excess Oil

Transfer the fried chicken pieces onto paper towels to absorb any extra oil and keep them crispy.

Step 6: Craft Tangy Orange Sauce

• Orange juice
• Orange zest
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Rice vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Heat the mixture until it starts bubbling and the flavors meld together.

Step 7: Toss and Coat Chicken

Pour the vibrant orange sauce over the fried chicken pieces, gently tossing until every morsel is generously coated with the zesty, sweet sauce.

Tips for Perfect Panda Express Orange Chicken Every Time

• Slice chicken uniformly to ensure even cooking and crispy texture.
• Pat chicken dry before breading to help flour adhere better and create crunchier coating.
• Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for perfect golden-brown chicken.
• Adjust sauce sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar based on personal preference.
• For a healthier version, bake chicken instead of frying, using a wire rack to keep coating crisp.

Flavorful Variations on Panda Express Orange Chicken

• Gluten-Free Orange Chicken: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch for a celiac-friendly version.
• Baked Orange Chicken: Skip frying and bake chicken pieces on a wire rack at 400°F for a lighter preparation.
• Air Fryer Orange Chicken: Cook breaded chicken in an air fryer at 375°F for 10-12 minutes for a crispy texture with less oil.
• Vegan Orange Tofu: Substitute chicken with firm tofu, using cornstarch for coating and following the same sauce and cooking method.

Pairings That Match Panda Express Orange Chicken Well

• Fluffy jasmine rice balances the tangy, crispy orange chicken perfectly, soaking up the delicious sauce and providing a light, aromatic base.
• A slightly sweet Riesling wine cuts through the richness of the chicken, refreshing your palate with its bright, citrusy notes that mirror the orange sauce.
• Crunchy, green broccoli adds a fresh, nutritious contrast to the golden-fried chicken, creating a balanced and colorful plate that feels both indulgent and wholesome.
• Smooth, slightly grassy green tea cleanses the palate between bites, its subtle bitterness offsetting the sweet and tangy orange chicken sauce.

How to Keep Panda Express Orange Chicken Fresh

• Store leftover orange chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Transfer cooled chicken to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, checking temperature to ensure even heating.

FAQs

• What's the secret to getting crispy orange chicken?

The key is to ensure your oil is hot enough before frying and not overcrowding the pan. Pat chicken dry before breading and use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for perfect crispiness.

• Can I use a different type of chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great and offer more flavor and tenderness compared to chicken breasts. Just ensure you cut them into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Golden brown color and crispy exterior are good visual indicators, but temperature ensures food safety.

Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 34 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Panda Express orange chicken elevates home cooking with a zesty, crispy masterpiece straight from Chinese-American cuisine. Home chefs can easily recreate this restaurant favorite with simple ingredients and quick techniques.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
• Zest of 1 orange
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Transform chicken into uniform, bite-sized morsels for consistent cooking and easy consumption.
2. Establish a two-stage coating process using flour and whisked eggs to create a crispy exterior.
3. Thoroughly dredge each chicken piece first in egg, ensuring complete coverage, then generously coat with flour for maximum crunch.
4. Preheat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet to medium-high temperature, creating an optimal frying environment around 375°F.
5. Carefully place floured chicken into hot oil, allowing pieces to turn golden brown and crisp, approximately 5-6 minutes, rotating occasionally for even browning.
6. Transfer fried chicken onto paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
7. Craft a vibrant orange sauce by combining zesty orange juice, fragrant zest, umami-rich soy sauce, caramelizing brown sugar, tangy rice vinegar, aromatic garlic, and spicy ginger in a saucepan.
8. Simmer sauce ingredients over medium heat until mixture becomes glossy and slightly thickened, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
9. Gently fold crispy chicken pieces into warm sauce, ensuring each morsel is luxuriously coated with the tangy, sweet glaze.
10. Serve immediately while chicken remains crisp and sauce clings tantalizingly to each piece.

Notes

• Customize flour coating by adding cornstarch for extra crispiness, ensuring a restaurant-quality crunch.
• Prevent soggy chicken by maintaining consistent oil temperature around 350°F during frying.
• Consider using gluten-free flour and tamari sauce for a celiac-friendly version without compromising flavor.
• Cut chicken uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 34
• Calories: 227
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 263 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg