Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken
This Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken tastes just like your favorite Chinese take-out!
Did you know you could make your favorite “mall Chinese” food at home? From start to finish we are only talking about 25 minutes. I honestly had no idea how easy this recipe was to make. Once I tried it the first time, I was hooked on this copycat recipe!
Is this Panda Express Recipe Gluten Free?
- Yep! Because you are coating the chicken in corn starch, that makes this not only easier than your tradition chicken coating, but makes it gluten free as well. Just make sure you are using gluten free soy sauce.
What should I serve my Orange Chicken with?
- We love to serve the orange chicken on some ramen noodles, or rice, with a side of steamed broccoli.
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
- You sure can. Just make sure you get boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
Copycat Panda Express 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. Add your chicken pieces into the bowl and toss until all chicken is well coated.
- 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.
Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken
This Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken tastes just like your favorite Chinese take-out! Plus this recipe is also gluten free.
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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
- Option: 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.
- Add your chicken pieces into the bowl and toss until all chicken is well coated.
- 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.
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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