The Best Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe
This Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken is crispy, sweet, and tangy—just like your favorite takeout! Made with juicy chicken, a fresh orange sauce, and no unnecessary additives, this homemade version is healthier, fresher, and even more delicious. Perfect for serving over rice for a quick and easy meal!
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (diced into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Oil for frying
- ⅓ cup fresh orange juice (about 2 juicy oranges)
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (cornstarch slurry)
- Steamed white rice
- Green onions or sesame seeds (optional garnish)
Directions
- 1
Dice chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. In a bowl, mix chicken, egg, and cornstarch. Season with salt and pepper. Let sit in the fridge while you prepare the sauce.
- 2
In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, zest, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- 3
Sprinkle flour over the marinated chicken and toss until evenly coated.
- 4
Heat oil in a wok or deep pan over high heat. Fry chicken for 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain excess oil.
- 5
Discard excess oil from the wok. Return fried chicken to the pan and pour in the orange sauce. Stir well to coat.
- 6
Add the cornstarch slurry and stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- 7
Serve immediately over steamed white rice. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy!