Original Orange Chicken by Panda Express
About this recipe
Orange Chicken is a beloved dish that brings the flavors of sweet and sour together with crispy fried chicken. This recipe, inspired by Panda Express, focuses on using chicken thighs for their moisture and tenderness, ensuring each bite is juicy and flavorful.
In this version, the chicken is coated in a wet batter that creates a light, crispy crust, while a homemade orange sauce adds the perfect tangy sweetness. The use of sesame oil at the end gives it a lovely sheen and depth of flavor.
Ingredient notes
- Use chicken thighs cut into 1-inch cubes for the best texture and moisture retention.
Tips from Tasty’s video
- Fry the chicken in batches of about 25 pieces at 350°F (175°C) for at least 6 minutes to ensure a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
- When frying, remember that the chicken will darken slightly as it rests, so aim for a lighter shade when removing it from the oil.
- For the sauce, reduce the orange juice, vinegar, sugar, and salt until it reaches a maple syrup consistency for the best coating.
Good to know
- What type of chicken should I use for this recipe?
- Use chicken thighs cut into 1-inch cubes for the best texture and moisture retention.
- How long should I fry the chicken?
- Fry the chicken for at least 6 minutes until golden brown.
- What consistency should the sauce be?
- The sauce should be reduced to a maple syrup consistency.
- What does sesame oil add to the dish?
- Sesame oil adds an extra sheen and toasted nuttiness to the dish.
No life story here — the video and the recipe are the whole point. All credit to Tasty: watch the original on YouTube.
The recipe
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes.
- 2
Prepare a wet batter using all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and egg.
- 3
Coat the chicken pieces in the wet batter.
- 4
Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- 5
Fry the chicken in batches of about 25 pieces for at least 6 minutes until golden brown.
- 6
Remove the chicken and let it rest; it will darken slightly in color.
- 7
In a saucepan, combine orange juice, vinegar, sugar, and salt to create the sauce.
- 8
Bring the sauce to a boil and reduce until it reaches a maple syrup consistency.
- 9
Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat.
- 10
Drizzle sesame oil over the chicken for added flavor and sheen.
Heads up — we had to guess a little:
- The quantity of chicken is inferred based on typical serving sizes for fried chicken dishes.
Credit where it’s due: this recipe was transcribed from Tasty’s original video on YouTube. Follow them there — it’s their dish.
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