• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Today's Creative Ideas logo
  • Tasty
    • See All
    • Appetizers
    • Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • One Dish Meals
    • Fun Recipe Round Ups
  • Home & Life
    • See All
    • Organizing
    • Cleaning
    • Creative Beauty Ideas
    • Homemade Solutions
    • Unexpected Uses for...
  • Crafty
    • See All
    • Crafts
    • Home Decor
    • Printables
    • Woodworking
    • Craft & Decor Round Ups
  • Celebrate
    • See All
    • SHOP - Gift Guides
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patrick's Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • >>> Shop
    • Favorite Amazon Picks!
    • Gift Ideas for Everyone
    • Farmhouse Home Decor Picks
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Tasty
  • Home & Life
  • Crafty
  • Celebrate
  • Shop
×
Home

Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat

By: Melissa Coleman Last Updated: Sep 27, 2023 This post may contain affiliate links.

This Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat might just be better than the original. A simple ingredient recipe that will have you saving a ton and skipping the lines at the restaurant.

Hero Shot of Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat Recipe



Learn how to make this delicious Chinese dish that is full of tangy citrus flavor and crispy chicken bites that make the perfect weeknight meal.


Give it a try tonight, your family will love it!!

Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

Ingredients you will need:

  • 1 package chicken breast, cubed (PE typically uses dark meat for their chicken. If you want to be even more authentic to the restaurant you can sub the cubed breast meat out for boneless thighs.)
  • 1 cup flour
  • ⅓ cup cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • ½ tablespoon of Natures Seasoning
  • 2 eggs

For the Panda Express Orange Chicken Sauce:

  • 1 orange, you'll need the orange juice and orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon water



How to make orange chicken like panda express!

In a saucepan over medium heat, add all the sauce ingredients and bring to a slow boil.

Once slow boiling, reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Stir every couple of minutes to prevent the sauce from sticking.

Let sit on warm while the chicken cooks



In a medium bowl, mix together the spices, flour, and cornstarch.

In a separate small bowl whisk the egg.



Coat the chicken in the flour mixture, and then dredge in the egg mixture.

Return chicken back to flour and fully coat.



Place breaded chicken in a vegetable oil sprayed air fryer basket. Spray chicken with oil. You can also cook this chicken in a large skillet with vegetable or sesame oil, just cook on medium-high heat til golden brown, whichever you choose but in this specific recipe, we are using the air fryer.



Cook on 380 for 10 minutes.

Once all chicken is cooked, increase sauce heat to low medium, and add fried chicken. Stir until the chicken is completely coated.



Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat Variations

Like more veggies? You can certainly add some stir-fried vegetables to this dish. Some of our favorites include bell peppers, onions, green onions, broccoli, and snap peas.


Not a fan of chicken? I'm not sure how you would have ended up on this recipe but hey if you like other meats besides chicken then you can definitely change it out for pork or beef.


Want to up the spice level? How about adding in some red pepper flakes?

Does Panda Express use dark meat in their Orange Chicken?



Yes, Panda Express uses boneless chicken dark meat. This is most likely made from chicken thighs or perhaps chicken legs, either way, dark meat is their chicken of choice over breasts. However, this dish uses cubed chicken breasts, mainly because that is what I have on hand. It is delicious both ways.

What to serve with Orange Chicken!



There are all sorts of things you can serve with this chicken, it doesn't truly have to be kept traditional Chinese. However, our favorites include side dishes like white steamed rice, fried rice, chow mein, broccoli, etc.

Is Panda Express Orange Chicken Spicy?



Orange Chicken is considered one of the spicy dishes at Panda Express and this homemade version does have cayenne spice in the recipe. So yes, it would be considered spicy but no I do not think it is overly spicy that the whole family or a family who isn't big on spicy foods couldn't enjoy. 

How long can orange chicken be stored?



You can store this recipe in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. It should be noted that the meat will get soggy in the fridge. However, it still tastes great as leftovers.

Can you freeze Orange Chicken?



Yes, but you will want to freeze the (already cooked) chicken and sauce separately so this works better if you are making it for a future night. Both will freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and combine when ready to serve.



More delicious chicken recipes!

  • EASY Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe
  • Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
  • Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
  • Chicken Pot Pie Soup Recipe
  • Poppy Seed Chicken Recipe
  • Apple Cider Chicken Skillet
  • Garlic Ginger Chicken

Want to print or save this recipe?

Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat

Melissa Coleman
This Panda Express Orange Chicken copycat might just be better than the original. A simple ingredient recipe that will have you saving a ton and skipping the lines at the restaurant.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Main Dish Recipes
Servings 3 -4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package of chicken breast cubed
  • 1 cup flour
  • ⅓ cup cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • ½ tablespoon of Natures Seasoning
  • 2 eggs

Ingredients for Sauce

  • 1 orange you'll need the juice and zest
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water

Instructions
 

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, add all the sauce ingredients and bring to a slow boil. Once slow boiling, reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Stir every couple of minutes to prevent the sauce from sticking. Let sit on warm while the chicken cooks.
  • In a mixing bowl, mix together the spices, flour, and cornstarch. In a separate bowl whisk the egg.
  • Coat the chicken in the flour, and then dredge in egg. Return chicken back to flour and fully coat.
  • Place the breaded chicken in an oil-sprayed air fryer basket. Spray chicken with oil. You can also cook this chicken in a skillet with oil, whichever you choose but in this specific recipe, we are using the air fryer.
  • Cook on 380 for 10 minutes. Once all chicken is cooked, increase sauce heat to low medium, and add fried chicken. Stir until the chicken is completely coated.
Want even more?Follow @todayscreativeideas

More Main Dish Recipes

  • Hamburger Hash Brown Cassrole with some put on a separate dish.
    Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
  • Easy Chicken and Dumplings with Canned Biscuits
  • Lazy Summer Dinner Ideas
  • Lasagna Soup Recipe

Reader Interactions

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Current Popular Posts:

  • Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
  • Homemade Banana Pudding
  • How to replace vertical blinds
  • Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
  • Easy Southern Meatloaf Recipe

Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.

DON'T MISS A SINGLE POST!
SUBSCRIBE TO GET OUR NEWSLETTER.

Footer

↑ back to top

Connect Socially


  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

About Me & Contact Info


  • About
  • Contact

Legal Terms & Privacy


  • Terms and Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy

Affiliate Disclaimer


We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2024 Today's Creative Ideas

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.