Panda Express Orange Chicken
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Homemade orange chicken recipe as good as take out. A great side for rice or noodles. Sub the chicken for paneer or tofu for a vegetarian version. The perfect recipe for anyone in India or abroad missing that specific shopping-mall comfort food fix, making it a great alternative to standard Indo-Chinese chili chicken.
Author:
Recipe type: Dinner, lunch, main
Cuisine: American Chinese
Serves: serves 3-4
Ingredients
For the chicken:
  • 400 gms chicken, cut into bite sized pcs (I generally use thighs but you can use breasts as well; also these days I brine the chicken for 30 minutes, while I do the other prep)
  • 1 egg
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • ¼ cup flour
For the sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 4 tbsp sugar/ brown sugar will also do (or to taste)
  • Zest and juice of 1 orange
To finish:
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp ginger minced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • ½ tsp chilli flakes (or to taste)
Instructions
For the chicken:
  1. If brining, add the chicken pieces to a bowl filled with 500 ml water mixed with 2 tbsp salt for 30 minutes. Remove and pat dry.
  2. Combine egg, salt pepper and 1 tbsp oil. Whisk together to combine
  3. In another bowl add ½ cup cornstarch plus ¼ cup flour. Mix together.
  4. Heat oil for deep frying. Once oil is hot, reduce heat to medium. Dip chicken bites in the egg mix and then in flour mix to coat evenly, shaking the excess off.
  5. Fry the chicken for 3-5 minutes till light golden and crisp and chicken is cooked. Let cool on rack.
  6. In a bowl, mix the ingredients listed under sauce and keep aside.
To finish:
  1. In 2 tbsp oil, add ginger and minced garlic. Add the chilli flakes and fry for 10 seconds.
  2. Pour in the sauce and bring to a boil.
  3. Add the chicken and stir well.
  4. Garnish with spring onions.
Recipe by The Novice Housewife at https://novicehousewife.com/2020/05/30/panda-express-orange-chicken/