Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat Recipe) - Foxy Folksy (2024)

Forget takeout! This homemade version of Panda Express’s Orange Chicken will blow you away with its deliciously sweet-sour, zesty, and mildly spicy flavors. It is made of crunchy chicken bites doused in a delicious citrus-flavored sauce that will dazzle your taste buds for sure.

While Panda Express is a popular Chinese food chain in the US, it has only been a few years since its first branch in the Philippines opened. This, however, did not stop folks from instantly going in there and trying their talk-of-town, claim-to-fame Orange Chicken! So, for those who do not have the privilege of living near a branch, like us, here is our take on their famous dish.

This is not my first rodeo in making copycat recipes of famous dishes, though. I have tried making Charlie Chan, Mojo Potatoes, Choco Butternut Munchkins, and stir-fry Chao Fan before. I think that it is always nice to be able to recreate signature dishes at home and make them your own. It saves you money and you can make changes that fit your lifestyle or taste.

What is Orange Chicken?

Orange Chicken is one of the most popular dishes found in Chinese restaurants. It is not, however, a traditional Chinese recipe; it was invented and popularized by American-Chinese restaurants.

This Orange Chicken copycat recipe uses chicken thigh fillets cut into bite-sized pieces, dredged in batter, and fried to golden perfection. The crispy chicken pieces are then tossed in an orange sauce made with orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, and chili flakes. Orange zest is added to the dish to achieve the signature citrus-orange flavor. With its sweet, zesty, and mildly spicy flavors, this dish will definitely tickle your tastebuds!

Ingredients You'll Need

For the breaded chicken:

• Chicken thigh fillets - cut into 1-inch squares. I prefer chicken thighs because they are juicy and flavorful. However, you may also use chicken breast as a healthier alternative.
• Ginger- adds a zesty flavor to the chicken. Ginger also helps tenderize the meat and is a great addition to any marinade.
• Fish sauce- this well-loved Asian sauce adds a flair of oriental taste and umami flavor to the dish. If you do not have this, you can use salt and adjust the amount according to taste.
• White ground pepper- has a subtler flavor than black pepper. In a pinch, you may also use finely ground black pepper.
• Egg- aside from keeping the meat moist and juicy, this also helps properly coat the chicken pieces.
• Cornstarch- this will give the chicken a crunchy and fluffy exterior when deep-fried than flour.
• Oil- you can use canola or corn oil for deep frying.

For the Orange Sauce:

• Orange- I used a big orange for the zest and freshly squeezed juice. The zest is a key ingredient in this recipe, so make sure you do not skip it!
• Cornstarch- to thicken the sauce.
• Brown sugar- you may also use coconut or muscovado sugar.
• Vinegar- provides a tangy undertone to the sauce. You can use rice vinegar or white vinegar for this recipe.
• Soy sauce- regular soy sauce was used in this recipe, but you may also use light soy sauce.
• Chili flakes- for that punch of spiciness in every bite, fresh chilis can also be used.
• Water
• Salt- as needed.

Foxy Tips in cooking Orange Chicken

• Make sure to place the orange zest in a sealed container to keep it fresh and moist. Dried-up zest is no longer as flavorful and aromatic.
• The oil should be hot enough to make the chicken pieces light and crunchy on the outside. Test it by dipping a chopstick in the oil. If it bubbles up immediately, you are good to go.
• Deep-fry the chicken pieces in batches if needed. If you overcrowd the pan, the oil temperature will drop and the chicken breading will absorb more oil and become soggy rather than crispy.
• While it is known for its signature citrusy, sweet, and spicy sauce, you can omit or reduce the chili flakes to make it kid-friendly.
• To make this dish vegetarian, you may substitute the chicken with tofu. Just make sure to remove excess liquid from the tofu as much as possible.

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Serving and Storing Notes

This dish pairs well with steamed white rice or fried rice. For added flavor and texture, top your Orange Chicken with sesame seeds, chopped spring onions, or more orange zest!

Place leftovers in a lidded container and refrigerate for up to four days. It is also great for making ahead as it can be frozen for a month or two. This makes it a great addition to your weekly or monthly meal plan.

You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. When reheating, you may need to add a little water to reconstitute the sauce. If frozen, thaw before reheating.

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