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Crispy Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

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A homemade version of the classic Panda Express orange chicken that delivers crispy, tangy, and sweet flavors with a perfect orange glaze and crunchy coating, ready in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil for frying (or canola or peanut oil)
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Beat the eggs in a bowl and place the cornstarch in a separate shallow dish.
  3. Dip each chicken piece into the beaten eggs, then dredge thoroughly in cornstarch. Shake off excess.
  4. Pour vegetable oil into a wok or deep skillet to about 2 inches deep and heat to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  6. In a saucepan, combine orange juice, orange zest, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  7. Mix cornstarch and water until smooth, then slowly whisk into the simmering sauce. Cook until thick and glossy, about 2-3 minutes. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
  8. Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss gently to coat evenly.
  9. Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite sides.

Notes

Use chicken thighs for juicier meat. Maintain oil temperature around 350°F to avoid soggy or burnt chicken. Toss chicken in sauce just before serving to keep coating crispy. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari and cornstarch with sweet rice flour or gluten-free blend. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat in skillet to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: orange chicken, copycat recipe, Panda Express, crispy chicken, homemade orange chicken, easy dinner, Asian comfort food

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/crispy-copycat-panda-express-orange-chicken-recipe-easy-homemade-guide/