Better than Panda Express? Seriously?! Yes! This orange flavored chicken dish really does taste better than Panda Express, and it’s healthier, too.
Better than Panda Express Orange Chicken.
I’m not going to lie. This better than Panda Express Orange Flavored Chicken is not something to whip up at 6 o’clock after a long day at work. But even with prep, shooting photos, and cooking simultaneously, I was able to make this restaurant quality dish in just over an hour. The recipe is straight from Cook’s Illustrated, which is one of my favorite cooking mags. Although I usually tweak recipes to suit our family, I did not change a thing this time, and it was absolutely perfect! My girl’s favorite fast food is Panda Express, but I cringe when they want to get the orange flavored chicken.
Better than Panda Express Orange Chicken.
It’s heavily breaded and then deep-fried, and served in a gloppy sauce. Consequently, we never get it more than a couple of times a year. I was drawn to this recipe, because of the lack of heavy flour or panko breading. And while the pieces are coated in corn starch, the coating is very light. The tangy sauce has a bright, fresh orange flavor, which comes from the zest, peel, and juice of two oranges.
Zest the one orange, cut the peel off the second, into 8 2 inch strips. Juice oranges to get 3/4 cup.
This better than Panda Express orange chicken is a perfect weekend dinner treat, at a fraction of the cost of Chinese takeout.
The family absolutely loved it, and are already begging me to make it again! There are a couple of key points to a successful outcome. First, start the chicken marinating right away. It needs 30 minutes to 1 hour. Second, set up pie plates with egg whites and cornstarch mixture next to a baking sheet with wire racks.
Set up two pie plates next to a baking sheet with a wire rack.
Make sure that you pat the chicken dry after draining the marinade to help the coating stick. Third, it’s important that the oil is kept at a constant temperature of 350 degrees F. If you own a fry baby (affiliate links), or something similar, this is not a problem. I actually don’t, so I used a clip-on thermometer in a large Dutch oven. Keeping the heat consistent means that the chicken will cook quickly and will not be greasy. When the temperature dips below 350 degrees, the breading will absorb the oil and become heavy and sodden. I fried the pieces up in about four batches.
Fry chicken in batches and drain on paper towel until ready to serve.
I checked my thermometer between each batch, adjusting the heat as needed so that it stayed at 350 degrees.
Make ahead tip: Because I wanted to shoot photos of this during the day and eat it at night, I fried all of the pieces. I put them onto a baking sheet lined with paper towels, covered it, and refrigerated it for several hours. When I was ready to serve, I reheated the chicken in the oven at 425 degrees F., for about 15 minutes.
I hope you’ll try this recipe and let me know if you think it is better than Panda Express!
- Marinade and sauce:
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1½ inch pieces.
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup orange juice, 1½ teaspoons grated zest, and 8 strips of orange peel (each about 2 inches long by ½ inch wide) from 2 oranges.
- 6 Tablespoons white vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced, about 1 Tablespoon
- 1 piece ginger, (about 1 inch) minced, about 1 Tablespoon
- ¼ teaspoon
- 1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons cold water
- 8 small whole dried red chiles (optional)
- Coating and frying:
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 cup corn starch
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 cups peanut oil
- For the marinade: mix broth, juice, zest vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger and cayenne pepper in a large bowl. Measure out ¾ cup of marinade and pour over chicken pieces. Set aside for 30 to 60 minutes.
- While chicken is marinating, place remaining 1½ cups marinade in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. In a small bowl, stir together cold water and cornstarch.
- Whisk cornstarch mixture into sauce and reduce heat to a simmer. Stir occasionally until sauce is thick and translucent, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and add chiles and orange peel.
- For the coating:
- In one pie plate, whisk egg whites. In a second pie plate mix cornstarch, ½ teaspoon cayenne and ½ teaspoon baking soda.
- Drain the chicken and discard marinade. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
- Dip each chicken piece in egg whites and then in cornstarch mixture. Set chicken on wire rack until ready to fry.
- To fry the chicken:
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven, fry baby or electric skillet to 350 degrees F. (Use a clip on thermometer if you don't have an electric fryer.)
- Carefully place chicken pieces in hot oil, one piece at a time, and fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side, frying about ¼ of the chicken at a time.
- Drain pieces on a paper towel lined platter or baking sheet.
- Finishing:
- Reheat orange sauce over medium heat until simmering. Add chicken and gently toss until even coated and heated through. Serve immediately.
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Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
This looks just delicious! So many great levels of flavor, with the garlic, ginger, soy sauce and orange juice! I love that you incorporate really great tips, too, about patting the chicken dry and keeping the temp constant. So helpful to have those kinds of tips! Wonderful post! 😀
Cynthia says
Thanks Shelly! The sauce was so delicious that I’m thinking it’ll go on pork chops tonight!
Melissa Bierman says
Looks like this would be yummy and tangy! Perfect with steamed rice.
Cynthia says
It was incredibly good Melissa!
Anna | ANNAdventure says
Yum! This looks and sounds amazing! I love orange flavored chicken and this one sounds like its packed with flavor 🙂
Cynthia says
Anna, the orange sauce really made it! It was tangy and a little spicy, and so fresh tasting!
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
I am seriously going to make this! My kids always order orange chicken when we get Chinese food and I’ve never even tried making it at home.
I know if you made it, it has to be good!
Cynthia says
It was great Christina, and well worth the effort!
Sheena @ Tea and Biscuits says
That looks fantastic Cynthia! I have recreated a couple of Chinese dishes like that at home, but have not tried an orange one, I’m going to pin it and try it for sure, if the broth and soy sauce are gluten free then you have a perfect meal for your gluten free friends!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
I love this recipe Cynthia! Before I saw it, I had no idea that we had a Panda Express in our area, and now I know. I’m definitely going to have to check it out. And then, I’m trying your version, because I am sure it is much better at home! Pinned, so I have it ready when I need it!
Cynthia says
Oh, their version is delicious, but heavily battered and definitely not as light! We love the sauce too, so tangy and fresh tasting!
Jenn @ A Toast to the Good Life says
Oh wow. This looks DELICIOUS! I LOVE orange chicken – and will definitely be giving this a try!
Cynthia says
my family loves orange chicken too Jenn! this was a huge hit in our house!
Kaitlin says
Oh wow! This looks delicious, and definitely more healthy! I love orange chicken, but I, too, try to resist the urge of Panda Express. I’d love to try making it at home!
nibbles by nic says
This is so amazing! I love love love orange chicken!!!!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
I’m a big fan of orange chicken, definitely have to try this!