Panda Express Orange Chicken
A quick and delicious recipe for orange chicken that balances crispy chicken with a sweet and tangy orange sauce, ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 units eggs, beaten
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For Garnish
- Green onions, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Set them aside while you prepare the coating.
- Dredge each piece of chicken in cornstarch, followed by the beaten eggs, and finally in all-purpose flour. Make sure each piece is evenly coated.
Cooking
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the coated chicken pieces. Fry for about 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the oil and let them drain on paper towels.
- In a separate pan, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and orange zest. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Once the sauce has thickened, add the fried chicken to the pan and toss until every piece is well coated in the luscious orange sauce.
Serving
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped green onions. Enjoy your homemade 30-Minute Panda Express Orange Chicken with steamed rice or your choice of sides!
Notes
Double the sauce for more flavor. You can substitute fresh oranges with orange juice and reduce sugar to taste. Serve immediately to keep the chicken crispy and avoid burning the sauce by keeping an eye on the heat.