Craving panda express? learn to make their signature orange chicken in your kitchen

For the Chicken:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Orange Sauce:

• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Preparing the Chicken:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cornstarch, flour, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. Dredge the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

Making the Orange Sauce:

1. In a small saucepan, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, honey, ketchup, cornstarch, orange zest, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
3. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.

Frying the Chicken:

1. Heat 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a large saucepan or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2. Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Remove the chicken from the oil and drain on paper towels.

Combining the Chicken and Sauce:

1. Add the fried chicken to the thickened orange sauce.
2. Stir to coat the chicken evenly in the sauce.
3. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve the orange chicken over white rice or noodles.
• Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds for extra flavor.
• Enjoy the authentic Panda Express taste from the comfort of your own home.

Tips and Tricks

• For extra crispy chicken, double-coat the pieces in the seasoned flour mixture.
• If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can substitute apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
• You can adjust the spiciness of the sauce by adding more or less ground ginger.
• Leftover orange chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Variations

• To make vegetarian orange chicken, substitute tofu or tempeh for the chicken.
• Add chopped bell peppers or carrots to the sauce for a colorful and nutritious twist.
• Use pineapple juice instead of orange juice for a slightly sweeter sauce.

Health Benefits of Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is not known for being a particularly healthy dish, but it does offer some nutritional benefits:

• Chicken is a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair.
• Orange juice is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports the immune system.
• Soy sauce contains isoflavones, which have been linked to reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Key Points: Orange Chicken Perfection

With this easy-to-follow guide and a few simple ingredients, you can now recreate the iconic orange chicken from Panda Express in your own kitchen. Enjoy the sweet, tangy, and crispy flavors that have made this dish a beloved favorite.

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

Q: Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but be sure to thaw it completely before dredging and frying.

Q: How do I make the orange chicken spicy?
A: Add more ground ginger or red pepper flakes to the orange sauce to taste.

Q: What if I don’t have a deep fryer?
A: You can shallow-fry the chicken in a large skillet with about 1 inch of vegetable oil.