Panda Express Orange Chicken

Bring the bold, tangy, and sweet flavors of your favorite takeout dish right to your kitchen with this irresistible Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe. Tender, bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken thighs are perfectly seasoned, coated in a crunchy, golden crust, and tossed in a luscious orange-infused glaze that’s bursting with notes of garlic, ginger, and a hint of heat from red chili flakes. This homemade version strikes the perfect balance of crispy and saucy, making it a crowd-pleaser for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Serve it over a bed of steamed rice or noodles, and don’t forget the optional garnish of green onions and sesame seeds for a restaurant-quality presentation. Quick to prepare and loaded with flavor, this Orange Chicken recipe captures that signature sweet-and-savory magic with every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Boneless chicken thighs
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 cup Cornstarch
• 0.5 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 2 cups Vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup Orange juice
• 0.3 cup Sugar
• 3 tablespoons Rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Ginger, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon Red chili flakes
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch (for sauce)
• 2 tablespoons Water (for sauce)
• 2 tablespoons Green onions, sliced (optional garnish)
• 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds (optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cut the boneless chicken thighs into 1-inch bite-sized pieces.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of ground black pepper.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup cornstarch and 0.5 cup all-purpose flour. This will be your dry coating mix.

Step 4

Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring it's well coated, then dredge it into the dry mix, pressing lightly to adhere the coating.

Step 5

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F. Fry the coated chicken in small batches for 4–5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.

Step 6

While the chicken is frying, prepare the orange sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 0.5 cup orange juice, 0.3 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red chili flakes. Stir well and bring to a simmer.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

Step 8

Once the chicken is fried, add it to the saucepan with the orange sauce. Toss the chicken to coat it evenly in the sauce.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy with steamed rice or noodles.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1446.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5327.1

Total Fat 476.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 75.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 268.9g
Cholesterol 765.1mg	0%
Sodium 3966.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 190.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.0g	0%
Total Sugars 70.7g
Protein 114.8g	0%

Vitamin D 82IU	0%
Calcium 194.0mg	0%
Iron 10.9mg	0%
Potassium 1520.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 77.8%

Protein: 8.3%

Carbs: 13.8%