Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

Total Time Prep: 30 mins. Cook: 30 mins.
Yield 8 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
A light, crispy batter and a delectable sticky orange sauce make this the best copycat Panda Express orange chicken recipe around.

Ingredients

  • CHICKEN:
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1-1/4 cups sparkling water, chilled
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-in. pieces
  • Oil for deep-fat frying
  • SAUCE:
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Hot cooked rice, sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Whisk in egg, sparkling water and sesame oil until smooth. Add chicken pieces; toss to evenly coat. Cover; transfer to the refrigerator. Let chicken marinate at least 30 minutes.
  2. Heat oil about 1/2 to 1 in. deep in a large wok or Dutch oven to 350°. Working in batches, add a few pieces of the battered chicken to the preheated oil. Cook, turning occasionally until the chicken is deeply golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer fried chicken pieces to a paper towel-lined sheet pan to drain. Repeat with remaining chicken pieces.
  3. Heat canola oil in a large skillet to medium-high heat. Add red pepper flakes, garlic and ginger; cook 30-60 seconds or until fragrant. Add sugar, brown sugar, rice vinegar, orange juice, soy sauce and orange zest; stir until sugars dissolved and mixture begins to bubble.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together water and cornstarch until dissolved. Add to sauce; stir until smooth. Cook sauce until it thickens, 1-2 minutes.
  5. Add fried chicken pieces to sauce; toss gently to coat. Serve with cooked rice and top with green onions and sesame seeds.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 380 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 641mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 19g protein.

The secret to making the best copycat Panda Express orange chicken? It’s all in the sauce—orange juice, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and more all make that delicious chicken you can’t resist. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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