Master the art of making Orange Chicken just like Panda Express with this simple copycat recipe. Enjoy crispy, batter-fried chicken coated in a flavorful orange sauce for a delicious dinner. Pair your homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken with steamed or fried rice for a perfect Chinese-inspired meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup water
- 1½ tablespoons vegetable oil
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- 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
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes.
In a bowl, whisk together the egg, salt, ground white pepper, cornstarch, all-purpose flour, water, and vegetable oil to make the batter.
Add the chicken pieces to the batter, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Fry the Chicken:
Heat vegetable oil in a pot (at least 4 inches deep) or deep fryer to 350°F.
Shake off any excess batter from the chicken pieces, then fry in small batches until the chicken turns golden brown, about 6-7 minutes per batch.
Remove the chicken from the oil and drain on a wire rack set over a cookie sheet.
Prepare the Sauce:
In a small bowl, combine orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, ground ginger, ground white pepper, vinegar, cornstarch, chili flakes in oil, and sesame oil. Whisk until smooth.
Pour the sauce into a large skillet or wok and bring to a medium-high heat. Stir the sauce until it thickens.
Combine Chicken and Sauce:
Add the fried chicken to the sauce and stir to coat evenly. Serve immediately with steamed or fried rice for a delicious meal.
