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Panda Express Orange Chicken

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Panda Express Orange Chicken is a crispy fried chicken dish tossed in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce, delivering a homemade take on the iconic Chinese-American restaurant favorite.

Ingredients

  1. 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  2. 2 large eggs, beaten
  3. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  4. 1/2 cup cornstarch
  5. 1 tsp salt
  6. 1/2 tsp black pepper
  7. Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

For the orange sauce:

  • 1 cup orange juice (fresh or bottled)
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced or grated
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
  • Optional garnish: sliced green onions, sesame seeds

Instructions

In one bowl, whisk eggs. In another, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.

  1. Dip chicken pieces into egg, then dredge in flour mixture until coated.
  2. Heat oil in a deep skillet or wok to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
  3. In a saucepan, combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer.
  4. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened.
  5. Toss fried chicken in the sauce until evenly coated.
  6. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

Notes

  1. For a lighter version, air fry at 375°F for 12–15 minutes or bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes.
  2. Adjust sweetness and spice to taste by modifying sugar and red pepper flakes.
  3. Chicken thighs stay juicier, but chicken breasts can also be used.
  4. Double the recipe for larger gatherings, frying in batches to keep the chicken crispy.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/panda-express-orange-chicken/