Hot Orange Chicken
Introduction
Hot Orange Chicken, inspired by Panda Express’s iconic dish, strikes a crave-worthy balance between sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors with that signature crispy coating. This copycat recipe lets you recreate restaurant-style magic at home in less than 40 minutes—no long drive-through lines or takeout packaging required.
It’s just the dish for impressing guests, transforming weeknight dinners, or satisfying deep-seated cravings for American-Chinese comfort food with a zesty kick.
Deliciously Spicy and Tangy Orange Chicken at Home
What sets this Hot Orange Chicken apart is its addictive orange sauce—infused with fresh citrus, just enough chili for heat, and a perfectly crisped chicken exterior. The interplay of citrus brightness, savory soy, and a hint of chili paste makes each bite irresistible. Homemade means you control the spice level and choose cleaner, fresher ingredients for a dish that truly outdoes takeout.
Mastering the Crispy Chicken Coating
For the crispiest finish, cut your boneless chicken thighs or breasts into even, bite-sized pieces. Using a gadget like the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper ensures uniform cuts for even cooking and superior crunch.
Toss the chicken pieces in a seasoned cornstarch and flour mixture, then fry them up in a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch for easy cleanup and consistent browning. If you prefer a lighter touch, you can crisp the chicken in batches in a COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 for a guilt-free, mess-free experience.
Perfecting the Zesty Orange Sauce
The signature sauce comes together quickly. Whisk freshly squeezed orange juice, zest, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and a touch of chili paste for heat. For an extra-smooth consistency, blend your sauce ingredients in the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender before simmering.
As soon as the chicken is cooked and still hot, toss it directly in the simmering sauce so every crevice gets coated with that shimmering, sticky glaze. The aroma alone will have everyone rushing to the table.
Serving Suggestions and Smart Prep
Hot Orange Chicken pairs beautifully with steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or a quick sesame noodle bowl. Portion it out in the Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl for delicious meal-prep lunches or picnics—this chicken is just as delicious reheated.
Sprinkle on sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or even orange twists for a restaurant-style finish. For an organized cooking session, keep your workspace neat with a set of Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about four servings, with each plate providing roughly 450–500 calories (depending on frying method and sauce quantity used). It offers a hearty serving of protein with a moderate carb impact—ideal for a splurge meal or part of a balanced dinner rotation.
Hot Orange Chicken (Recap)
Achieving spicy-sweet perfection is easy with this Panda Express copycat Hot Orange Chicken. Crispy bites, a sticky and vibrant orange sauce, and customizable heat levels make this recipe a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—no takeout required!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to dice chicken into even pieces.
- In a large bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Dip chicken pieces in egg, then dredge thoroughly in the cornstarch mixture.
- Heat about 1 inch of oil in a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium-high. Fry in batches until crispy and golden, about 5–6 minutes. Drain on a rack or paper towels.
Air Fryer Option: Place battered chicken in a single layer in your COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 (lined with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll cut to size for easy cleanup). Mist with oil & cook at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway.
- While chicken cooks, blend orange sauce ingredients in the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender until smooth. Pour into a saucepan, bring to a simmer, and cook for 3–4 minutes until fragrant. Whisk in cornstarch slurry, stir, and cook another minute until thickened.
- Add hot cooked chicken to the pan with orange sauce; toss to thoroughly coat. Remove from heat and drizzle with sesame oil if desired.
- Serve immediately over rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and extra orange zest or slices.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 38 minutes
Enjoy mastering Hot Orange Chicken at home—you’ll be amazed at how quickly it disappears from the plate!
