Are you tired of eating the same old take-out food all the time? Do you want to know how to make the famous Panda Express orange chicken recipe at home? Well, you’re in luck! In this article, I’ll guide you through the easy steps to make this delicious dish in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Panda Express orange chicken is a crowd-pleaser dish that everyone loves. It’s a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors that tantalizes your taste buds. With this recipe, you can impress your family and friends by serving them this restaurant-style dish right at your dining table. So, let’s get started and learn how to make Panda Express orange chicken at home.

The Ingredients You Need

Making panda express orange chicken is not as complicated as it may seem. The first step to making this delicious dish is getting the right ingredients. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make panda express orange chicken:

For the Chicken

  • 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • 3 tbsp. vegetable oil for frying the chicken
  • 2 eggs
  • For the Sauce

  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 2 tbsp. orange juice concentrate
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 1/2 tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp. orange zest
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. ginger root, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

Preparing the Chicken

Now that you have all the ingredients that you need, it’s time to prepare the chicken. Here’s how to do it:

1. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces.
2. Mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
3. Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl.
4. Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture and then into the flour mixture.
5. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok to 375°F.
6. Fry the chicken pieces in the hot oil until golden brown and crispy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
7. Remove the chicken from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Making the Sauce

Now that the chicken is cooked and ready, it’s time to whip up the sauce. The following are the steps to make the sauce:

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the water, orange juice concentrate, lemon juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, orange zest, brown sugar, ginger root, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
2. Set the heat to medium-high and let the mixture come to a boil.
3. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Combining the Ingredients

Now that you’ve got both the chicken and the sauce ready, it’s time to bring them together. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Take the chicken pieces and add them to the saucepan with the orange sauce.
2. Stir the chicken and the sauce together until all the chicken pieces are coated in the sauce.
3. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 5 minutes or until it’s heated through and the sauce has coated the chicken pieces.

Optional Garnish

If you’re feeling fancy, you can garnish your panda express orange chicken with some green onions or sesame seeds. Just sprinkle them over the top of the chicken before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Panda express orange chicken is best served over a bed of fluffy white rice. You can also add some steamed broccoli or carrots as a side dish to make it a complete meal.

Conclusion

Making panda express orange chicken is a straightforward process, and with the right ingredients and techniques, you can easily impress your family and friends with your culinary skills. Whether you’re a fan of Chinese cuisine or just looking for a new recipe to try out, panda express orange chicken is definitely worth a shot. Happy cooking!

Ingredients for Making Panda Express Orange Chicken

Making Panda Express Orange Chicken at home might seem daunting, but it’s actually quite easy! With the right ingredients, you can create restaurant-quality orange chicken in no time. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Chicken thighs – To make Panda Express Orange Chicken, you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are perfect for this recipe because they’re tender, juicy, and full of delicious flavor.

2. Cornstarch – Cornstarch is used as a coating for the chicken before it’s fried. It helps to create a crispy exterior and locks in the moisture of the chicken.

3. Egg – The egg is used to help the cornstarch stick to the chicken.

4. Oil – Peanut oil is preferred for frying the chicken, but any vegetable oil will work.

5. Salt and pepper – Use these spices to season the chicken before frying.

6. Orange juice – To make the sauce, you’ll need fresh orange juice. Be sure to use 100% orange juice and not a sugary orange drink.

7. Soy sauce – Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor to the sauce.

8. Brown sugar – Brown sugar adds a sweetness to the sauce that pairs perfectly with the tangy orange juice.

9. Rice vinegar – Rice vinegar adds acidity to the sauce and balances out the sweetness.

10. Garlic and ginger – These aromatic ingredients add depth of flavor to the sauce and complement the orange chicken perfectly.

Now that you’ve collected all your ingredients, it’s time to get started on making the orange chicken!

Ingredients Needed for Making Panda Express Orange Chicken

Making Panda Express Orange Chicken is not that hard. All you need is to get the ingredients in the right proportions and follow the recipe to create that restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen. Here are the ingredients you need to gather:

Ingredients Quantity
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 lbs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Oil for deep frying Enough to fill a large pot 1/3 to 1/2 full
Egg 1
Cornstarch 1/2 cup
Flour 1/4 cup
Salt and pepper As per taste
Sugar 1/2 cup
Vinegar 1/4 cup
Orange juice 3 tablespoons
Orange zest 1 tablespoon
Soy sauce 2 tablespoons
Sesame oil 1/4 teaspoon
Minced garlic 1 tablespoon
Red pepper flakes (optional) 1/4 teaspoon
Green onions, sliced 1/4 cup

Instructions for Making Panda Express Orange Chicken

Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to start the cooking process. Here are the steps you need to follow to make Panda Express Orange Chicken.

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Take a large mixing bowl and add the chicken pieces along with salt and pepper. Mix it well to coat the chicken pieces evenly. In a separate bowl, whisk an egg and add it to the chicken mixture. Mix it well and let it marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Coating

In another mixing bowl, combine cornstarch and flour. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix it well and set it aside.

Step 3: Deep Fry the Chicken

Place the oil in a large pot and heat it to 375°F. Take the marinated chicken and coat it with the flour mixture. Shake off any excess flour and deep fry the chicken pieces for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a wire rack to drain the excess oil.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, vinegar, orange juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, orange zest, and red pepper flakes (optional). Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined.

Step 5: Coat the Chicken with the Sauce

Once the chicken is fried and drained, place it in a clean mixing bowl. Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss it well to coat the chicken pieces evenly. Top it off with sliced green onions and serve hot!

Conclusion

Making Panda Express Orange Chicken can seem like an intimidating task, but with the right ingredients and steps, you can make this restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your own kitchen. So, gather the ingredients and give this recipe a try. We hope you enjoy this delicious meal with your loved ones!

That’s How You Make Delicious Panda Express Orange Chicken!

Now, you know how to bring that restaurant-quality taste to your home and impress your family and friends with your cooking skills. Remember to follow the steps carefully and enjoy the experience of experimenting with the ingredients. The best part is that you can customize it to your liking by adjusting the amount of sweetness, spiciness, or tanginess. Thanks for reading and taking the time to cook with us. We hope you enjoyed it and will come back soon for more exciting recipes!