Panda Express Orange Chicken is a beloved dish known for its crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce. Recreating this classic at home allows you to enjoy its mouthwatering flavor with a personal touch. This recipe is perfect for family dinners or impressing guests with your cooking skills.
Overview of the Recipe
This recipe features juicy chicken chunks fried to golden perfection and coated in a glossy orange sauce with notes of citrus, soy, garlic, and ginger. It’s a perfect balance of flavors—sweet, tangy, savory, and spicy—that pairs beautifully with steamed rice or stir-fried noodles.
History and Origin
Orange chicken became synonymous with Panda Express, an iconic American-Chinese restaurant chain. This dish, inspired by traditional Chinese flavors, was tailored to suit American palates with its sweet and tangy sauce. Its origins can be traced back to Hunan and Sichuan-style cooking, where citrus and chilies are often used to flavor dishes. Over time, it has become one of the most popular menu items in American-Chinese cuisine.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Orange Sauce:
- 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar or rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water (slurry)
For Garnish:
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds