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A portion of Orange Chicken (Panda Express Style) with a glossy sauce and garnished with green onions

Quick way to grow Orange Chicken (Panda Express Style) skills

This recipe provides a quick and easy way to make delicious Orange Chicken, Panda Express style, right in your own kitchen. Perfect for a weeknight meal or a weekend treat, it's sure to become a family favorite.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 0.5 cup cornstarch
  • 1 large egg
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Orange Sauce
  • 0.75 cup orange juice
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 0.5 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp ginger grated
  • 1 tbsp garlic minced
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes or to taste
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
For Frying
  • 4 cups vegetable oil

Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Medium bowl
  • Whisk
  • Small saucepan
  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Slotted spoon
  • Wire rack

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces and pat them dry.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together cornstarch, egg, salt, and pepper.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.
Make the Orange Sauce
  1. In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.
  2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then stir in the cornstarch slurry.
  3. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
Fry the Chicken
  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Carefully add chicken pieces in batches, avoiding overcrowding.
  3. Fry for 3-5 minutes per batch, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack.
Combine and Serve
  1. Once all chicken is fried, add it back to the empty pot or a large bowl.
  2. Pour the orange sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
  3. Serve immediately with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.

Notes

For extra crispiness, you can double-fry the chicken. Fry once, let rest for a few minutes, then fry again for 1-2 minutes until extra crispy. Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.