Description
Indulge in a homemade version of your favorite takeout with this Hot Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat): A Fiery Feast Made Easy. This delightful dish features tender chicken pieces coated in a crispy shell, then tossed in a vibrant orange sauce that balances sweetness with a kick of spice. Perfect for busy weeknights or a fun gathering, it’s quick to prepare and packed with flavor—making it an ideal choice for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike. Serve it over fluffy rice or noodles for a complete meal that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp oil, for egg wash
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp white pepper
- Oil, for frying
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 orange, zest of
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 tbsp rice apple vinegar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch, for sauce
- 1 tbsp green onions, sliced (plus more for garnish)
- 2 tbsp oil, for stir-frying
- ½ cup dried whole red chili peppers
- 6 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp sesame oil, for stir-frying
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated (optional)
Instructions
- For the coating, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, and white pepper in one bowl. Beat eggs with oil in another bowl.
- Dip chicken pieces in the egg wash then coat with the dry mixture.
- Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the coated chicken until golden brown. Set aside on paper towels.
- In a saucepan, combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and sesame oil over medium heat. Simmer until thickened.
- Stir-fry garlic and ginger in oil before adding fried chicken and green onions. Pour over the orange sauce and mix well.
- Serve hot over rice or noodles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 120mg