If you’ve ever found yourself craving that sweet, tangy, and utterly irresistible bite of Panda Express Orange Chicken but wished you could recreate it at home, you’re absolutely in for a treat! This homemade version packs all the punchy flavors you love, with crispy chicken coated in a glossy, citrusy sauce that’s just the right balance of savory and sweet. Every component, from the golden-fried chicken bites to the zesty orange sauce, makes this dish the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for a family dinner or a night in with friends. Let’s dive into the world of Panda Express Orange Chicken, and I promise, once you taste it, you may never wait in a takeout line again!

Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making Panda Express Orange Chicken at home is delightfully accessible thanks to a handful of straightforward pantry staples and fresh ingredients. Each one plays a vital role, whether it’s giving the chicken its iconic crispiness or infusing that trademark orange flavor into the sauce.

Chicken Thighs: Juicy, tender, and perfect for soaking up the bold flavors; cut into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
Cornstarch: Essential for achieving that crackly, crunchy coating on each chicken piece.
All-Purpose Flour: Blends with cornstarch to create the perfect batter; too much of one or the other, and you’ll miss the magic!
Salt: Balances and sharpens all the other flavors, never to be overlooked.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle, peppery heat that shines through every bite.
Eggs: The secret glue that helps dredge your chicken in its crispy coating.
Vegetable Oil: Necessary for that deep golden fry — stick to neutral oils like canola or sunflower for best results.
Orange Juice: The star of the sauce, lending natural sweetness and zest.
Granulated Sugar: Gives the sauce its glossy, sweet backbone; feel free to adjust to your own sweetness preference.
Rice Vinegar: Adds tang and sharpness, balancing out the sugar for a true sweet-and-sour finish.
Soy Sauce: Brings saltiness and umami depth to the orange sauce.
Cornstarch Slurry (cornstarch + water): Thickens the sauce to that sticky, glossy perfection.
Orange Zest: Packs a punch of fresh orange fragrance and flavor; don’t skip this!
Garlic: Lends warmth and aromatic depth to the sauce base.
Fresh Ginger: Brings a gentle zing that pairs harmoniously with the orange flavor.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For a touch of heat — add more or less to suit your own spicy cravings.

How to Make Panda Express Orange Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Coating

Begin by whisking together the cornstarch, flour, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. This simple mixture is your ticket to ultra-crispy chicken, providing that satisfying crunch with every bite. Make sure you’ve got your eggs ready in a separate bowl for dipping — this double-layer approach is what creates the chicken’s signature texture.

Step 2: Dredge and Batter the Chicken

Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, ensuring each piece is well coated. Then, transfer the chicken to the flour-cornstarch mixture and toss until thoroughly covered. Shake off any excess — it shouldn’t be caked on, just lightly dusted for that delicious, crackly finish once fried.

Step 3: Fry the Chicken to Perfection

Heat about two inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok to 350°F. Fry the battered chicken, working in batches so the oil doesn’t cool down and the pieces crisp up beautifully. It should take about 4–5 minutes per batch for the chicken to emerge golden brown and perfectly cooked through. Transfer each batch to a plate lined with paper towels to drain and stay crispy.

Step 4: Make the Irresistible Orange Sauce

In a large skillet or wok, heat up two tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add your minced garlic, ginger, and — if you like things a little spicy — the red pepper flakes. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds, then pour in the orange juice, sugar, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. As the mixture starts to bubble, stir in the orange zest and finally the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce to that perfect, glossy consistency.

Step 5: Coat the Chicken

Add your hot, fresh chicken pieces into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything until every piece is generously coated. There’s truly nothing like seeing those shiny, saucy chicken bites come together right before your eyes — it’s pure Panda Express Orange Chicken bliss!

Step 6: Serve Hot and Enjoy

Your homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken is best enjoyed piping hot, straight from the pan. Spoon it over fluffy steamed rice, garnish as you like, and get ready to dig in!

How to Serve Panda Express Orange Chicken

Garnishes

Bring restaurant flair to your table by showering your finished dish with vibrant orange zest or a generous sprinkle of finely chopped green onions. Not only do these add color, they elevate the flavors with a pop of freshness and a little crunch — a must for the full experience of Panda Express Orange Chicken.

Side Dishes

While steamed jasmine rice is the classic partner, don’t be shy about serving this with fried rice, chow mein noodles, or even a crunchy Asian slaw. The sweet and tangy profile of Panda Express Orange Chicken also pairs beautifully with simple sautéed bok choy, broccoli, or sugar snap peas, making for a balanced and unforgettable meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings or a fun weeknight twist, try piling your orange chicken into lettuce cups, folding it into soft bao buns, or using it as a flavorful filling inside steamed buns. Kids love orange chicken “bowl style” — just layer rice in a bowl, spoon the chicken over the top, and finish with colorful veggies for an Instagram-worthy dinner everyone will adore!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers (lucky you!), store the cooled Panda Express Orange Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep deliciously for up to three days, making lunch or dinner the next day as easy as can be.

Freezing

For longer storage, lay the cooled chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe zip-top bag. While the sauce can also be frozen, it’s best kept separate and only combined when reheating, to keep the chicken as crisp as possible.

Reheating

To restore as much crispiness as possible, reheat Panda Express Orange Chicken in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through. While microwaving is quick, it may soften the coating, so oven reheating is worth the extra time if you want that irresistible crunch.

FAQs

Can I make Panda Express Orange Chicken gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend and use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce. It turns out just as delicious and everyone can dig in.

How spicy is the sauce?

By default, the sauce is more sweet and citrusy than spicy, but you can easily adjust the heat by varying the amount of crushed red pepper flakes. Feel free to leave them out entirely for a mild version or double up for a spicy kick.

Is it better to use chicken breast or chicken thigh?

Chicken thighs deliver the juiciest, most flavorful result for Panda Express Orange Chicken and are less likely to dry out when fried. However, if you prefer leaner meat, chicken breast works too; just be careful not to overcook it.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the orange sauce up to two days in advance. Store it in an airtight jar in the fridge, then simply reheat and toss with your freshly fried chicken when you’re ready to serve.

What’s the best way to make this dish healthier?

If you want a lighter version without sacrificing flavor, try air-frying the chicken as suggested in the notes. You can also reduce the sugar to suit your dietary needs and serve it with plenty of steamed veggies.

Final Thoughts

Making Panda Express Orange Chicken at home is downright rewarding — and just as delicious as your favorite takeout! You’ll love the bold flavors, the satisfying crunch, and, most importantly, sharing a homemade meal that feels a little bit special. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised when everyone asks for seconds!

Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Learn how to make your own delicious Panda Express-inspired Orange Chicken at home with this easy recipe. Crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, perfect for a Chinese takeout night in!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup cornstarch
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
vegetable oil, for frying

For the Orange Sauce:

1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon orange zest
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Dip chicken pieces into beaten eggs, then dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F. Fry chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
Make the Orange Sauce: In a skillet, sauté garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Add orange juice, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. Simmer, then add zest. Thicken with cornstarch slurry.
Combine and Serve: Toss fried chicken in the sauce. Serve over rice, garnished with orange zest or green onions.