Hot Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat)
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Hot Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat): A Fiery Feast Made Easy. This homemade version brings together crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and spicy orange sauce, making it the perfect dish for busy weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll enjoy a satisfying meal that rivals your favorite takeout. Imagine tender chicken enveloped in a tangy glaze, complemented by the warmth of chili peppers. This recipe not only delivers on flavor but also transforms your cooking experience into a fun culinary adventure.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4 people 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp oil for egg wash
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp white pepper
- Oil for frying
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 orange, zest
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 tbsp rice apple vinegar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch for sauce
- 1 tbsp green onions, sliced
- 2 tbsp oil for stir-frying
- ½ cup dried whole red chili peppers
- 6 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by coating it with a mixture of cornstarch, flour, salt, and white pepper. Dip each piece in an egg wash before frying.
- Fry the coated chicken in oil until golden brown and crispy, then set aside to drain.
- For the orange sauce, combine orange juice, zest, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, and cornstarch in a saucepan over medium heat until thickened.
- In a clean pan, stir-fry dried chili peppers with garlic and ginger before adding the fried chicken and orange sauce together until well-coated.
- Serve hot over rice or noodles and garnish with sliced green onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg