Copycat Panda Express Hot Orange Chicken (Sweet, Spicy, and Crispy!)

This Copycat Panda Express Hot Orange Chicken is a game-changer! It captures all the delicious flavors of the popular takeout dish, with crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet, spicy, and tangy orange sauce. I love how this recipe lets you enjoy your favorite restaurant meal at home, and it's surprisingly easy to make. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner, a family meal, or any time you're craving that classic Panda Express flavor. Get ready for a dish that's even better than the original!

Why You'll Love This Hot Orange Chicken

• Tastes Like Panda Express: This recipe captures the signature sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors of Panda Express Orange Chicken.
• Crispy Chicken: The chicken is double-coated in a cornstarch and flour mixture, resulting in extra-crispy fried chicken.
• Delicious Orange Sauce: The homemade orange sauce is made with fresh orange juice and zest for a bright, citrusy flavor.
• Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward and uses simple ingredients.
• Customizable Heat: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level.

Ingredients for Hot Orange Chicken

Here's what you'll need to make this copycat recipe. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Chicken

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-2" inch pieces (Meat)
• Cornstarch (for coating)
• All-purpose flour (for coating)
• Eggs (Binder)
• Canola or vegetable oil (for frying and cooking)
• Salt (Seasoning)
• White pepper (Spice)

Orange Sauce

• Orange juice (Liquid)
• Orange, zest of (Flavoring)
• Soy sauce (Condiment)
• Rice wine vinegar (Acid)
• Brown sugar (Sweetener)
• Sesame oil (Flavoring)
• Cornstarch (Thickener)
• Green onions, sliced (plus extra for garnish) (Vegetable)

Stir-Fry

• Canola or vegetable oil (Oil)
• Dried whole red chili peppers (Spice)
• Red pepper flakes (Spice)
• Sesame oil (Flavoring)
• Garlic, minced (Aromatic)
• Ginger, grated (optional) (Aromatic)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this Hot Orange Chicken as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

• Adjust the Heat: Use more or fewer red pepper flakes and dried chili peppers to control the spice level.
• Add Vegetables: Stir-fry some broccoli florets, bell peppers, or snap peas along with the chicken.
• Use a Different Protein: Try this recipe with shrimp, tofu, or even beef.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and tamari instead of soy sauce.
• Add Pineapple: Add chunks

How to Make Hot Orange Chicken

Let me show you how to make this delicious Copycat Panda Express Hot Orange Chicken:

Make The Orange Sauce

1. In a medium bowl, I whisk together all of the ingredients for the sauce (orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and green onions).
2. I cover it and set it aside until it's ready to be used in the final step.

Prep and Bread Chicken

1. I prep the dredge by adding the cornstarch and flour together in a shallow pie dish (or similar).
2. I whisk in the salt and white pepper until it's evenly distributed.
3. In a medium bowl, I whisk together the eggs with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. I whisk vigorously until the egg is no longer stringy and the mixture starts to emulsify.
4. I start to get the oil heated to 375 degrees F (190°C) in a heavy-bottom skillet, wok, or deep saute pan. I attach a thermometer to best manage the heat.
5. While the oil is heating, I work in batches, placing the diced chicken pieces into the egg wash.
6. I coat the chicken well, then toss it into the dredging flour.
7. I coat the chicken pieces well on all sides, making sure no chicken shows through the breading.

Fry the Chicken

1. I dust off the excess flour and carefully fry the chicken in batches for about 3 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Be sure to adjust the heat as it will drop once the chicken is added.
2. I place the cooked chicken on a wire rack to drain off any excess oil.

Stir Fry in Wok

1. In a wok, I add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and heat it over medium-high heat.
2. I add in the dried chili peppers and red pepper flakes.
3. I heat them through for about 15 seconds, stirring constantly.
4. I add in the minced garlic (and ginger, if using) and sesame oil and cook for another 15 seconds, stirring constantly.

Thicken Sauce and Combine

1. I pour the prepared orange sauce into the wok.
2. It will start to bubble on the edges and begin to thicken, about 2 minutes.
3. I add the crispy chicken pieces to the sauce and toss multiple times to coat them well and warm the chicken back up, about 1 minute.

Serve

1. Serve over rice.

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Crispy Chicken

Here are my secrets for making this chicken extra crispy and flavorful:

• Double Coating: Coating the chicken in both an egg wash and a flour/cornstarch mixture creates an extra-crispy crust.
• Hot Oil: Make sure the oil is hot enough (375°F/190°C) before adding the chicken. This helps to create a crispy crust and prevents the chicken from absorbing too much oil.
• Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the chicken in batches to ensure it cooks evenly and gets crispy.
• Use a Wire Rack: Placing the cooked chicken on a wire rack allows excess oil to drain off, keeping the chicken crispy.
• Fresh Orange Juice and Zest: Using fresh orange juice and zest adds a bright, citrusy flavor to the sauce.

How to Serve

This Hot Orange Chicken is delicious served with:

• Rice: White rice, brown rice, or fried rice are all great options.
• Noodles: Serve it over lo mein, chow mein, or rice noodles.
• Steamed Vegetables: Add a side of steamed broccoli, green beans, or bok choy.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can prepare the orange sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Leftover chicken and sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or in the microwave.

FAQs about Hot Orange Chicken

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
  • Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They may take a bit longer to cook.
• Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it?
  • Yes, you can
• Can I make this without the chili peppers?
  • Yes, you can.

Enjoy this delicious and easy-to-make Copycat Panda Express Hot Orange Chicken! It's a flavorful and satisfying meal that's sure to become a new family favorite.

Print