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Crispy Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe with Sweet Tangy Sauce Easy and Delicious

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy orange chicken with a sweet and tangy sauce, inspired by Panda Express. Perfect for weeknight dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
  • Vegetable or canola oil for frying (enough for 2-inch depth in pan)
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Whisk eggs in a large bowl. In another bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Dip chicken pieces into beaten eggs, then dredge in flour-cornstarch mixture. Set coated pieces on a wire rack.
  4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large skillet to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Fry chicken in batches for about 3 minutes until coating is set but not golden. Drain on paper towels.
  6. Increase oil temperature to 375°F (190°C). Fry chicken again for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain and set aside.
  7. In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  8. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens to a glossy consistency. Remove from heat.
  9. Toss double-fried chicken pieces in warm orange sauce until evenly coated. Serve hot.

Notes

Double frying is key to achieving a crispy coating that holds up under the sauce. Pat chicken dry before coating to improve crispiness. Keep oil temperature steady between 350°F and 375°F. Freshly squeezed orange juice makes a big flavor difference. Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying. Sauce can be made ahead and stored up to 3 days in the fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: orange chicken, Panda Express copycat, crispy chicken, sweet tangy sauce, easy dinner, double fried chicken

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/crispy-panda-express-orange-chicken-recipe-with-sweet-tangy-sauce-easy-and-delicious/