The Best Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

If you are like me, orange chicken is one of my favorite Americanized Chinese foods. I love the sweet sauce with the crispy chicken. What is great is this is fresher and crispier. This is also a great copy cat from the Trader Joe’s version as well. To me they taste the same but both don’t have the best ingredients. So let’s make a lighter and healthier version!

For our chicken, first dice it into small pieces about 1 inch thick. In the same bowl add your egg and cornstarch. Mix well. It will get sticky. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside while you make the sauce.

For the sauce, mix in a bowl except the cornstarch. In a hot wok fry your chicken until golden brown. Remove the oil and toss the chicken in with the sauce. Add the cornstarch mixture into the wok as this will thicken the sauce.

Toss until it is all coated and serve over rice.

The Best Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe

This Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken is crispy, sweet, and tangy—just like your favorite takeout! Made with juicy chicken, a fresh orange sauce, and no unnecessary additives, this homemade version is healthier, fresher, and even more delicious. Perfect for serving over rice for a quick and easy meal!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, American-Asian, Chinese

Servings 4

Equipment

• Wok or Deep Frying Pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Tongs or Spatula
• Whisk

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts diced into 1-inch pieces
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

For the Orange Sauce:

• ⅓ cup fresh orange juice about 2 juicy oranges
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1½ tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• ½ tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water cornstarch slurry

For Serving:

• Steamed white rice
• Green onions or sesame seeds optional garnish

Instructions

 

1️⃣ Prepare the Chicken

• Dice chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. In a bowl, mix chicken, egg, and cornstarch. Season with salt and pepper. Let sit in the fridge while you prepare the sauce.

2️⃣ Make the Orange Sauce

• In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, zest, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Set aside.

3️⃣ Coat the Chicken

• Sprinkle flour over the marinated chicken and toss until evenly coated.

4️⃣ Fry the Chicken

• Heat oil in a wok or deep pan over high heat. Fry chicken for 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain excess oil.

5️⃣ Toss the Chicken in the Sauce

• Discard excess oil from the wok. Return fried chicken to the pan and pour in the orange sauce. Stir well to coat.

6️⃣ Thicken the Sauce

• Add the cornstarch slurry and stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.

7️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!

• Serve immediately over steamed white rice. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy!

Keyword copycat, orange chicken