Panda Express Copycat Orange Chicken: A Sweet and Tangy Favorite
Introduction
Panda Express Orange Chicken is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, renowned for its crispy texture and the addictive balance of sweet, tangy, and lightly spicy flavors. Recreating this iconic dish at home not only allows you to tailor the ingredients to your tastes but guarantees a fresher, healthier meal without sacrificing any of its crave-worthy appeal.
Ideal for easy weeknight dinners or casual get-togethers, this copycat recipe makes it possible to enjoy your takeout favorite with minimal effort—crunchy chicken bites cloaked in glossy, citrusy sauce will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Why This Orange Chicken Tastes Just Like Your Favorite Takeout
What sets this Panda Express copycat apart is its delightfully crisp coating on juicy chicken, drenched in a perfectly balanced orange sauce—sweet, tangy, and kissed with garlic and ginger. It’s versatile, too: serve it over steamed rice, noodles, or tossed with fresh veggies for a full meal.
Plus, making it from scratch ensures no artificial flavors or excess oil. In fact, using an COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 allows you to get restaurant-quality crispiness with minimal oil, making this version lighter but every bit as delicious.
Mastering Orange Chicken at Home
Begin with bite-sized pieces of chicken (breast or thigh works well), dredged in a classic flour and cornstarch mixture for that signature crunchy bite. You can easily prep your aromatics and veggies using a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper, saving time and ensuring uniform slices for consistent cooking.
For the sauce, fresh orange juice, zest, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar form the flavorful base. Whisk everything together, and simmer until thickened to perfection.
How to Cook Orange Chicken: Air Fryer and Stovetop Instructions
Traditionally deep-fried, this recipe works wonders in the air fryer for a healthier, hands-off approach. If you prefer stovetop methods, a high-quality nonstick skillet like the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet ensures even cooking and easy cleanup.
Line your air fryer basket or baking tray with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll to prevent sticking and facilitate fast cleanup. Toss the cooked chicken in your homemade orange sauce just before serving for maximum crispiness.
Serving and Storing Your Copycat Orange Chicken
Serve your orange chicken over a bed of fluffy steamed rice or mix it into a fresh salad stored in a Bentgo Salad Container for a meal-prep lunch solution. Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, or a sprinkle of orange zest for a final pop of flavor and color.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer or oven to preserve the crispy coating—this dish reheats beautifully!
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields 4 generous servings. Each serving contains approximately 400–450 calories (varies depending on oil used and serving method). It’s a feel-good version of a takeout classic—enjoy it in moderation with rice and veggies for a well-rounded plate.
Panda Express Copycat Orange Chicken (Recap)
This copycat Orange Chicken delivers all the flavors you love—crispy, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy—but with the bonus of being made fresh in your own kitchen. Healthier, customizable, and always satisfying, it’s bound to become a staple in your dinner rotation.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: In one bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, beat the eggs. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- For air fryer: Arrange coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket lined with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll. Lightly spray with oil. Cook at 400°F for 12–14 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp. For stovetop: Heat 1/2-inch oil in a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet and fry chicken in small batches until crispy and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.
- Make the sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together orange juice, zest, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and (if using) red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, then whisk in cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring, until thickened and glossy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Toss the cooked chicken in the hot orange sauce until well coated. Serve immediately over steamed rice, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Store any leftovers in a Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Enjoy a vibrant burst of flavor with every bite of this Panda Express Copycat Orange Chicken—a sweet and tangy classic that brings takeout magic home!
