Panda Express Orange Chicken
← All recipes

Panda Express Orange Chicken

👤 4 servings medium 🌍 Chinese American youtube.com ↗

This iconic dish combines crispy fried chicken with a sweet and tangy orange sauce that hits home with nostalgic flavors reminiscent of ketchup, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce. The dark meat chicken is cut into one-inch cubes and fried to perfection, maintaining moisture inside while achieving a crispy exterior. The signature orange sauce with vinegar and sesame oil creates an unforgettable sweet and sour flavor profile.

Crispy

Ingredients

  • chicken thigh meat
  • egg
  • cornstarch
  • all-purpose flour
  • orange juice
  • vinegar
  • sesame oil

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken thigh meat into approximately 1-inch cubes
  2. Prepare wet batter using egg, cornstarch, and all-purpose flour to create an aerated crust
  3. Coat chicken pieces thoroughly with the wet batter
  4. Heat oil to 350 degrees
  5. Fry chicken in batches of approximately 25 pieces at a time to avoid overcrowding
  6. Fry for at least 6 minutes until golden brown (note: the color will darken one shade after resting, so aim for a slightly lighter shade when frying)
  7. Remove fried chicken and let rest
  8. Prepare orange sauce with orange juice, vinegar, and sesame oil to a maple syrup consistency
  9. Add vinegar at the end of sauce preparation to maintain its potency and aroma
  10. While chicken is still hot, toss it into the sauce so it absorbs immediately
  11. Finish with sesame oil for extra sheen and toasted nuttiness

Save it. Cook it. Track it.

Bookmark this recipe, plan your week, and track calories — all in FooZenie.

Get FooZenie Free