If you love that irresistible crunch and tangy sweetness from your favorite takeout, you are going to fall head over heels for this Homestyle Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe. It perfectly captures the bright citrus punch and sticky glaze of the restaurant classic, all made right in your own kitchen with familiar ingredients and straightforward steps. This recipe delivers tender, crispy chicken pieces enveloped in a luscious orange sauce that’s bursting with fresh zest, garlic, and ginger, making every bite a joyful celebration. Whether you’re craving an easy weeknight dinner or want to impress guests with a homemade favorite, this dish checks every box for comfort food with a vibrant flair.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting great flavor starts with simple, essential ingredients that each play a special role—from the crispy coating to the sweet and tangy sauce. These basics come together harmoniously, giving the dish its signature texture and lively taste.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, perfect for tender bite-sized pieces that fry up crisp.
- All-purpose flour: The key to a light, crunchy coating on the chicken.
- Eggs: They help the flour stick to the chicken, ensuring a thorough crispness.
- Vegetable oil: Ideal for frying, it withstands the heat without imparting unwanted flavors.
- Fresh orange juice: Adds natural sweetness and bright citrus notes essential for the sauce.
- Orange zest: Packs an intense burst of fresh orange flavor, elevating the sauce’s aroma.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Brings depth and umami while keeping the saltiness balanced.
- Brown sugar: Sweetens and thickens the sauce with a subtle molasses hint.
- Rice vinegar: Gives a pleasant tang that cuts through the sweetness for perfect balance.
- Garlic: Adds a savory punch, ensuring the sauce is anything but one-dimensional.
- Fresh ginger: Contributes a warm, slightly spicy undertone that’s classic for orange chicken.
How to Make Homestyle Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. This makes them perfect for frying quickly and ensures each piece is coated with that glorious orange sauce. Keep the pieces as uniform as possible for even cooking and consistent crispiness.
Step 2: Set Up Your Breading Station
In one bowl, pour your all-purpose flour. In another, beat the eggs until smooth. This simple setup is key to creating that crispy exterior—dipping the chicken in egg helps the flour stick perfectly.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Take each piece of chicken and dip it first into the egg, then thoroughly coat it with flour. Be generous with the flour to get a nice, crunchy crust after frying. Don’t rush this step; the coating is what defines the texture, so make sure it’s even all around.
Step 4: Fry the Chicken Until Golden
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches to prevent overcrowding—this lets them crisp up beautifully. Each batch usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Once golden brown, transfer them to paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Step 5: Make the Orange Sauce
While the chicken is frying, whisk together fresh orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and fresh ginger in a saucepan. Heat the mixture until it bubbles and thickens slightly, filling your kitchen with the most mouthwatering aroma you can imagine.
Step 6: Combine Chicken and Sauce
Once the sauce is ready, toss the crispy chicken pieces directly into the pan and mix well to coat every piece with that luscious orange glaze. The chicken will soak up some of the sauce while keeping its crisp exterior, resulting in pure bliss in every bite.
How to Serve Homestyle Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a handful of thinly sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds over your orange chicken just before serving. These little touches add a fresh pop of color, subtle crunch, and extra flavor dimension, making your dish look as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Steamed white rice or fluffy jasmine rice is the classic pairing here, soaking up the tangy sauce perfectly. For a refreshing contrast, serve with steamed broccoli or a simple cucumber salad to balance the richness of the chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the orange chicken wrapped in lettuce cups for a low-carb option or pile it over noodles with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts and cilantro. Hosting a family-style meal? Place the chicken in a big serving dish and let everyone help themselves for a casual, festive vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover orange chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, allowing you to enjoy this delicious dish again without losing any flavor.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, you can freeze the cooked chicken pieces separately from the sauce for better texture retention. Store in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat to revive the crispiness, adding a splash of water or extra sauce if needed. Microwave works too but may soften the coating slightly. Either way, the flavors will still shine brilliantly.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs have a bit more fat and flavor which makes them wonderfully juicy. Just adjust your cooking time slightly to ensure they cook through completely.
How do I get the chicken extra crispy?
Make sure your oil is hot enough before frying (around 350°F/175°C), and avoid overcrowding the pan. Double-coating the chicken by dipping it twice in egg and flour also helps build a thicker crust.
Is it possible to make this gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend. Also, double-check the soy sauce to make sure it’s gluten-free or use tamari as a substitute.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
You can prepare the sauce separately and refrigerate it, but for the best texture, toss the freshly fried chicken in the sauce right before serving.
What if I don’t have fresh oranges?
Fresh orange juice and zest are essential for that authentic brightness, but if needed, bottled orange juice can work in a pinch. Add a bit of orange extract for a boosted flavor punch if the juice tastes flat.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about recreating restaurant favorites at home, and this Homestyle Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe is no exception. It’s approachable, packed with vibrant flavors, and will soon become one of your go-to dishes for effortless deliciousness. Once you try making it yourself, you’ll understand why it’s a beloved classic—comforting, zesty, and endlessly satisfying. So go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to this delightful homemade orange chicken experience!
Print
Homestyle Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Description
This Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe recreates the iconic sweet and tangy fried chicken dish popularized by the famous restaurant. Tender boneless chicken pieces are battered and fried to a golden crisp, then tossed in a flavorful homemade orange sauce featuring fresh orange juice, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Perfect for a delicious Asian-inspired dinner that combines crispy texture with zesty citrus flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken and Breading
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Orange Sauce
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange two bowls—one with the all-purpose flour and the other with the beaten eggs for dipping the chicken.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with flour, pressing lightly to adhere the flour.
- Heat Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot enough for frying.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully place the breaded chicken pieces into the hot oil. Fry for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally to brown evenly. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Prepare the Orange Sauce: In a saucepan, combine fresh orange juice, orange zest, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to bubble and the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the saucepan and toss thoroughly until each piece is well coated with the fragrant orange sauce.
Notes
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best bright citrus flavor in the sauce.
- Adjust sugar in the sauce based on preferred sweetness.
- Make sure the oil is hot before frying to prevent soggy chicken.
- Drain fried chicken well to avoid excess oil in the sauce.
- Serve immediately for the best crispy texture.
