Craving tasty Panda Express Orange Chicken at home? Try this easy copycat recipe with tender, crispy chicken coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce! Ready in just 25 minutes.
Why go for takeout when you can make this copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe right at home in just 25 minutes?!
If you're like me, you've probably had countless cravings for this addictive dish.
Tender, crispy chicken coated in a delectable sweet and tangy orange sauce, served over a bed of fluffy white rice or your favorite noodles—simply irresistible!
While ordering takeout might be tempting, making this copycat recipe from scratch is surprisingly easy and highly rewarding.
The best part? You get to adjust the flavors to suit your taste preferences. Whether you prefer a sweeter sauce or a spicier kick, you're in control.
Plus, it tastes just like the real thing! You're going to love this dish!
Serve it up with more Panda Express Copycat Recipes for the full experience. We particularly love Kung Pao Chicken and Honey Sesame Chicken!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- If you can't get enough of Panda Express's Orange Chicken, this homemade copycat version is the perfect solution to curb your cravings anytime you want.
- Don't be intimidated by the thought of making this Chinese-American classic at home. With simple instructions and easy-to-find ingredients, it's a fun cooking project for anyone, whether you're an experienced cook or just starting in the kitchen.
- Adjust the sweetness, spiciness, or tanginess of the sauce to match your preferences. Make it just the way you like it!
- Serve this restaurant-quality dish at your next gathering, and your friends and family will be blown away by your culinary prowess.
- You can have it on the table in just 25 minutes!
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs: The star of the dish! Chicken thighs offer more flavor and tenderness, but breasts work well too if that's what you have on hand.
- Eggs: Lightly beaten to create a coating that helps the flour mixture stick to the chicken.
- All-purpose flour and cornstarch: Combined to create a crispy and golden coating for the chicken.
- Salt and pepper: For seasoning the eggs and chicken.
- Vegetable oil: Used for frying the chicken until it's perfectly crispy.
For the Orange Sauce:
- Garlic and Ginger: Infuse the sauce with a delicious flavor.
- Chili flakes: For a touch of spiciness. Adjust the amount based on your heat tolerance.
- Orange juice: The star of the sauce, providing the vibrant orange flavor.
- Soy sauce: Adds a savory umami element to the sauce.
- White wine vinegar: Balances the sweetness of the orange juice with a tangy note.
- Brown sugar: Provides the right amount of sweetness to the sauce.
- Orange zest: Enhances the orange flavor and aroma.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to a luscious consistency.
See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.
What is Panda Express?
Panda Express is a popular fast-food restaurant chain specializing in American Chinese cuisine. It was founded in 1983 in Glendale, California, and has since grown into one of the largest Chinese restaurant chains in the United States.
The restaurant is known for its fast service, generous portions, and signature dishes like Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and Beijing Beef.
Panda Express has become a favorite among many for its flavorful and accessible Chinese-inspired dishes.
Instructions
If you're wondering how to make this copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe, don't worry, it's easy!
Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Lightly beat the eggs, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
Combine the all-purpose flour and cornstarch in a small bowl.
Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, then toss in the flour mixture until well coated.
In a deep skillet or wok, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches until they are golden brown and crispy.
This should take around 6-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed and sauté the minced garlic, ginger, and chili flakes for about a minute, stirring.
Stir in the orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and orange zest and heat for 1 minute.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Gradually stir the slurry into the simmering sauce until it thickens to the desired consistency. Adjust the seasoning and spiciness according to your taste.
Once the sauce is ready, add the fried chicken pieces to the pan, tossing them to coat evenly with the orange sauce. Continue to cook for a minute or two, to heat the chicken through.
Remove the orange chicken from the heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the Panda Express Orange Chicken over steamed white rice or brown rice for a classic pairing.
- Noodles lovers can enjoy it with lo mein, chow mein, or rice noodles.
- For a healthier option, pair it with quinoa or cauliflower rice.
Recipe Tips
- For a crispy coating that lasts, avoid overcrowding the pan while frying the chicken. Fry in batches to ensure each piece gets enough space.
- Adjust the amount of cornstarch in the slurry to make the sauce thicker or thinner, according to your preference.
- Sprinkle plenty of sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top of the Orange Chicken for a beautiful presentation and added flavor.
FAQ
While frying gives the chicken a crispy texture, you can bake the coated chicken in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping once halfway through. The result will be less crispy but still delicious.
Absolutely! You can prepare the fried chicken and the sauce in advance and store them separately. When ready to serve, heat the sauce, add the chicken, and toss everything together until heated through.
📖 Recipe
Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 2 eggs
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Orange Sauce:
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- ½ cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Garnish
- sesame seeds
- green onions
Instructions
- Lightly beat the eggs, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Combine the all-purpose flour and cornstarch in a small bowl.
- Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, then toss in the flour mixture until well coated.
- In a deep skillet or wok, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches until they are golden brown and crispy. This should take around 6-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed and sauté the minced garlic, ginger, and chili flakes for about a minute, stirring.
- Stir in the orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and orange zest and heat for 1 minute.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Gradually stir the slurry into the simmering sauce until it thickens to the desired consistency. Adjust the seasoning and spiciness according to your taste.
- Once the sauce is ready, add the fried chicken pieces to the pan, tossing them to coat evenly with the orange sauce. Continue to cook for a minute or two, to heat the chicken through.
- Remove the orange chicken from the heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve the Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken over steamed white rice or with your favorite noodles. Enjoy!
- Note: You can adjust the sweetness or spiciness of the sauce by increasing or decreasing the amount of brown sugar and red pepper flakes, respectively. Additionally, if you prefer a thicker sauce, you can increase the amount of cornstarch in the slurry.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Carrie Robinson
Ooooooo... forget takeout! I would much rather make this at home instead. The whole family loved it!!
Ava M
This copycat chicken tastes just like the restaurant version! Tangy, sweet, and oh-so-addictive. Loved it!
Traci
Yay! Now I don't have to go to panda express for their orange chicken anymore. This was surprisingly easy to make.
Sarah
We absolutely loved making this. The orange flavour was so good!
Kechi
was really good. family oved it.
Crystal
Panda Express orange chicken is an all-time favorite. This version was absolutely delicious. Thank you!
PAULA
Obsessed with this homemade orange chicken. YUM!
Dara
Oh yes! I LOVE panda express orange chicken and had been looking for the perfect copycat recipe! This one was so good! It's just like the original - great job!
Beth
I made this for dinner last night, and I'd say this isn't a just copycat. It's an improvement!!! It's soooo much better, actually.
Elisa
Love this Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe, my daughter especially loved it! Delicious and easy to make. Thanks for sharing 🙂