Hot Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat)
Craving a blend of sweet and spicy flavors? Look no further than this Hot Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat) recipe! Tender, crispy chicken bites are expertly coated with a zesty orange sauce that packs a flavorful punch. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or a fun get-together, offering an irresistible taste that rivals your favorite takeout. With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can whip up this delightful meal in under an hour—ideal for cooks of all skill levels. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying feast that the entire family will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup orange juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- Dried whole red chili peppers
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by mixing cornstarch, flour, salt, and white pepper in one bowl. In another bowl, whisk eggs with oil.
- Coat chicken pieces in the egg wash then the dry mixture.
- Fry the coated chicken in hot oil until golden brown and crispy (about 5-7 minutes per batch).
- Make the sauce by combining orange juice, zest, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, and cornstarch in a saucepan; stir until thickened.
- Toss fried chicken in the sauce along with garlic, ginger (if using), dried chili peppers, and red pepper flakes until well-coated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 150mg