If you want the taste of dining out at Panda Express without paying restaurant prices, you'll love this copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe. It uses cornstarch for the breading, so it's a great gluten-free option.
Here's how to make the Orange Chicken:
Place a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add a thin layer of oil – just enough to cover the surface of the pan (about 3 tablespoons).
Pour the cornstarch into a large bowl, and sprinkle on the salt and pepper. Place the coated chicken into the hot pan, spreading it out so it’s in an even layer. Continue cooking the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is cooked through and turns a golden brown.
While the chicken is cooking, whisk together all remaining ingredients in a small bowl for the sauce. Once the chicken has completed the cooking process, remove it from the pan, place it on a plate and set it aside.
Pour the sauce mixture into the hot skillet and allow it to simmer until it thickens slightly. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits stuck to the pan to incorporate into the sauce.
Turn off the heat, add the chicken back into the pan, and toss it lightly to completely coat each piece in the sauce. Garnish with sliced fresh green onions, toasted sesame seeds and even a little extra orange zest if desired.
Serve with steamed rice and broccoli.
Panda Express Copycat Orange Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- ¼ cup gluten free soy sauce
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- Optional: extra orange zest, sliced fresh green onions and/or toasted sesame seeds to garnish
Instructions
- Place a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add a thin layer of oil – just enough to cover the surface of the pan (about 3 tablespoons).
- Pour the cornstarch into a large bowl, and sprinkle on the salt and pepper.
- Place the coated chicken into the hot pan, spreading it out so it’s in an even layer.
- Continue cooking the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is cooked through and turns a golden brown.
- While chicken is cooking, whisk together all remaining ingredients in a small bowl for the sauce.
- Once chicken has completed the cooking process, remove it from the pan, place it on a plate and set aside.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the hot skillet and allow it to simmer until it thickens slightly. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits stuck to the pan to incorporate into the sauce.
- Turn off the heat, add the chicken back into the pan, and toss it lightly to completely coat each piece in the sauce.
- Garnish with sliced fresh green onions, toasted sesame seeds and even a little extra orange zest if desired. Serve with steamed rice and broccoli.
Dona
It was SO good!! Your pictures are absolutely stunning and I am so jealous! Thanks again for making my birthday so special!