Description
Panda Express Orange Chicken is a beloved takeout favorite featuring crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a tangy, sweet, and savory homemade orange sauce. This recipe delivers the perfect balance of citrusy zest and rich flavor, making it an irresistible dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 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: Place the all-purpose flour in one bowl. In another bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly. This setup is necessary for dredging the chicken.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the beaten eggs, then coat it evenly with the flour. This creates a crispy crust when fried.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a skillet and heat over medium-high heat until hot enough for frying, generally around 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully add the breaded chicken pieces to the hot oil. Fry them until they turn golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Use paper towels to drain excess oil once cooked.
- Make the Orange Sauce: In a saucepan, combine fresh orange juice, orange zest, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and fresh minced ginger. Heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble and slightly thickens.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the saucepan and toss thoroughly so each piece is generously coated with the orange sauce, ensuring maximum flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best vibrant citrus flavor.
- Maintain the oil temperature for even frying without soggy chicken.
- You can adjust sugar quantity to taste if you prefer a sweeter or tangier sauce.
- Serve orange chicken immediately for best texture and flavor, ideally with steamed rice and vegetables.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated without the sauce to maintain crispiness, then re-tossed before serving.
