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Panda Express Orange Chicken

Panda Express Orange Chicken

The ultimate comfort food, Panda Express Orange Chicken is a crispy delight that’s perfectly coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. This easy weeknight dinner will satisfy your cravings and impress your family. Give it a try tonight!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 460

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 egg egg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup water
  • tablespoons vegetable oil
  • vegetable oil for frying
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes in oil
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil

Equipment

  • Wooden Spoon
  • Whisk
  • Skillet

Method
 

  1. Cut the chicken thighs into small bite-sized pieces that are about 1-inch cubes.
  2. In a bowl combine egg, salt, ground white pepper, cornstarch, all-purpose flour, water, and vegetable oil. Stir to combine.
  3. Place cut chicken thighs into the batter. Stir to coat the chicken thighs very well with the batter. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  4. Place vegetable oil into a pot, the vegetable oil should be at least 4 inches deep. You can use a deep fryer. Heat the oil to 350°F.
  5. Shake off excess batter off chicken and fry pieces until they become light golden brown, this should take 6 to 7 minutes. You will need to fry the chicken in small batches. When you remove the chicken from the oil, drain on a wire rack resting on a cookie sheet.
  6. In a small bowl combine orange juice, soy sauce, ginger, ground white pepper, vinegar, cornstarch, sugar, chili flakes in oil, and sesame oil. Whisk together well.
  7. Pour sauce into a large skillet or wok, turn the heat up to medium high and cook until the sauce thickens. Add cooked chicken and stir to coat.

Notes

  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Pairing: Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables to create a complete meal.
  • Make it spicy: Add extra chili flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick or toss in some sliced fresh jalapeños when cooking.
  • Try different proteins: Feel free to use shrimp or tofu instead of chicken for a different take on this dish.
  • Experiment with citrus: Try substituting lemon or lime juice for a different flavor profile in the sauce.